Two priceless cultural artifacts that were stolen from Nepal and taken to the United States have been returned to their rightful owner, the Government of Nepal.

At a special repatriation ceremony held Wednesday at the Consulate General of Nepal in New York, the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office formally transferred ownership of the sculptures of Padmapani and the Dancing Goddess to the Government of Nepal.

During the ceremony, Nepal’s Consul General in New York, Dadhiram Bhandari, and Colonel Matthew Bogdanos, head of the Antiquities Trafficking Unit of the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office, signed the transfer agreement.

According to a statement issued by the Consulate General, the 13th-century bronze sculpture of Padmapani is considered a unique masterpiece from Thambahil (Vikramashila Mahavihara/Bahabahal) in Kathmandu. Records indicate that the last known photograph of the sculpture was taken in 1971, and it is believed to have been illegally taken to the United States sometime between 1971 and 1977.

Similarly, the 16th-century wooden sculpture of the Dancing Goddess, regarded as an outstanding example of woodcarving from Ibaha Bahi in Lalitpur, is believed to have been stolen and taken to the United States sometime between 1969 and 1983. The artifact was later recovered from the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.

Both cultural treasures were recovered and returned through the efforts of the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office in cooperation with U.S. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and other partner agencies.

On the occasion, Consul General Bhandari expressed gratitude on behalf of the Government and people of Nepal to the U.S. government, the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office, Homeland Security Investigations, researchers, museums, heritage preservation advocates, and community members. He noted that the combined efforts of all involved made it possible to locate the artifacts, restore Nepal’s ownership, and facilitate their return.

He described the growing cooperation between Nepal and the United States in combating the illicit trafficking of cultural property as an excellent example of international partnership and a symbol of the shared commitment to preserving cultural heritage.

Bhandari also thanked the Nepali community in the United States and community organizations, particularly Newa Guthi New York, for their contributions to the preservation and promotion of Nepal’s cultural heritage.

Following the handover, both artifacts are scheduled to be transported to Nepal on June 25. Transportation and logistical arrangements will be coordinated by the Consulate General of Nepal and Newa Guthi New York, with representatives of the organization accompanying the artifacts on their journey back to Nepal.

Upon arrival in Kathmandu, the cultural treasures will be handed over to the Department of Archaeology and other relevant government agencies.

The ceremony was attended by representatives from the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office, Homeland Security Investigations, Newa Guthi, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, academics, members of the Nepali community, heritage conservation advocates, and media representatives.

Source: Rastriya Samachar Samiti (RSS)