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Earthquake Response Campaign

Patan Darbar Square and surrounding sites; Kathmandu Darbar Square

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13th–18th Century

TIMELINE

2015–2025

FUNDING

U.S. Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation (AFCP), Gerda Henkel Foundation, German Ministry of Foreign Affairs, University of Applied Arts Vienna, Leon Levy Foundation, World Monuments Fund through support from American Express, Global Heritage Fund, Himalayan Bank Limited, Oriental Cultural Heritage Sites Protection Alliance, Embassy of Japan in Nepal, Prince Claus Fund for Culture and Development, Bonhams, South Asia Institute – Heidelberg University, Nepal Investment Bank Ltd (NIBL), Sumitomo Foundation, Norwegian Directorate for Cultural Heritage (Riksantikvaren), Monimos Foundation, Nick Simons Foundation, Neil Kreitman Foundation, Himal Initiative Deutschland e.V., Surja Handaka, Ehipassiko Foundation, Himalayan Consensus, Kaze Travels, Lalitpur Metropolitan City, Mangal Tole Sudhar Sangh, Sulima Guthi, Itumbaha Guthi, Patan Museum, Lalitpur Chamber of Commerce, Federal Government of Nepal – Department of Archaeology, Kathmandu Metropolitan City, Embassy of Norway, Friends of Patan, KVPT core unrestricted funds, private donors

Harishankara temple in ruins after the 2015 earthquake. 

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KVPT’s flagship effort for coordinated post-earthquake heritage recovery and rebuilding of the urban historic zones, integrating traditional craftsmanship with international conservation standards while emphasizing the advancement of seismic safety and resiliency

KVPT’s Earthquake Response Campaign (2015-2025) is the single most ambitious and successful conservation effort  to date. Most significantly, the Campaign managed to save and restore  the Patan Darbar Square to a level of historical authenticity and structural integrity which surpasses its pre-quake condition. Launched in the immediate aftermath of the 2015 Gorkha Earthquake, the campaign notably was able to rescue all historical materials from the rubble and incorporate them into the reconstruction.  Reconstruction and repair projects lasted over a decade and incorporated research, training, and seismic design development. The scale of destruction across the Kathmandu Valley's historic centers was immense with dozens of major monuments damaged or collapsed. KVPT’s coordinated response in Patan Darbar Square became a model of speedy post-disaster recovery—one that prioritized the reuse of historical materials, the development of innovative seismic strengthening methods, and the reintegration of traditional craft techniques.


Thanks to international and local partnerships, more than 20 monuments have since been stabilized, restored, or fully rebuilt. A team of specialized international structural engineers rotated to support the rebuilding efforts with state-of-the-art technology. Thousands of salvaged elements were catalogued, repaired, and reinstalled. Projects ranged from temples and shrines to courtyards, sculptures, pati rest-houses, and royal palace wings. Many works were completed in collaboration with the Department of Archaeology, Patan Municipality, Patan Museum, and local residents and community groups. The Architecture Galleries, a museum of local architecture established by KVPT in 2014, have been re-opened and education programs for school children have been initiated.

  • Seismic detailing suited to Newar buildings: threshold/base-stone ties, improved wall-plate and strut connections, damp-proofing vulnerable timber, and, where appropriate, foundation unification during rebuilding.

  • Craft-led conservation: hereditary Newar carpenters, carvers, masons and metalworkers executed work on site, guided by KVPT architects and engineers

HIGHLIGHTS

  • More than 20+ major heritage structures restored

  • Thousands of historic architectural fragments/elements salvaged, catalogued, and reused

  • First large-scale seismic response in Nepal to integrate traditional craftsmanship and international conservation standards

  • Developed training programs, documentation protocols, and long-term technical support systems for heritage recovery

  • Rescue-first, then rebuild: early salvage and documentation enabled authentic reassembly with original pieces

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Kathmandu


  1. Kageshvara Temple | Rebuilding start: November 2016 | Completion: March 2018

  2. Lakshmi Narayan Temple | Rebuilding start: September 2016 | Completion: April 2017

  3. Mahadev Temple | Rebuilding start: August 2016 | Completion: December 2016

  4. Sarasvati Temple | Rebuilding start: August 2017 | Completion: March 2018

  5. Itumbaha Monastery | Rebuilding start: February 2015 | Completion: August 2017

COMPLETED PROJECTS

Patan


  1. Manimandapa Pati South | Rebuilding start: July 2015 | Completion: November 2018

  2. Manimandapa Pati North | Rebuilding start: July 2015 | Completion: November 2018

  3. Vishveshvara Temple | Restoration start: January 2017 | Completion: January 2019

  4. Patukva Ganesh Temple | Rebuilding start: June 2017 | Completion: 2018

  5. Bhimsen Temple | Rebuilding start: June 2019 | Completion: December 2021

  6. Charnarayana Temple | Rebuilding start: June 2015 | Completion: October 2019

  7. Harishankara Temple | Rebuilding start: July 2015 | Completion: October 2019

  8. Krishna Temple | Restoration start: September 2016 | Completion: November 2018

  9. Sundari Chowk, East Wing | Rebuilding start: September 2015 | Completion: April 2017

  10. Mul Chowk North & South Taleju | Restoration start: May 2015 | Completion: January 2019

  11. Bahadur Shah Palace | Restoration start: January 2017 | Completion: March 2018

  12. King Yognarendra Statue | Restoration start: August 2016 | Completion: February 2017

  13. Bhimsen Lion Pillar | Rebuilding start: August 2015 | Completion: April 2016

  14. Octagonal Krishna Temple | Restoration start: February 2020 | Completion: March 2022

  15. Sulima Agamchhe | Rebuilding start: February 2016 | Completion: December 2018

  16. Sulima Mahadev Temple | Restoration start: March 2016 | Completion: January 2017

  17. Architectural Galleries & AV Installations | Completion: 2014

  18. Darbar Square Night Lighting Initiative | Phase I complete: 2019 | Ongoing conceptual development

  19. Bhimsen Temple * | Rebuilding start: May 2019 | Completion: December 2021

  20. Degutale Temple * | Rebuilding start: January 2021 | Completion: March 2025

  21. Bhaidegah Temple * | Rebuilding start: April 2012 | Completion: December 2025

  22. Mahabaudha Temple * | Rebuilding start: April 2017 | Completion: August 2018

  23. Balima Narayan Temple * | Rebuilding start: March 2018 | Completion: December 2018

  24. Ikahlakhu Narayan Temple * | Rebuilding start: January 2018 | Completion: September 2018

  25. Daubaha Krishna Temple * | Rebuilding start: November 2021 | Completion: October 2022

  26. Tumbaha Temple | Rebuilding start: August 2021 | Completion: December 2021Kathmandu Projects


     * Technical support

ONGOING PROJECTS

  1. Narsimha Temple | Rebuilding start: December 2022 | Restoration completion: August 2026

  2. Muchhe Agamchhe | Rebuilding start: April 2023 | Restoration completion: December 2026

  3. Mubaha Agamchhe | Rebuilding start: April 2025 | Restoration completion: December 2026

  4. Dattatriya Temple | Rebuilding start: January 2025 | Restoration completion: September 2026

  5. Seismic Study and Research | Rebuilding start: January 2025 | Restoration completion: December 2026

FURTHER READING

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