MYAGDI: Construction has begun on a road connecting the tourist destination Muna Malika in Dhawalagiri Rural Municipality-3 of Myagdi.

The road, linking Muna to Malika Dhuri, is being built by the Gandaki Province government and Dhawalagiri Rural Municipality to attract tourists to the area, which has long been neglected due to its geographical remoteness and transportation challenges, according to Devendra Roka, Ward Chairman of Dhawalagiri Rural Municipality-3.

Roka explained that the construction of a two-kilometer, one-hundred-meter stretch from Muna to Sailakharka has been completed with funding of Rs. 1.5 million from the Rural Municipality’s budget for the current fiscal year 2081/82.

The Infrastructure Development Office has also prepared a contract invitation for the construction of an additional three-kilometer stretch from Sailakharka to Malika Dhuri, funded by Rs. 2 million allocated by the Gandaki Province government.

With the completion of the five-kilometer road under these two projects, the travel time from Muna to Malika Dhuri will be reduced from five hours to just 45 minutes.

Currently, it takes at least six hours to walk the steep forest path to Malika Dhuri from Muna, but once the road is finished, the journey will take less than an hour.

Muna Malika, located at 3,700 meters above sea level, offers stunning views of the sunrise, the Himalayan range, and the surrounding mountainous geography.

Visitors can also witness the region’s wildlife, including the rare Red Panda. The area provides breathtaking views of the Putha, Gurja, Sisne, Dhaulagiri, Manapathi, Annapurna, and Nilgiri mountain ranges, as well as the settlements of Myagdi and Baglung.

Roka added that the trekking route from Muna to Malika Dhuri also passes through the habitat of the endangered Red Panda.

A religious fair is held at Muna Malika every year on Buddha Purnima, attracting worshippers to a shrine dedicated to Jalika, Malika, and Kalika Devi.

It is believed that praying at Muna Malika on Buddha Purnima fulfills one’s wishes.

Devotees from Devisthan in Malika Rural Municipality and Muna in Dhawalagiri visit the area for worship. In the past, religious fairs and cart-throwing competitions were held here, and local farmers would bring cattle and sheep for the event.

While there are no hotels or restaurants in the area, visitors stay in shelters and bring their own food and provisions.

Resham Punamagar, vice-chairman of Dhawalagiri Rural Municipality, noted that a feasibility study is underway to shorten the travel time and route, build shelters, establish tea shops, and connect Muna Malika with nearby water bodies in Devisthan, Takamkot, and Dhorpatan.