BHAKTAPUR, Jan 19: Ancient statues in the Bhaktapur´s Wooden Craft Museum which have been keeping alive the art, architecture, religion and culture of the Malla period of Nepal´s history, have been weathering for lack of protection.
Their condition has been deteriorating as termites have been eating them up.
Most statues in the art museum of the Pujari Math at the south-eastern part of the Dattatraya temple at Tachapal of Bhaktapur-3 are decomposing and some are getting covered with fungus.
"The situation is more vulnerable day by day as no concerned bodies have given appropriate attention", said one local elder, Buddhinarayan Jyakhwa.
The museum, established in 2017 BS, to keep alive Nepal´s traditional art and painting has not been able to attract tourists as tourists are unaware of the existence of the museum due to lack of publicity.
"Only 5-10 percent foreign tourists come to visit the museum as the guides do not get commission here", said National Art Museum Chief Bharat Rawat. "Many return saying the entry fee is too high", he said.
There are four sections in the museum for painting, sculpture, metal art and wooden craft.
There are attractive pillars, various statues of gods and goddess and royal families, and arts like that of Bajrayogini, Ganesh Shakti, Mahesh Samhar, Krishna Lila and Bisworup as well as various arts, and creatures representing the Malla folk art.
It is believed that it can help in the national income while at the same time highlight Nepalese art and culture in the world if it is well protected.
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