Shri Pashupati Hindu University will be established in Kathmandu.

Govt expedites the process to establish Shree Pashupati Hindu University as planned by Pashupati Area Development Trust. 

Pavanjeet Thukral Nepali | HENB | Kathmandu | April 17, 2023:: The Nepal government has taken forward the process to establish Shree Pashupati Hindu University as planned by the Pashupati Area Development Trust. The proposed Pashupati Hindu University university will spread over an area of 150 Ropanis. It will be extended over an area of 200 Ropanis Located at the prime location of Kageshwori Manohara, Bhaktapur, Pashupati Hindu University plans to provide quality education and focus on promoting the Hindu culture and traditions.

The university aims to enlighten the world that Nepal is the birthplace of Hinduism and develop the Pashupati area as the hub for studying Sanskrit literature, religion, culture, philosophy, etc. Furthermore, the keen mission will be the overall development of the Pashupati temple and the areas that fall under it. The university also envisions establishing Nepal on the world map through the lens of culture and religion.

The Ministry of Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation (MoCTCA) is going to help for establishing the University with the objective to conduct research on the Hindu religion in an extensive way.

A committee formed by the MoCTCA to conduct a feasibility study for the same submitted its concept paper along with the findings of the study to the Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, Sudan Kirati. The Committee coordinator and cultural expert Dr Jagman Gurung handed over the concept paper to Minister Kirati at the latter’s office on Sunday.

Minister Kirati lauded the timely concept note and expressed his confidence that it would be enforced at the earliest. According to Kirati, a separate committee would be formed by the Ministry to conduct a detailed report on the proposed University.

The concept paper was prepared within a month by the Committee since its formation. It is believed that the University would also support in conducting wider research on Hindu religion, producing experts on Hinduism and in developing cultural diplomacy.

Dr Gurung was confident that the University would help establish Nepal as the center of spiritual attraction in the world.

Acceptance of concept paper

The study committee has pointed out the need for the establishment of the University, stating that the proposed University would be focused on the teaching and research of Nepal’s religion, philosophy, civilization, folk culture, and authentic ethnic issues.

The University is envisaged to be run through the Board of Trustees. It will run Masters, M. Phil, and Ph.D. level academic programs.

Although the Ministry of Culture, Culture and Civil Aviation and Pashupati Area Development Trust (PADT) are the founders of the University, the Ministry of Education, Science, and Technology will formulate the education policy and programmes of the University.

The concept paper along with the assessment of the possibility of university establishment concluded that a financial grant from the University Grant Commission and financial support from the Trust is indispensable. The committee suggested that the University could be built on land at Gothatar, Kathmandu that is owned by the Trust.

At least 200 ropanis of land is needed for the proposed University, the concept paper recommended. It further stated that there would be problems regarding the need of the University, acquisition of land and management of human resources and identification of sources for the University.

From source, it is known that the first phase proposed Shree Pashupati Hindu University will be completed by 2025, Shivaratri, i. e. Falgun 14, 2081 BS as per Nepali calendar.

With the ministerial decision of 15 February, a committee has been constituted under the coordination of cultural expert Dr. Jagman Gurung to prepare a concept paper as well as a feasibility study for the establishment of the university in the Pashupati area campus. The members of the committee are Prof. Dr. Ramchandra Gautam, Prof. Chetonath Gautam, Kamal Dhakal and Dr. Ghanshyam Khatiwada, Executive Director of Pashupati Area Development Fund, are the member secretaries.

Dr. Gurung, coordinator of the committee, said that the process of building a university for Nepal-oriented studies of Eastern philosophy and culture based upon Hindu roots has been initiated. Khatiwada, executive director of the fund, said the campaign was launched with the belief that Hindu lifestyle and its various dimensions should be made the main theme of Pashupati Hindu University.

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__Inputs from Himal Times.