Nepal Prepares to Open Four New Museums

History lovers will be excited to learn that Nepal is preparing to open four new museums in the near future. This thrilling new development was recently announced by Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal during his inspection of the Janajati ethnic museum that forms part of the Nepal Tourism Board in Bhrikutimandap.

According to Mr Nepal the government has chosen to create four separate museums as symbols of the main phases in Nepal’s political history. They will be a reflection of the culture and tradition of the people of the country and will be easy to understand by both locals and foreigners. The recently elected prime minister said that the museums would be located Gokarna, the Bhrikuti Mandap exhibition grounds, the Nawalparasi district and the Narayanhity Palace Museum precincts. Each of these museums will play a unique role in representing the culture and political history of the country.

The museum that is to be located in Gokarna forest in eastern Kathmandu will focus on the people’s struggle for democracy and will carry a dedication to the memory of the martyrs who worked tirelessly and even died for this struggle. The museum located in the Bhrikuti Mandap exhibition grounds will try to reflect the various identities carried by the people of the many different ethnic communities and groups found in Nepal. The role of the Nawalparasi Museum will be to reflect Tharu culture and it will be located at the heart of this culture in western Nepal. The Narayanhiti Museum will also be fascinating; with exhibits showcasing not only the history of the Shah dynasty – Nepal’s Monarchical period – but also shed more light on the ethnic culture found in Kathmandu city.

The somewhat unexpected unravelling seems to be typical of the new Prime Minister who, just six days after his election, laid the foundation stone for a republic monument at Ratna Park. Apparently he has directed the Ministry of Planning and Works to ensure that this monument is taller than the Dharahara tower. When one considers that bold step, it is easy to see how he arrived at his decision to create four different museums spread across the country and representing the culture of some 103 indigenous communities as well as the rich and colourful history of Nepal’s past.