Kathmandu, Feb 6: Budhanilakantha Municipality has taken the initiative to propose the inclusion of the Budhanilakantha Temple in the UNESCO World Heritage Site list.

The municipality recently organized discussions aimed at formally enlisting the temple and its iconic statue of Lord Vishnu as part of the World Heritage designation. The colossal stone-carved statue, believed to have been created during the reign of Vishnu Gupta in the second century, holds immense historical and cultural significance.

The event brought together government officials, historians, cultural experts, scholars, writers, and journalists. Participants emphasized the importance of providing comprehensive documentation and evidence highlighting the temple’s architectural uniqueness and cultural value.

Notable speakers, including Prof. Dinesh Raj Pant, theologian Dr. Govinda Tandan, Nepal Bhasa Academy Chancellor Malla K. Sundar, Nepal Academy of Fine Arts Chancellor Narad Mani Hartamchhali, and writers such as Sneha Sayami, Shyam Rimal, and Shreesh Bhandari, urged the municipality to carefully document and specialize its heritage assets.

Additionally, experts recommended conducting an in-depth study of the Shivapuri-Budhanilakantha area's natural attributes to support the nomination effort.