Itumbahal Museum
Itumabaha Museum Itumbahal is one of the oldest Buddhist monasteries of Kathmandu Valley. It has a history dating back to more than one thousand years. Now this monastery turned into a museum with a collection of more than one hundred artefacts related to the rich Buddhist heritage of Kathmandu Valley. Inaugurated jointly by MP Bagmati Pradesh Sailendra Bajracharya and former mayor KMC Bidhyasundar Shakya on 29 July 2023. On the auspicious day a Satto puja performed by Ven guru Nareshman Bajracharya. The seed money for opening the museum was provided by Rubin Museum of Art based in New York USA. The Keshchandra Maha Vihar conservation society, an ad hoc body of Itumbahal, is currently operating the management of Itumbahal museum. The idea of creating a museum was conceived nearly15 years ago, when the culturally and archaeologically significant materials / artefacts were left unattended during the restoration and renovation process in between 2005 – 2017. All the unused heritage material once located in dusty storerooms were meticulously taken care of, repaired and maintained properly for display at Itumbahal Museum. The display of cultural and religiously significant artefacts displayed during the festival of Gunla is an age-old tradition still practiced in Itumbahal. It’s a traditional museum with displays of old artefacts for viewing to common citizens for fifteen days. There is even an organized tour to view such displays all around the city. The living goddess Kumari pays a visit to Itumbahal to view such historically important artefact. Now with the opening of the museum, it’s open to all locals, pilgrims, travelers, students and scholars, and has the opportunity to witness the artefacts any time around the year. The VIPs who have visited Itumbahal museum after inauguration – MP Prakashman Singh, MP Biraj bhakta Shrestha , Education Ministers Sumana Shrestha , Dinanath Sharma former MP Jivan Ram Shrestha , Deputy mayor KMC Sunita Dangol , Diplomats from French and Bhutan embassy , similarly , respected guru Sridhar Rana Rinpoche , President of Newa dey daboo Mr. Pabitra Bajracharya , VC of Nepal Bhasa academy Mr. Malla K. Sundar , Historians Mr. Kasinath Tamoth, Dr Shyam Sundar Rajbanshi, Mr. Nutan Sharma, Dr Keshabman Shakya, Representatives from Handicraft association of Nepal, Rotary club Thamel, Traditional Buddhist association Kathmandu also paid visit to Itumbahal museum. After the establishment, the glory of the Bhashkardev Sanskarit Kesh Chandra Krit Paravat Mahavihar, Itumbahal is familiar in Nepal and the international circles. All the entities under associations linked with Mahavihar are proud and satisfied. Cultural, historical researchers as well as heritage and cultural enthusiast are happy with this project, special thanks to Madam Swosti Rajbhandari, curator, museologist, and his team including Architect Kriti Shakya for actively participating to make this museum a successful venture.