Annapurna Municipality Approves Statue, Museum, and Peak Renaming to Honor the Late Nirmal ‘Nimsdai’ Purja
MYAGDI — Annapurna Rural Municipality has formally approved a series of commemorative projects to honor the legacy of world-renowned Nepali mountaineer Nirmal Purja (popularly known as “Nimsdai”), who was killed in an avalanche on Pakistan’s Broad Peak on July 30.
During an executive meeting on Tuesday, the municipal leadership passed proposals to build a life-size statue, establish a dedicated museum, and seek official name changes for key geographic landmarks in his home region.
Key Commemorative Initiatives
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Statue & Memorial Museum: The municipality plans to erect a life-size statue of Purja—with Annapurna Base Camp under consideration as a primary site—and establish a memorial museum in his birthplace of Dana village, potentially near Rupse Falls.
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Renaming Proposals:
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Annapurna I (8,091m): A proposal to rename the peak “Nimsdai Annapurna” will be forwarded to the federal government following consultations with Purja’s family.
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Maurice Herzog Trail: The council has proposed co-naming the historic route as the “Nimsdai Maurice Herzog Trail,” with plans to consult the French mountaineer’s family beforehand.
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Family Consultations: Local authorities stated that final site selections and implementation plans will be finalized with Purja’s family following his funeral proceedings.
A Trailblazing Legacy
Born in Dana village, Myagdi, Purja gained global recognition through his 2019 “Project Possible,” climbing all 14 of the world’s 8,000-meter peaks in a record-breaking six months and six days. A former British Special Boat Service (SBS) commando, he had summited all 14 eight-thousanders twice and was on track to achieve repeat summits without supplemental oxygen when the disaster occurred on Broad Peak.
Beyond high-altitude achievements, Purja actively supported his local community by establishing a Rs 4 million education endowment fund that provides scholarships and supplies to schools in Dana.
