Gandaki to seek World Heritage Site status for Lomanthang Palace

By Hari Krishna Sharma

Muktinath (Mustang), Apr. 8: The Gandaki Province Government has announced in its policy and programme for the fiscal year 2025/26 that it will take the initiative to list the Lomanthang Palace on the World Heritage List. The palace is a site of historical and archaeological importance located in Lomanthang Rural Municipality–5, Mustang. 

The provincial government had initiated restoration work six years ago on the 15th-century palace located in Lomanthang Bazaar, which lies at an altitude of 3,880 metres above sea level.

Despite various initiatives taken by local, provincial, and federal government representatives, the palace has not yet been listed as a World Heritage Site.

When the proposal to list the site under UNESCO was introduced in 2008, the local community initially showed hesitation. UNESCO has since conducted repeated studies after recognising that listing the site would facilitate its protection and help attract tourists.

Tasi Nharbu Gurung, Chairperson of Lomanthang Rural Municipality, said that while efforts are being made to preserve the ancient civilisation of Lomanthang also known as the “Mud City” there are concerns that it may lose its identity if it is not listed soon.

He said, “The process is still ongoing. We are continuously taking initiatives to attract tourists while preserving the ancient identity of Lomanthang.”

According to Chairperson Gurung, there has not been sufficient interest from government agencies in preserving the palace’s ancient architecture, its 700-year-old history, the heritage of the upper region, and Tibetan culture.

The five-storey Lomanthang Palace was built in the 14th century during the reign of King Angden Sangwo Bista using stone, clay, and wood. Following the death of the last (25th generation) King of Lomanthang, Jigme Parwal Bista, in 2016, members of the royal family now use the palace for various functions, including festivals, but tourists are not allowed inside.

The palace was repaired after it developed cracks during the 2015 earthquake. Umesh Poudel, head of the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) in Lomanthang, said the palace is a major attraction for both domestic and international tourists and that efforts are ongoing for its conservation and promotion.

For approximately 4,000 foreign tourists who visit Upper Mustang annually, the palace is the most popular attraction.The Lomanthang area is also home to 15th-century monasteries and caves. The Tiji festival, the main festival of the Upper Mustang community, is celebrated annually in front of the palace.

Meanwhile, the Gandaki Province Government has also proposed development initiatives for Muktinath Temple, an important pilgrimage site for both Hindus and Buddhists, located at an altitude of 3,710 metres above sea level in Baragun Muktichhetra Rural Municipality–1.