Himal Press 
KATHMANDU: The government has decided to provide $350,000 in financial assistance to the Government of Myanmar for the reconstruction of two religious heritage sites damaged by the powerful earthquake in March 2025.
The assistance will be used to rebuild the archives of the Mahamuni Buddhist Pagoda and the Gangaghat Hindu Temple, both of which suffered significant damage in the magnitude 7.9 earthquake.
The Mahamuni Buddha Temple, located southwest of Mandalay, is one of the most revered Buddhist pilgrimage sites in Myanmar. The main shrine houses the Mahamuni Buddha image, which, according to Buddhist legends and texts, was cast during the lifetime of the Buddha at the request of the King of Arakan, present-day Rakhine State. The statue is believed to be one of the few bearing the Buddha’s exact likeness. The earthquake caused serious damage to the temple complex, including its architectural structures.
The Gangaghat Temple is another important religious site, particularly for the Nepali community living in Myanmar. The temple drew international attention after it was damaged in the same earthquake. Recognizing its cultural and religious significance for the Nepali diaspora, the Government of Nepal decided to extend financial support for its reconstruction alongside the Mahamuni Pagoda archives.
The decision reflects Nepal’s commitment to preserving shared religious heritage and supporting the recovery of culturally significant sites affected by natural disasters in the region.
