Tilaurakot, Panauti and Ram Janaki Temple attempt UNESCO heritage listing

Kathmandu, June 23: Nepal currently has 15 sites on UNESCO’s Tentative List, reflecting the country’s rich cultural and historical heritage. 

Among these, Tilaurakot, the ancient capital of the Shakya Kingdom as well as the Ram Janaki Temple and the historic town of Panauti are undergoing the nomination process for inclusion on UNESCO’s World Heritage List. 

Among the three sites, in 2025, the 47th session of the World Heritage Committee held in Paris, France, declined to include Tilaurakot on the UNESCO World Heritage List. 

The Department of Archaeology (DoA) has been preparing to resubmit the nomination file for Tilaurakot to the 48th session of the World Heritage Committee, which is scheduled to be held in Korea at the UNESCO World Heritage Centre by February 1, 2027. 

Sandeep Khanal, Chief Archaeological Officer and Spokesperson of the DoA, said that if the DoA submits the nomination file of Tilaurakot by February 1, the proposal will be discussed at the 49th session of the World Heritage Committee. 

Talking about the progress report of Janakpur’s nomination for UNESCO World Heritage Site, Khanal stated that the preliminary report has been prepared. 

He added that the discovery of Nepal’s first apsidal Buddhist temple within the ancient city of Tilaurakot-Kapilvasti in February 2025 will further strengthen the case. The apsidal Buddhist temple is one of the best-preserved early historic cities and hinterlands in South Asia, providing new evidence supporting the proposal to nominate Tilaurakot for inclusion on the UNESCO World Heritage List, he added.  

Monuments that are distinct and unique are listed as independent properties. The cultural value of Tilaurakot is both unique and significant, which is why it was selected as an independent property.

Regarding the progress of the Ram Janaki Temple, Khanal stated that the Department of Archaeology has fixed the boundary of the Janakai Temple. To declare the preserved monument area, the proposal has been sent to the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, and will later be forwarded to the Cabinet for approval.  

Saubhagya Pradhanang, Director General of the DoA, told The Rising Nepal that Tilaurakot has been nominated as an independent cultural property for WHS inscription, and Janakpur and Panauti fall under cultural sites. 

The Ministry of Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation has given high priority to Tilaurakot's nomination to the WHS list, and the process report of Janakpur is in the process, among others, for the nomination process. 

Monuments that are distinct and unique are listed as independent properties. The cultural value of Tilaurakot is both unique and significant, which is why it was selected as an independent property.

Director General Pradhanang explained that the DoA is now focusing on preparing the necessary documents, as mandated by UNESCO, for the nomination of the Ram Janaki Temple and Panauti.

Regarding the progress of the Ram Janaki Temple and Panauti, Pradhanang explained that both are in the initial phase. Documentation is under way, and a team of specialists is conducting studies and research in coordination with the mayors of the respective municipalities.

The architectural complex of Panauti, located at the confluence of the Roshi and Punyamati rivers, and the archaeological remains of the ancient Shakya Kingdom at Tilaurakot have been on UNESCO’s tentative list since 1996. The Ram Janaki Temple was added in 2008.

Initial discussions have also begun on nominating the Ajayamerukot of Dadeldhura, Bhurti Temple Complex of Dailekh, Sinja Valley in Jumla and the Gorkha palace complex for WHS status. “These are still at the very early discussion phase with recent consultations held with local stakeholders, according to the DoA. 

Currently, Nepal has four UNESCO World Heritage Sites—two cultural and two natural. The cultural sites are the Kathmandu Valley and Lumbini, while the natural sites include Chitwan and Sagarmatha National Parks.