The Garbha Durbar in Kailali district is in a dilapidated condition and in need of immediate repair.

The palace at Khairala in Chure Rural Municipality Ward No. 4 was constructed around 100 years ago by Khadga Shumsher Jung Bahadur Rana on 13 ropanis of land. It was used by the Ranas as a resting spot for when they travelled from the plains to the hills, according to locals.

Built in 1927 AD, the three-storey palace has 83 windows and 53 doors. Jeewan Gurung, a local, said the palace is overgrown due to the apathy of the authorities concerned. “The walls are falling apart and the roof has collapsed due to lack of maintenance,” said Gurung.

Krishna Bahadur Malla, ward chairman of Chure Rural Municipality Ward No. 4, said that the palace has been in ruins for the last 21 years. “There were artistic designs and artefacts in the palace. But they were burnt during the Maoist insurgency,” said Malla, adding that the then Maoist rebels had torched the building.

The ownership of the palace was handed over to the then Village Panchayat 36 years ago. Dirgha Sodari, a member of the provincial assembly, said that they have been taking initiatives to talk with the Department of Archeology to preserve the palace—but not much has come of the plans yet.

Surya Bahadur Thapa, the coordinator of the District Coordination Committee in Kailali, said that they are going to promote Garbha Durbar as a tourist destination. He said, “If the area could be developed as a tourist destination, economic activity in the area will boom.”