Kathmandu: The Consulate General of Nepal in New York received two Nepali cultural treasures—Padmapani (13th century) and Nrityadevi (16th century)—from the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office at a special Handover Ceremony held at the Consulate on June 24.
The Minutes of Concurrence were signed by Consul General Dadhiram Bhandari and Col. Matthew Bogdanos, Chief of the Antiquities Unit, formally transferring ownership of these sacred artifacts to the Government of Nepal. Originally trafficked abroad decades ago, these antique artifacts will soon be sent to Nepal in collaboration with Newa Guthi, New York.
Consul General Bhandari and Col. Bogdanos expressed their sincere gratitude to the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office, Homeland Security Investigations, researchers, professors, MET Museum officials, heritage advocates, and the Nepali diaspora—particularly Newa Guthi, New York—whose collective efforts made this historic repatriation possible. This milestone reflects the strong partnership between Nepal and the United States in protecting cultural property and preserving shared heritage.
