A historical palace dating back to the pre-unification period of Nepal in the district is awaiting renovation.

Jajarkot Palace as it is known is in almost dilapidated condition. The palace which was built almost 250 years ago—in 1825 BS—has unique artistic outlook.

The palace was built by the then King of Jajarkot, Hari Shah, a close friend of Prithvi Narayan Shah, who is credited for starting the campaign for a unified Nepal.

Rajendra Bikram Shah, a local, said the concerned authorities have failed to recognise the historic significance of the monument and hence have not paid heed to renovate and preserve it.

Though the district administration office is providing services from the palace building, it is in almost dilapidated condition. The seven-story building was reduced to four-story after the devastating earthquake in 1934.

Locals expressed their worry over the loss of historical assets of the palace as no concerned authority has paid attention to preserve them.

The Jajarkot principality was one of the powerful kingdoms when there existed Baisi (22) principalities before the unification of Nepal. Janakraj Sharma, assistant chief at the District Administration Office, shared that though his office had been frequently reporting about the need of renovation to the concerned bodies, the requests have fallen on deaf ears. Around Rs 130 million is needed for its reconstruction, he said.