US Ambassador to Nepal Alaina B. Teplitz and Director General of the Department of Archeology Bhesh Narayan Dahal inaugurated the restoration of the historic Char Narayan temple during a ceremony in Patan Durbar Square.

 The United States Embassy, through the Ambassador’s Fund for Cultural Preservation (AFCP), has provided $100,000 to the Kathmandu Valley Preservation Trust (KVPT) for the restoration of the temple, which was badly damaged during the 2015 earthquakes.

According to a press release issued by U.S. Embassy in Nepal, combined with other donors, the funding will support the seismic strengthening and restoration of the Malla-era Char Narayan temple. Built in 1566, the temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and demonstrates a significant and highly-developed expression of Newari architecture.  The restoration work on the temple is expected to be completed within two years.

“Our work through the Ambassador’s Fund for Cultural Preservation serves as a symbol of the strong, vibrant partnership between our nations, as well as our respect for Nepal’s diverse and rich heritage,” said Ambassador Teplitz.  “As we celebrate the 70th year of diplomatic relations between our two countries, I am pleased to inaugurate the restoration work on Char Narayan as a tangible symbol of our mutual friendship.”

The Ambassador’s Fund for Cultural Preservation is the only U.S. Government program that provides direct grant support for the preservation of cultural heritage in developing countries.  Through the AFCP the U.S. Embassy has supported twenty-two other projects in Nepal since 2003 -- more than in any other country in the world.

With $3.47 million in total investments, AFCP projects in Nepal range from the restoration of the historic Patan Royal Palace, ancient Buddhist “chhortens” in Mustang, the important Hindu site of Machali Pati and the preservation of the 11th century Rinchenling Monastery in Humla, among others.