International experts hope restoration and conservation work of the Mayadevi Temple at Lumbini, Nepal, the birthplace of Lord Buddha, will begin on Buddha Jayanti, the birthday of Lord Buddha, today.

The birthplace is recognized as a unique world cultural heritage -- one of the holiest places of one of the world's greatest religions.

The conservation of the fragile archaeological remains of the temple has been the subject of many years of discussion both at a national and international level. It is currently in a poor state of repair and protected only by a temporary corrugated iron shelter.

University archaeologists Dr. Robin Coningham and Professor Mark Pollard have taken part in an International Scientific Experts Meeting in Nepal to discuss the restoration work.

The historic meeting, sponsored by UNESCO, was held in Kathmandu and Lumbini in April. It was attended by three other international experts and 16 Nepalese delegates, including the Minister of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, the Joint-Secretary of the Ministry, and the Director General of Archaeology in Nepal.

Professor Pollard declared, "The temple's preservation is a matter of the highest priority to the world Buddhist community, the Nepalese Government and UNESCO.

"The team considered a range of proposals, including one presented to the group by the Prime Minister of Nepal, Mr. Girija Prasad Koirala, himself.

"The meeting recommended a series of immediate conservation measures for the brick temple, and the construction of a simple Golden Pavilion over the spot where Lord Buddha was born, in keeping with the traditional simplicity of the spot."

The Sacred Garden surrounding the Temple is also to be restored following the commissioning of a plan from an international landscape architect.

[Contact: Rachael Ellis]

07-May-2001