Historical statue of Vasudeva-Kamalaja (Laxmi Narayan) handed over to Nepal

KATHMANDU, March 6: Ambassador of Nepal to the United State Yuba Raj Khatiwada received the statue of Vasudeva-Kamalaja, also known as Laxmi Narayan handed over by the representative of the US government.

Deputy Assisant Director of Federal Bureau of Investigation Timothy N. Dunham handed over the Laxmi Narayan statue amidst a special function organized at the Embassy of Nepal in Washington DC. 

The historical artifact of Nepal originally belonged to a temple in Patan, Lalitpur  and had been on display at Dallas Museum of Arts in Texas since 1990. The statue depicts Hindu deities Vishnu and Goddess Laxmi in a dual form, bearing attributes and holding objects that identify both gods. The statue measures 33.5x19.25 inches and dates back to medieval period of Nepal

In his brief regmarks,Ambassador Khatiwada expressed sincere appreciation and gratitude to the US government for its cooperation in reinstating the lost artifact to their original place in Nepal. He argued that this substantial act of cooperation between the two countries in preservation of cultural heritage would immensely contribute to further deepening the multifaceted and long standing close relations between the two countries.

Ambassador Khatiwada also thanked all media, individuals, experts and US agencies involved in this collective effort. He also expressed hope to receive similar cooperation from all in recovering and reinstating other lost artifacts of Nepal. 

Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of the US Department of State Ervin Massinga expressed happiness to be part of the handover ceremony. He mentioned that the US would continue to cooperate with Nepal in preservation and protection of its cultural heritages. 

Deputy Assistant Director Dunham expressed that both Nepal and the US recognize the impact and value of protecting and preserving cultural heritage and will continue work in partnership to return these valuable pieces home.

The cooperation on the restoration of the artifact took place within the framework of the UNESCO Convention on Means of Prohibiting and Preventing the Illicit Import, Export and Transfer of Onwership to Cultural Property 1970. The statue will be transported to Nepal in due course and instablled at appropriate place.