President Ram Chandra Paudel Monday performed the consecration ritual of the pinnacle of the Swoyambhu Mahachaitya shrine.
The Head-of-State offered prayer at the Chaitya as per the rituals during a program organized by the Swayambhu Management and Conservation General Committee. The pinnacle of the Swoyambhu Chaitya was damaged by a storm on March 14, 2023. Situated at Kathmandu Metropolitan City-15, the Swayambhunath Stupa complex is enlisted as a World Heritage Site.
The Mahachaitya has been renovated at a cost of Rs 5 million. The restored Chaitya is about 106 meters tall. The renovation was carried out after a technical team comprising the Department of Archaeology and the Kathmandu Metropolitan City, the District Administration Office and the Guthi Sansthan conducted a detailed study of the structure.
Committee Chair Bhikkhu Dharmamurti Mahasthaveer gave a briefing on the conservation activities carried out in the Swayambhunath world heritage site. On the occasion, President Paudel honored General Committee Chair Bhikkhu Dharmamurti, and General Secretary Ashok Bajracharya, among others.
General Committee administrative officer Deependra Vaidya said that Swayambhunath Chaitya is a sacred site for the Buddhists
of all sects including Hinayana and Mahayana. They perform various religious activities at the site.
Both domestic visitors and foreign tourists come for a visit to the Chaitya. The Anantapur and Pratappur shrines close to the Chaitya were also renovated a few years back.
