Alaina B Teplitz, the ambassador of the United States to Nepal, and, Bhesh Narayan Dahal, director general of the Department of Archaeology, on Monday inaugurated the restoration of the Char Narayan temple in Patan Durbar Square.

The Embassy of the United States in Nepal, through the Ambassador’s Fund for Cultural Preservation (AFCP), has provided $100,000 to the Kathmandu Valley Preservation Trust (KVPT) for the restoration of the temple, the embassy said in a statement.

The temple was badly damaged during the 2015 earthquakes.

“Combined with other donors, the funding will support the seismic strengthening and restoration of the Malla-era Char Narayan temple,” the embassy added.

Built in 1566, the temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and demonstrates a significant and highly-developed expression of Newari architecture.

The restoration work on the temple is expected to be completed within two years.

“Our work through the Ambassador’s Fund for Cultural Preservation serves as a symbol of the strong, vibrant partnership between our nations, as well as our respect for Nepal’s diverse and rich heritage,” said Ambassador Teplitz during the inauguration ceremony.

“As we celebrate the 70th year of diplomatic relations between our two countries, I am pleased to inaugurate the restoration work on Char Narayan as a tangible symbol of our mutual friendship,” she added.

The Ambassador’s Fund for Cultural Preservation is the only US government programme that provides direct grant support for the preservation of cultural heritage in developing countries.

According to the embassy, through the AFCP, the US Embassy has supported 22 other projects in Nepal since 2003—more than in any other country in the world.

“With $3.47 million in total investments, AFCP projects in Nepal range from the restoration of the historic Patan Royal Palace, ancient Buddhist “chhortens” in Mustang, the important Hindu site of Machali Pati and the preservation of the 11th century Rinchenling Monastery in Humla, among others,” the embassy said.