Music, Rituals, Joy And Some Tears: How Nepal Welcomed Return Of A 13th-Century Buddha Statue

A 13th-century Buddha statue stolen from Kathmandu in the 1980s has been returned to Nepal from New York after decades abroad. The return was marked with celebrations and religious ceremonies. (Photo by Prakash MATHEMA / AFP)

Devotees carried the statue through the streets of Kathmandu before reinstalling it at its original temple during Buddha Jayanti celebrations. The event drew large crowds and emotional reactions from locals. (Photo by Prakash MATHEMA / AFP)

According to Nepalese authorities, the statue disappeared from a temple in the 1980s before resurfacing years later at Tibet House US, a cultural institution in New York. (Photo by Prakash MATHEMA / AFP)

Nepal has long battled the illegal trafficking of religious sculptures and temple artefacts. Experts believe thousands of culturally significant objects were smuggled out of the country over decades. (Photo by Prakash MATHEMA / AFP)

Historians, activists and archaeologists campaigned for years for the statue’s repatriation. The return is being seen as part of a growing international movement to send stolen cultural treasures back to their countries of origin. (Photo by Prakash MATHEMA / AFP)

For many Nepalese, the Buddha statue is not just a historical object but a living spiritual symbol. Its return is being celebrated as a victory for cultural identity, heritage preservation and historical justice. (Photo by PRAKASH MATHEMA / AFP)