Two Historical Masks of Aakash Bhairav Returned to Dolakha Community
Kathmandu. Two historical masks of Aakash Bhairav (Hanthu Deu), stolen about three decades ago and taken to museums in America, have finally returned to their own community in Dolakha. The masks were formally handed over to the local community of Dolakha at a program organized at the National Museum, Chhauni on Wednesday.
These masks, stolen from the ancestral home of the Nakchhe Pradhan family in Dolakha on Falgun 22, 2050 BS and Falgun 24, 2051 BS, were brought back after the fact that they were in the Dallas Museum of Art and Rubin Museum of Art in America became public.
The campaign to bring them back began after heritage conservationist Anilchandra Shrestha made old pictures public on social media during the Indrajatra festival in 2074 BS, reigniting discussions about the lost heritage. Subsequently, with the collection of various evidence, research, and the help of 'Lost Arts of Nepal', it was confirmed that the masks were in American museums.
Old records of idol theft, police complaints, and historical photographs were collected and the official process was initiated at the Department of Archaeology through the Nepal Heritage Conservation Campaign. Subsequently, legal proceedings were advanced in coordination between the Nepal Heritage Recovery Campaign, the Department of Archaeology, and American bodies.
Based on the necessary evidence, the New York Attorney General's office confiscated the masks from both museums and handed them over to the Nepali Consulate General in New York on Mangsir 18, 2080 BS.
With the support of 'Newas Guthi New York', the masks were brought to Nepal. They were then kept at the National Museum, Chhauni for conservation and display.
At the program organized on Wednesday, after the local community members performed prayers and worship, the masks were handed over to the community for re-establishment. It has been informed that the heritage will now be re-established in its original place in Dolakha. Photo: Nepal Photo Library
This specific news has been automatically translated by AI. As a result, there may be some inaccuracies or language errors.
