Reduced to rubble, Nepal’s ‘Monkey Temple’ now a honeypot for art thieves

The hilltop Swayambunath Temple complex, known to many as the “Monkey Temple” for the tiny primates that reside there and one of Nepal’s oldest and most sacred religious monuments, was partly reduced to debris by the 7.8 magnitude earthquake that struck on April 25. Some of the seventh-century stupas remain intact and a few statues miraculously survived the disaster, but those that did now risk being pillaged by looters or desperate devotees hoping for a bit of good luck after the devastation. The temple’s guardians now spend nights in make-do shelters despite the threat of aftershocks that could bring down the remaining structures — but also fear that looters may come at night to take what they can.

I don’t sleep. I keep watch. I want to stop people stealing the statues.

Pannakaji, temple guardian

UNESCO has sent a group of experts to evaluate the damage to the temple and to try to protect the unique religious site from thieves. Archeologist and art historian David Andolfatto, who is part of that delegation, is particularly concerned about looting during Buddha’s birthday celebration that takes place on Monday.

I worry that when devotees come on Monday they may take pieces because the temple is very important to Nepal and Tibetan Newar Buddhists.

David Andolfatto, archeologist and art historian

Asia-Pacific Kathmandu