 has launched an initiative aimed at reviving the original names of its historical, cultural, and religious landmarks, and reintegrating them into daily usage. ){kind=link}
The Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) has launched an initiative aimed at reviving the original names of its historical, cultural, and religious landmarks, and reintegrating them into daily usage.
Collaborating with cultural experts, archaeologists, linguists, and historians, the local government is meticulously identifying the indigenous names of local settlements, temples, religious shrines, sattal, and stone spouts with significant historical and cultural value.
According to Ashaman Sangat, coordinator of the Kathmandu Metropolitan City Office’s Heritage and Tourism Committee, the initiative kicked off in five initial wards: Wards 5, 6, 7, 18, and 24 within the metropolis.
Initial findings reveal that the commonly known Handigau was historically referred to as Nara, and Boudha as Khasyor or Khasti in ancient records. Likewise, the current Chabahil was once known as Chabahi, Naradevi as Ngeta, and Makhan as Mankha.
This endeavor aims to reestablish the historical, cultural, and archaeological identities of the city and has garnered support from the Centre for Integrated Urban Development.
The restored names will be prominently displayed in scripts such as Ranjana, Devanagari, and English.
Notably, the name plates will feature backgrounds in red and black, reminiscent of the colors of Hakupatasi, the traditional attire of Newari women, as highlighted by researcher Asmita Shrestha.