Changu Narayan Mandir – one of UNESCO’s seven World Heritage Sites located in the Kathmandu Valley, Nepal – is one of the most significant religious complexes in the Valley with spectacular vistas towards the Himalayan range. Changu is an architectural masterpiece and is the home to a diversity of 5th – 7th century Lichhavi art from the golden period of Nepal’s history.

The devastating earthquakes in April and May 2015 caused extensive damage to the Changu Narayan Temple, its surrounding courtyard buildings (sattals) and many smaller shrines within the temple complex. This highly significant hill sanctuary is a great historic and artistic World Heritage Site and deserves immediate care and attention, as it is one of the least developed locations in the Valley.

The focus therefore is directed towards the development of a comprehensive master plan for the conservation of the temple complex and the protection of the sculptures, the hittis, and other artifacts associated with Changu Narayan; as well as providing visitors a more stimulating experience. Essential services will be improved; more inspiring restaurants and cafés will be provided; and visitors will be invited to experience the unique community life of Changu Narayan

More about the project

The project was established in 2004 with the objectives of repairing historic city wall and improving existing drainage system in the city of Lomanthang. It was started in April 2004 with a mission to undertake the emergency repair works of the city wall. Several drainage and paving options were presented to the local community for their approval.

The project has been able to complete repair work of East, North, West and part of South wall by the end of 2006. Similarly improvements of the drainage system and pavement to the major public spaces have been completed by the year 2006. The repair and consolidation of the wall, the improvements in the drainage and the paving of the public spaces within the city wall have significantly advanced the aesthetics and functional aspects in Lomanthang. It is aimed to complete the city wall repair work by 2007.

The consultants, JSA team has trained a local workforce of 60 members which includes carpenters, masons, plasterers and labours. In addition the project’s effort in creating a general awareness on heritage conservation among the local people has reached its summit. Apart from its programme to protect and conserve city wall, historic Gompas and other cultural elements, the community’s effort to present their heritage to visitors and future generation is another aspect that has already begun to take place in the area. The JSA team has been equally responsible for the research on local materials and technology and it’s improvement in search of appropriate technology. It has successfully revived the skills in Gyang Construction (Rammed Earth Construction) in the area.

The project was established in 1996 with the objective of conserving cultural heritage of Upper Mustang. The project commenced in 1996 with a mission to undertake the emergency repair works of the Thubchen and Champa Gompa in Lomanthang. As a result of this intervention and the assessment of the structural state of the Gompas and their priceless wall paintings, a formal conservation programme was developed and initiated primarily for structural conservation of the roof and the development of training in wall painting conservation. In 1997, the conservation work started in both Lomanthang Gompas and later expanded to Ghar Gompa Logekar and Tsarang Gompa Tsarang.

The project has completed almost all of the major architectural restoration work of the Thubchen, Champa, Logekar, Tsarang Gompa and Sumdu Chhorten by the end of 2004.  Similarly wall painting conservation of the Thubchen Gompa is complete and the conservation work in Champa Gompa is ongoing. It is aimed to complete wall paintings conservation works of these Gompas by the end of 2008. Both the national and international consultants including experienced Carpenters from Kirtipur, Kathmandu and Italian Wall painting conservators are involved in the conservation of the Gompas that date back to 14^th century and later period.

The consultants, JSA, has trained a local workforce of 35 in Lomanthang, 20 in Tsarang, 15 in Logekar in Architectural conservation and maintenance work which includes carpenters, masons, plasterers and labours. Similarly a team of 40 has been trained in wall paintings conservation during the past seven years who are now a useful resource for work on the various conservation programmes in the country. In addition the project has successfully created a general awareness on heritage conservation among the local people. Apart from the programme to protect and conserve historic Gompas and other cultural elements, the community’s effort to present their heritage to visitors and future generation is another aspect that has already begun to take place in the area. The JSA team has been responsible for research on local materials and technology and improvements using appropriate technology

In October 1993, The Teku Thapathali Research Group (TTRG) was established with funds from the British Embassy to carry out a preliminary research project. The projects goal was to assist local efforts in a long-term rehabilitation programme within the project area –a triangle of land bordering 2km of river ghats between Teku and Thapathali (see the site plan below). TTRG has undertaken archaeological and social research and identified a programme of appropriate rehabilitation and urban design of the area, in collaboration with the local community and Municipal bodies. During the research period TTRG undertook comprehensive assessments, including social and physical surveys of four temple complexes across the site. In each case a temple complex comprises a temple, its surrounding courtyard and sattal.

 The main goals of the project are;

• Conserving religious and cultural sites within an active community context
• Encouraging community participation in upgrading their living condition
• Enhancing the riverbank for public use

Towards these project goals the TTRG has recommended the following initial objectives:

• Creation of Teku Thapathali Monument Zone
• Rehabilitation of four temple complexes
• Establishment of community training programmes
• Further research into housing and urban design proposals

These objectives are presented in the body of this report which has been packaged as a fund raising tool.

The new constructions as well as demolition of historic structures are threatening the urban fabric of the area. Organic building activities without considering architectural norms, has reduced the pure glory and walling up the traditional architecture in the surrounding of Swayambhu Protected Monument Zone. It was therefore deemed necessary that the monument zone is conserved. With the support from the Commission of the European Communities through the Kathmandu Valley Mapping Programme, the project was commenced in January 2003. The project was completed in association with the Department of Archaeology- the HMG of Nepal, Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) and Swayambhu Conservation and Management Committee (SWCMC). The Consultant, John Sanday Associates (JSA) prepared the action plan that incorporates:

• Assessment of existing situation of the zone
• Identification of structures of historic value
• Proposals for the traditional structures that are in urgent need of repair.
• Infrastructure upgrading proposal for the area.
•  Ownership survey of the land and buildings in the area
• Identification and listing of in order of priority activities for the draft of a conservation management plan relating to the management and conservation of the Swayambhu Conservation Area
• Programme schedule of activities for the next five years
• Recommendation of an institutional framework and designate responsibilities for the implementation of the action plan.