Nepal Reclaims Two Stolen Cultural Treasures from the United States in Historic New York Ceremony

Exclusive: NEW YORK, June 23, 2026 — Nepal marked another significant milestone in the preservation of its cultural heritage as two priceless antiquities stolen decades ago were officially returned by U.S. authorities during a special handover ceremony at the Consulate General of Nepal in New York on Tuesday.

The recovered artifacts—a 13th-century bronze statue of Padma Pani and a 16th-century wooden statue of the Goddess of Dance (Nrityadevi)—were formally transferred to the Government of Nepal after Mr. Dadhiram Bhandari, Consul General of Nepal in New York, and Col. Matthew Bogdanos, Chief of the Antiquities Trafficking Unit of the New York County District Attorney’s Office, signed the Minutes of Concurrence during the ceremony.

The Padma Pani sculpture, originally housed at Tham Bahil (Vikramashila Mahavihara, Bhagwan Bahal) in Kathmandu, dates back to the 13th century. The last known photograph of the statue at its original site was taken in 1971 before it is believed to have been illegally smuggled into the United States sometime between 1971 and 1977.

The second artifact, a remarkable wooden statue of Nrityadevi, originates from I-Baha Bahi in Patan and dates to the 16th century. Authorities believe it was trafficked out of Nepal between 1969 and 1983 before eventually being seized from the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.

The successful recovery resulted from years of collaboration between the New York County District Attorney’s Office, U.S. Homeland Security Investigations, researchers, museums, heritage advocates, and community members committed to protecting Nepal’s cultural legacy.

Speaking at the ceremony, Consul General Dadhiram Bhandari expressed profound gratitude to the United States Government, the New York County District Attorney’s Office, Homeland Security Investigations, researchers, museums, heritage campaigners, and community organizations for their collective efforts in returning the invaluable cultural treasures to Nepal.

He noted that the growing partnership between Nepal and the United States in combating the illicit trafficking of cultural property has become a model of international cooperation in safeguarding shared cultural heritage. Bhandari also acknowledged the longstanding contributions of the Nepali diaspora, particularly Newa Guthi, New York, in promoting and protecting Nepal’s rich cultural identity abroad.

Following the ceremony, the two antiquities are scheduled to be carefully packed and shipped to Nepal on June 25, 2026, with transportation coordinated jointly by the Consulate General of Nepal and Newa Guthi, New York. Representatives from the organization will accompany the artifacts during their journey home.

Upon arrival in Kathmandu, the artifacts will be formally handed over to the Department of Archaeology and other relevant government authorities for conservation, stewardship, and eventual restoration to their original sacred locations.

The repatriation ceremony was attended by senior officials from the New York County District Attorney’s Office, Homeland Security Investigations, representatives of Newa Guthi New York, officials from the Metropolitan Museum of Art, professors, heritage advocates, members of the Nepali community, and media representatives.

The return of these two centuries-old masterpieces represents another major achievement in Nepal’s ongoing international campaign to recover stolen cultural heritage and restore historically significant artifacts to their rightful home.