A new road construction project has been initiated to connect Muna Malika, a scenic tourist destination in Dhaulagiri Rural Municipality-3, Myagdi. The Gandaki Provincial Government and Dhaulagiri Rural Municipality have collaborated to build this road, aiming to improve accessibility and attract more visitors to Muna Malika, which has long remained isolated due to its remote geography and lack of transportation facilities, according to Ward Chairperson Devendra Roka.
“In the current fiscal year 2081/82, the rural municipality allocated NPR 1.5 million, and through a consumer committee, a 2.1-kilometer road section from Muna to Sailakhark has already been completed,” he stated. “Additionally, the Gandaki Provincial Government has allocated NPR 2 million to construct another 3-kilometer section from Sailakhark to Malika Dhuri, with the Infrastructure Development Office preparing to announce a contract bid for this phase.”
Once the 5-kilometer road is completed, the travel time will be significantly reduced from five hours to just 45 minutes. At present, reaching Malika Dhuri requires a strenuous six-hour uphill jungle trek from Muna. After the road is built, visitors will be able to reach Malika with less than an hour of walking.
Located at an altitude of 3,700 meters above sea level, Muna Malika offers breathtaking views of sunrises, snow-capped mountain ranges, lush forests, and diverse wildlife. Visitors can witness panoramic sights of Putha, Gurja, Sisne, Dhaulagiri, Manapathi, Annapurna, and Nilgiri Himalayan ranges. Additionally, the settlements of Myagdi and Baglung can be seen from this vantage point, along with the mesmerizing interplay of clouds and mountains.
The trekking route from Muna to Malika Dhuri is also home to the rare Red Panda (Habre), making it a significant biodiversity hotspot. Muna Malika hosts an annual fair on Buddha Purnima, and it is believed that worshipping at Jalika, Malika, and Kalika temples during this time fulfills devotees’ wishes.
Locals from Malika Rural Municipality (Devisthan) and Dhaulagiri (Muna) visit this sacred site for religious rituals. In the past, traditional fairs and stone-throwing competitions were common here, as recounted by elderly residents. The area also served as a pasture for farmers who brought their cows, buffaloes, and sheep for grazing. Visitors, pilgrims, and tourists currently stay in temporary shelters as there are no hotels or restaurants, requiring them to carry their food and supplies.
To further develop tourism, authorities are conducting a feasibility study to connect Muna Malika with trekking routes leading to Devisthan, Takamkot, and Dhorpatan’s Jaljala, along with plans to establish resting shelters, tea shops, and other facilities, according to Dhaulagiri Rural Municipality Vice Chairperson Resham Pun Magar.
