Multicultural Museum Construction Begins at Bungabung Park in Khotang

Khotang. The construction of a multicultural museum has commenced at Bungabung Park (Stone Garden), currently under development at Kaknidanda, located near the world-renowned tri-religious site of Halesi. The Halesi Tuwachung Municipality, in partnership with the Koshi Province Government's Ministry of Tourism, Forest, and Environment, has initiated the project at this religious and tourist destination.

Municipal spokesperson and Ward No. 7 Mahadevsthan Chairman Kamal Giri stated that the Koshi Province Government and the municipality have each allocated one crore rupees for the construction of the multicultural museum building.

According to spokesperson Giri, Ganga-Jamuna Construction Service, Taplejung, has been awarded the contract for 9 million rupees from the provincial budget, while Sudevi Construction and Suppliers Pvt. Ltd. has taken responsibility for the construction for 8.081 million rupees from the municipal budget.

The contract, signed on Falgun 22, stipulates that the museum construction must be completed by the end of Jestha. The municipality stated that one building will be constructed using the provincial budget, while two buildings will be built with the municipal funds.

Mayor Bimala Rai stated that the multicultural museum is being built at Bungabung Park with the objective of preserving and promoting multilingual, multi-ethnic, and multicultural identities.

“We have planned to promote tourism while preserving local culture, history, traditions, and the lifestyles of various communities. The multicultural museum building is expected to contribute significantly to the development of cultural tourism in the Halesi region,” she said. “The municipality has prioritized this as a project of pride. We are urging the contractor to complete the construction on time.”

Locals are delighted with the start of the museum construction at Bungabung Park, a tourist spot at Kaknidanda, which is a 30-minute uphill walk from Halesi, the confluence of Hindu, Buddhist, and Kirat religions.

The Halesi Tuwachung Municipality is working to upgrade Kaknidanda, a long-standing local picnic and leisure spot, into an attractive destination for domestic and international tourists.

Ongoing work includes decorating natural stones, planting flowers between rocks, building stone gates, constructing stone water spouts, and creating sculptures depicting the scene of Mahadev being chased by Bhasmasur. Additionally, designs are being created using black, white, and red stones to form floral patterns without disturbing the natural rock formations.

The Halesi Tuwachung Municipality has named the stone garden under construction at Kaknidanda, located in Mahadevsthan-7, as 'Bungabung' Park.

The park features stone gates for photography and viewing the Himalayas, including Mount Everest. Perimeter fencing, artistic stone staircases, and wooden resting areas have been completed. Future plans include electricity, drinking water, rest areas, cable cars, restaurants, and coffee shops.

Legend has it that the artistic rock formations at Kaknidanda were created when Mahadev's footprints fell there while being chased by the demon Bhasmasur. Bungabung Park, already a favorite among tourists, lies at the entrance of the Mundum Trail, one of the 100 tourist destinations identified by the Government of Nepal.

The Mundum Trail, related to Kirat civilization, starts from Halesi and extends through Rupakot, Temke, and Maiyung to Salpa Silichung. The origin of Kirat civilization, Tuwachung-Jayajum, is also located near Halesi and Kaknidanda.

The park includes a guard house, restaurant, main entrance, toilets, and a ticket counter. From Bungabung Park, one can easily view Mount Everest and other mountain ranges, as well as neighboring districts like Solukhumbu, Okhaldhunga, Bhojpur, and Ramechhap, along with the plains of the Terai.

Bungabung Park can be reached from Kathmandu via the Mid-Himalayan Highway through Sindhuli-Khurkot-Ghurmi-Jayaramghat. It is also accessible from the Terai districts via Mirchaiya-Katari-Ghurmi-Jayaramghat or through Dharan-Dhankuta-Bhojpur-Chakhewa Bhanjyang-Diktel.

The park is a 20-25 minute walk or a 10-minute drive from the Jayaramghat-Halesi road. A Detailed Project Report (DPR) has been prepared to develop the park over 56 ropanis of land.

Locals report that hundreds of domestic and international tourists visit the park daily. Pictures of the park under construction are already circulating widely on social media.

The tourism promotion and infrastructure upgrade initiatives started by the Halesi Tuwachung Municipality are being viewed with great importance in the district. Tourism entrepreneurs are encouraged by the investment from provincial and federal governments in these projects.