Restoration work began in May 2015 and cost $2.1 million -- including over 30 kilogrammes (66 pounds) of gold -- according to the Boudhanath Area Development Committee. The successful reconstruction of Boudhanath is an inspiration for what we have to achieve in quake affected areas," Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal said after walking up the freshly painted stupa steps. Thangka artist Hom Bahadur Tamang, who has sold his Buddhist paintings in the stupa grounds for 21 years, said business had been slow. "The reconstruction of the stupa has given us new hopes that we will rise again," Tamang said. While work has begun to repair quake-damaged temples and monuments, only a handful have been completed, with experts saying it will be years before Nepal's architectural heritage is fully restored.

Source: The Nation Bangkok November 23, 2016 03:51 UTC