Cultural Heritage
Nepal, home to one of the world's oldest civilizations, is a treasure trove of diverse cultures, traditions, and heritage sites spread across its majestic landscapes. Yet, the true value of this rich cultural tapestry remains underappreciated and often overlooked.
At IRD, we are committed to exploring, documenting, preserving, promoting, and revitalizing Nepal's cultural and historical assets. Through our dedicated campaigns and initiatives, we strive to ensure that Nepal's intangible heritage—its festivals, folklore, and traditional practices—along with tangible landmarks, including ancient temples, monuments, and art forms, are not only protected but also celebrated. By fostering awareness and encouraging community involvement, we aim to inspire a renewed sense of pride and responsibility among individuals and institutions to safeguard Nepal's cultural legacy for future generations.
Join us in our journey to honor Nepal's past, celebrate its present, and pave the way for a culturally enriched future.
Save the Heritage Campaign
Save the Heritage is a campaign to explore, document, and spread awareness about the major heritage sites across Nepal. The campaign is an umbrella that brings all the efforts aimed specifically at documentation of the heritage sites regarding their origin, importance, and present state.
Depending on the type of heritage, we will either create e-books, videos, or documentaries which will be available to the public free of cost. At present, on the one hand, not many such documentation works have been done, and on the other hand, the little works that have been done are scattered and are not readily available to the public.
Therefore, bringing all the documentation work under one umbrella will not only be an effective way to promote such works but also will benefit the people who want to learn about the heritage sites in their locality and around the country.
Key Features
Free e-books, videos, and documentaries for public access
Comprehensive documentation of heritage sites' origin and importance
Community involvement and awareness programs
Support for organizations and individuals interested in heritage documentation
Featured project: Pashupatinath Guide - A complete resource for understanding this UNESCO World Heritage site
Saalik
Saalik is a youth-led platform dedicated to safeguarding Nepal’s rich historical and cultural heritage through innovative, open-source solutions. With a focus on digitization, accessibility, and preservation, Saalik empowers researchers, historians, and enthusiasts to explore Nepal’s past while paving the way for a digitally inclusive future.
Key Features
OpenAbilekh Project: Collaborating with National Archives of Nepal to digitize microfilms from the Nepalese-German Manuscript Cataloguing Project (NGMPP)
OpenLipi Project: Ambitious open-source initiative to develop font systems, converters, and LipiLens technology for Nepal's diverse scripts
Bhashalaya
Bhashalaya is an innovative app designed to celebrate, preserve, and share the diverse linguistic heritage of Nepal. With over 120 languages spoken across the country, Nepal is a linguistic mosaic that reflects its rich cultural and ethnic diversity.
However, many of these languages, especially endangered ones, face the risk of being forgotten due to lack of accessibility and teaching resources.
Bhashalaya aims to change that.
Key Features
Comprehensive database including all recognized languages of Nepal, from widely spoken to endangered dialects
Interactive gamified lessons with quizzes, exercises, and authentic pronunciation guides
Cultural integration featuring stories, proverbs, and folklore in native languages
Community engagement involving native speakers and linguists in content creation
Vinyaas
Vinyaas is an innovative web extension designed to empower Nepali language users by offering seamless grammar correction tools. Built to enhance the accuracy and fluency of written Nepali, Vinyaas addresses a key challenge faced by writers, educators, and learners alike: mastering the nuances of Nepali grammar.
In its initial version, Vinyaas focuses on word-level accuracy, identifying and rectifying common grammatical errors while ensuring proper usage of short (hraswa) and long (dirgha) vowels for grammatically correct and polished writing.
Key Features
Word correction for common grammatical errors in Nepali
Hraswa and Dirgha vowel adjustment for proper pronunciation and writing
Easy-to-use web extension for seamless integration
Support for learners mastering Nepali grammatical rules
Annual Art Exhibition
Art is a reflection of culture, history, and identity. Nepal, with its deep artistic traditions, has long been home to talented painters, sculptors, woodcarvers, and craftsmen whose works capture the essence of our heritage. However, many of these artists lack platforms to showcase their creativity and gain the recognition they deserve.
Under IRD’s Culture and Heritage initiative, our Annual Art Exhibition aims to bring together local artists from diverse backgrounds to celebrate and promote Nepal’s artistic legacy. This exhibition serves as a dynamic space where artists can share their work, inspire one another, and engage with the community.
Key Features
Platform for painters, sculptors, woodcarvers, and artisans to display traditional and contemporary works
Opportunities for artists to gain exposure, recognition, and connect with potential buyers
Community engagement to foster aesthetic appreciation and cultural connection
Support for the creative economy by linking artists with institutions, collectors, and enthusiasts