Two stolen Nepali idols returned to Nepal from USA

Kathmandu. Two valuable idols of Nepal, stolen and taken to America, have been returned to Nepal. The Consulate General of Nepal in New York and Colonel Matthew Bogdanos, head of the Antiquities Trafficking Unit of the New York District Attorney's Office, signed the handover agreement at a special handover ceremony held today at the Consulate General of Nepal in New York. The New York District Attorney's Office formally handed over the ownership of the idols of Padmapani and Nrityadevi to the Government of Nepal. According to a press release issued by the Consulate General, the 13th-century bronze idol of Padmapani is considered an unparalleled artwork of Anupam Kala Kriti of Thamel (Vikramshila Mahavihar, Bhagwanbahal) in Kathmandu. The last photograph of the idol was recorded in 1971, and it is believed to have been illegally brought to America sometime between 1971 and 1977. Similarly, the 16th-century wooden idol of Nrityadevi is considered an excellent example of wood carving from Ibah Bahil in Lalitpur. It is estimated that the idol was stolen and taken to America sometime between 1969 and 1983. Later, this idol was recovered from the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. Both these artifacts were recovered and handed over to Nepal by the New York District Attorney's Office in collaboration with the US Homeland Security Investigations and other partner organizations. On the occasion, Consul General Bhandari expressed gratitude on behalf of the Government and the people of Nepal to the US government, the New York District Attorney's Office, Homeland Security Investigations, researchers, museums, heritage conservationists, and community members. He stated that the search for these invaluable cultural heritage, regaining ownership for Nepal, and repatriation were made possible through the joint efforts of all. He said that the developing cooperation between Nepal and America to control the illegal trafficking of cultural heritage is an excellent example of international partnership and a symbol of commitment to the conservation of shared cultural heritage. He thanked the Nepali community and community organizations in America, especially the Newa Guthi New York, for their contribution to the conservation and promotion of Nepal's cultural heritage. It has been informed that both these artifacts will be sent to Nepal on June 25 after the handover. The transportation and management work will be coordinated by the Consulate General of Nepal and Newa Guthi New York, and representatives of the Guthi will travel with the artifacts to Nepal. After arriving in Kathmandu, these artifacts will be handed over to the Department of Archaeology and other concerned government bodies. The ceremony was attended by representatives from the New York District Attorney's Office, Homeland Security Investigations, Newa Guthi, the Metropolitan Museum, professors, members of the Nepali community, heritage conservationists, and media persons.