Mukundapur
Mukundapur is a town in Nawalparasi district of the Lumbini Zone of southern Nepal. Nearby, the eponymous ruins of the Mukundasen Palace, believed to have been constructed as early as 1429, lie abandoned in a forest. Located at 1893 meters above sea level and not easily accessible by road, the hilltop ruins are nonetheless the site of both a new temple of Siddheshwori and a hiking trail project.
For Heritage as Placemaking, Binita Magaiya looks at the ruins of Mukundasen Palace near Mukundapur as a case study of erasure, analyzing how the ruins, despite their abandonment, have become a burgeoning site for placemaking.
The newly constructed temple of Siddheshwori on top of a hill, with signpost describing the hiking trail at the ruins of Mukundasen visible. Photo © Binita Magaiya.
Close-up of a signboard with details of the hiking trail project at Mukundapur. Photo © Binita Magaiya.
Mukundapur, local houses in the vicinity of the site. Photo © Binita Magaiya.
The newly constructed temple of Siddheshwori on top of ruins of Mukundasen Palace. Photo © Binita Magaiya.