Itumbaha is one of five principal historic monasteries in Kathmandu and is significant for its ritual importance in Newar Buddhism and for its wealth of early woodcarvings, some dating to the 13th century.
Restoration at Itumbaha began in 2002 with financial support from the Federal Goverment of Germany and a matching grant from the Robert W. Wilson Challenge to Conserve Our Heritage under |
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the auspices of the World Monuments Fund.
The monastery is the third project to be restored under the Trust’s Buddhist Kathamandu Campaign which focuses on the restoration and documentation of Buddhist heritage sites. The campaign began in 1999 with the restoration of Chusya Baha (also made possible with financial support from the German Government),
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an important and intact 17th century monastic quadrangle, and was followed in 2002 by the restortion of Yetkha Baha Agam (with the support of Sumitomo Foundation), a private shrine house with important early wood carvings.
Restoration of the east wing of Itumbaha by September, 2007 will mark the completion of the project. |
