SURKHET: The Department of Archaeology has initiated efforts to list Karnali’s Paduka, Shreesthan, Panchadeval, and Sinja civilizations on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
This decision follows a recent study conducted by the department’s team, which included visits to Panchadeval in Bhurti, Narayan Municipality-3, Dailekh, and the Sinja area in Jumla.
The team held discussions with local residents and representatives from Hima, Kanakasundari, and Sinja rural municipalities in Jumla, as well as conducting studies in Narayan Municipality in Dailekh.
Additionally, the team explored other historical sites in the Karnali Province.
Karnali Province is considered an ancient hub for language, civilization, and culture in Nepal. As a legacy of the Khas Empire, Sinja in Jumla was a summer kingdom, while Dullu in Dailekh served as the winter capital.
With this historical backdrop, the Department of Archaeology has begun preparations to submit these heritage sites for inclusion on the World Heritage List.
In Dullu and Sinja, Dailekh, the Khas kingdom’s historical landmarks, including the Panchakoshi Dhams, monasteries, Kirtikhamb, and Panchadeval, are believed to have been constructed during the Khas reign.
While a wall has been built to protect the 25 temples in Bhurti, Narayan Municipality, further conservation work remains incomplete. The Department has now prioritized these sites for World Heritage listing and begun detailed documentation.
Spokesperson Ram Bahadur Kunwar from the Department of Archaeology stated, “The team, led by the Director General, visited historical sites in Karnali, including Sinja and Bhurti, to assess the feasibility of their inclusion on the World Heritage List.”
To support Sinja’s inclusion as the center of the Sinja civilization and the origin of the Nepali language, the Department has engaged with local communities to understand the historical and cultural significance of the region.
Spokesperson Kunwar added, “There is broad support from the locals for including Sinja on the World Heritage List, but it is crucial to prevent the destruction of these ancient sites in the name of modern development.”
Despite efforts to include Sinja on the World Heritage List, the rapid destruction of heritage sites due to unregulated development has made it challenging to preserve traditional culture, according to Kunwar.
History of the Panchadevals of Bhurti
The Panchadevals in Bhurti, Narayan Municipality-3, Dailekh, are believed to date back to the 14th-15th century during the reign of the Khas Malla dynasty of Sinja.
According to local tradition, there were originally 25 temples in this area, though only 22 remain today.
Researcher Mohan Prasad Khanal, from the University of Nepal, has noted that inscriptions found at one of these temples, including the phrase “Om Mani Padme Hum,” align with records from the Sinja Empire. It is believed that one of the temples was built in 1465 BS.
Community Support for Heritage Preservation
Purna Prasad Dhital, Chairman of Sinja Rural Municipality in Jumla, expressed enthusiasm about the Department’s ongoing efforts to include Sinja in the World Heritage List.
He emphasized that the Sinja civilization represents a key part of Nepali identity. “We have urged that the efforts to include Sinja on the World Heritage List be expedited,” Dhital stated.
The local community is excited about the department’s attention to Sinja’s heritage, especially as the area faces deterioration due to a lack of conservation efforts.
Comment