Nepal’s Stolen Buddha Statue Returns Home After Nearly 40 Years

May 12, 2026 | Bouddhobarta Desk

A historic 13th-century Buddha statue stolen from Nepal nearly four decades ago has finally returned to its original home in Kathmandu, marking a major milestone in the country’s ongoing efforts to recover its lost cultural heritage.

The sacred statue, which was stolen from the Om Bahal area of Kathmandu many years ago, has now been reinstalled at Bajradhatu Vihara in the Nepalese capital. Its return coincided with the celebration of the 2570th Buddha Jayanti.

After remaining missing for decades, the statue was eventually identified in the United States and returned to Nepal’s National Museum in 2022. It was later brought to the Hanumandhoka Palace Museum in the presence of heritage activists, local leaders, and museum officials before being ceremonially restored to its original shrine.

Heritage conservationist Ganapati Lal Shrestha expressed joy over the statue’s return, saying, “We are extremely happy to see the statue restored to its rightful place after such a long time.” He noted that local worshippers had been forced to place a replica on the original altar after the statue disappeared.

The case is considered a significant example of the global trafficking of stolen cultural artifacts. The statue was discovered in the art collection of Tibet House US in Manhattan, New York, before being handed over to the Government of Nepal.

During the ceremonial procession through the city, local residents dressed in traditional Newa attire and celebrated with music and joyful marches. A local devotee, Sunkesari Shakya, said, “Our deity is returning home. We are all deeply happy.”

The event was attended by Nepalese government officials as well as US representative Sergio Gor, who stated, “We are trying to correct a mistake from the past.” He also acknowledged that many artifacts stolen from Nepal during the 20th century have been found in museums and private collections around the world.

According to Nepal’s National Museum, the institution currently holds 137 cultural artifacts that have been repatriated from different countries. These items will gradually be returned to their original communities, with 12 artifacts already restored so far.

National Museum chief Aruna Nakarmi said the statue had been temporarily displayed in the museum’s Buddha Art Gallery before its final return. Cultural expert Rabindra Puri emphasized the spiritual importance of such objects, stating, “These statues are not merely artworks; they are part of a living heritage.”

In recent years, Nepal has intensified its efforts to recover stolen cultural treasures. More than 200 artifacts have already been brought back to the country, although experts believe thousands of heritage items remain scattered across the world.