Kirtipur, Kathmandu, Nepal
The conference centered around the theme "Sacredness, Symbolism, and Society: Practices in South and Southeast Asia" and featured various sub-themes, including pilgrimage, beliefs and symbolism, cultural heritage, philosophical ideas, ethnicity, gender, economics of religion, regional art, monuments, language and literature, folklore, environment and ecology, culture of diaspora, and a special session on Nepal's culture and religion. In addition to the specified topics, other related papers and individual panels were also welcomed.
Over 125 research papers were presented by scholars from around the world, providing valuable insights into different aspects of the conference's themes. The event facilitated networking and collaboration opportunities for academics, professors, researchers, and students from various universities, potentially leading to joint academic projects and student exchange programs.
The program also had positive impacts beyond academia. It promoted tourism in Nepal, benefiting the government, businesses, and hoteliers. The presence of more than 40 foreign scholars who visited heritage sites helped showcase Nepal's cultural heritage to the world, further enhancing its appeal as a tourist destination. Overall, the conference proved to be highly fruitful for the Central Department of Nepalese History, Culture, and Archaeology (NeHCA), the university, the government, businesses, teachers, and students alike. It marked a significant milestone as the first of its kind organized by NeHCA and successfully fostered international academic knowledge exchange and cooperation.