Yenga Hiti: A 1,500-year-old water system revived through Nepal-US partnership

December 6, Kathmandu: The historic Yenga Hiti in Kathmandu has been successfully restored, and its water flow reopened for the first time in 50 years. This significant cultural achievement was made possible through a partnership involving the U.S. Embassy in Nepal, the World Monuments Fund, and the Chiva Chaitya Organisation. The project was supported by a $275,000 U.S. Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation (AFCP) grant, symbolising the enduring and strong Nepal-U.S. collaboration.

A hiti is a traditional, centuries-old stone water spout or fountain system found primarily in the Kathmandu Valley. These sites are far more than mere architectural relics; they are essential community resources and intricate examples of ancient Newari hydraulic engineering, providing water for daily use, sustaining local life, and supporting religious rituals for centuries.

US Embassy’s Chargé d’Affaires Jason Meeks highlighted the profound impact of the work, stating that the restoration is “the renewal of a living water system that has served this community—and the nation of Nepal—for over fifteen hundred years.”

The successful revival of Yenga Hiti marks the completion of the first site under the broader “Hitis of Kathmandu Valley: A Water Heritage Rehabilitation Project.” This larger initiative is designed to restore at least three traditional hitis in the valley and provide essential hands-on training opportunities for local students and heritage professionals.

Nepal’s partnership with the U.S. through the AFCP is a long-standing and productive one, with the U.S. government having supported 28 cultural preservation projects since 2003, investing nearly $4.6 million to safeguard Nepal’s rich heritage while simultaneously boosting tourism and economic opportunities.