Throughout the world, Global Heritage Fund works with communities and partners to save the world’s most endangered historic places. Nada Hosking, Director of Partners and Programs, and Katerina Acuna, Development Manager, recently visited our project sites in Rajasthan, India, and Patan, Nepal.
This second part of our two-part series visits the Visheveshvara Temple in Patan, Nepal. Along with Kuanghan Li, Director of the China Heritage Program, Nada and Katerina shared the successes of our recent #RestoreNepal campaign and witnessed firsthand the importance of community involvement for effective and sustainable conservation projects.
Amer Fort in Rajasthan was just one stop in the GHF team’s recent travels. In addition to India, Nada and Katerina also visited Patan, Nepal, where GHF is partnering with local conservators to restore the magnificent Vishveshvara Temple. Our ongoing supporters may recall last year’s campaign, when GHF raised nearly double our project goal with the help of our amazing supporters. These funds have been used to reconstruct the Vishveshvara temple, destroyed by the Gorkha earthquake.
In 2015, a massive 7.8 magnitude earthquake devastated Nepal, wiping out homes and communities. Over 9,000 people died, and tens of thousands were injured. Even years later, families and communities are still recovering from their losses. In addition to the immense human cost, Nepal’s people have also had to contend with destruction of their centralized spaces, such as town squares and religious centers where they would typically gather to grieve.
PATAN DURBAR, NEPAL The Visheshvara Temple in Patan Durbar Square, Nepal undergoing restoration work. ©Scott Newman
GHF has joined with the community of Patan in the Kathmandu Valley to rebuild one of their most beautiful temples. In partnership with the Kathmandu Valley Preservation Trust, we have been working to restore the Vishveshvara Temple in Patan’s Durbar Square. The temple is a central hub for the citizens of Patan and has been in ruins for the past two years. Through reconstruction, the Vishveshvara Temple can again be a space for the community to reconnect with its history and heal from the earthquakes lingering effects.
From the beginning, the Patan community has been heavily involved in the reconstruction of the Vishveshvara Temple. Immediately after the earthquake, community members rallied together to salvage as much of the rubble as possible, relocating the remains to a safe location and even organizing it for future evaluation. This immediate, methodical response was key for preserving as much of the original material as possible, allowing for the future rebuilding of the temple.
A local artisan works on reconstruction at the Vishveshvara Temple.
In addition to community first responders, local artisans have been employed to recreate necessary materials that could not be salvaged from the remains. The people of Patan are renowned for their crafts and excellent artisan work — in fact, the last names of many people refers to the traditional craft practiced by their family for generations. To restore Vishveshvara, local woodworkers have labored to create new building materials while respecting the past, ensuring that the temple maintains its history throughout the reconstruction process.
Nor are reconstruction efforts limited to artisans and craftspeople. The entire temple area is surrounded by an open fence so interested community members can view the reconstruction progress. Rohit Ranjitkar, a conservation architect with the Kathmandu Valley Preservation Trust and our project director for the Vishveshvara Temple restoration, has been very deliberate about providing such access to the community. Rather than concealing the reconstruction status, the fencing structure engages locals in an open and visible process.
Intricate teak carvings and delicate temple architecture are protected by scaffolding during the ongoing reconstruction.
The decision to make reconstruction so inclusive is just one of many vital project decisions that have proven important on the ground. With his invaluable experience and local understanding, Rohit is able to manage delicate community concerns that could otherwise have stalled, or even doomed, reconstruction efforts. One such issue concerns the religious nature of the temple. Vishveshvara is a Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva, as denoted by the bull gate guardians and statue. Traditionally, Hindu temples are built entirely with new materials, and there is a religious disapproval of reusing old materials.
In the case of Vishveshvara, rebuilding the entire temple in teak was economically unfeasible and would exclude the use of any authentic original material. However, disregarding this community concern could have irreparably damaged the historic and religious ties between the site and people, potentially derailing future conservation efforts. Rohit was able to collaborate with the community and reach an understanding that materials could be reused. His sensitivity and cultural inclusion proved the absolute importance of keeping communities involved in heritage projects.
Conservation at Vishveshvara is still ongoing. Thanks to the outpouring from our generous supporters during last year’s #RestoreNepal campaign, reconstruction is continuing steadily and the temple is on schedule to be finished in the original timeline. We are pleased to be able to share this fantastic news, and again thank you all for your support!