DoA verifies Kirtipur statue is from Lichchhavi era

Kathmandu / Apr 2: The Department of Archeology (DoA) on Monday verified that the Vishnu-Laxmi statue found while reconstructing an earthquake-hit temple in Kirtipur is from the Lichchhavi era (400-750 AD). Locals of Kiritpur Municipality-6, were reconstructing the earthquake-hit Jalapadevi temple on Saturday when they found the statue of Hindu god of preservation Vishnu and his consort goddess of wealth Laxmi.

“The team of officials who had gone on an on-site inspection of the statue on Sunday has already submitted its official report,” spokesperson of the department, Ram Bahadur Kunwar, informed, “Our team’s report has verified that the statue is from the Lichchhavi era.”

It is called the golden era in Nepali history when arti, culture and architecture flourished at its best.

Initially, the locals were surprised after discovering the ancient looking statue a couple of feet under the ground on the temple premises. They had no idea how to respond to the discovery. It was only after a series of procedures including requests to the DoA for an inspection that the statue finally came to the attention of the department.

Spokesperson Kunwar added that the statue has been handed over to the local level for safekeeping.