Mustang is no longer a subject of mystery and admiration. Today, hundreds of domestic and foreign tourists reach Lower and Upper Mustang. A similar crowd of religious tourists can be seen visiting Muktinath, which is considered the center of faith for Hindus. The rush of tourists and the rush of cars was not a new thing for Mustang. Damodarkund, Kagbeni, historical monasteries here are attracting tourists.
The attraction of Mustang is not only limited to religious beliefs . The unique color of nature and the mountain scenery with the 8 thousand 167 meters high Dhaulagiri snow peak including Nilgiris, Bhrikuti, Gurja visible from the Mustang surroundings has made Mustang special . The natural beauty here is special. The description of the snow range seen from Chhahara, Muktinath, Ghasa and Upper Mustang is unique. But for a long time, the whole world was not aware of this solar power of Mustang. Even those with information could not reach here easily.
2065 After the opening of the road track, a situation was created to reach Mustang by car. Before that, walking or riding a horse was the only option to reach Muktinath. After the change of 2046, the government had made a five-year plan and aimed to provide roads in Mustang. But due to the inadequacy of the budget and the delay in the work, this road has not been completed even in 36 years after the establishment of democracy.
After the 70s, except when the roads were blocked by floods and landslides, you can easily reach Jomsom by car from Muktinath and above Corolla Naka by car. At present, many parts of the road from Beni in Myagdi to Jomsom, Kagbeni to Muktinath have been paved. An unpaved road has been prepared to reach Corolla Naka in Upper Mustang. Apples of Mustang can reach Kathmandu by car in one day . Road facilities have also made it easy for those interested in seeing the beauty of Mustang.
But the picture three decades ago was not like this . Due to the lack of road transport, one had to walk for three to four days to reach Muktinath. Mustang apples were taken to Kathmandu by airplane. Due to the high air fare, the apples of Mustang reached the market . But it was expensive. In the absence of an accessible market, the apples of Mustang fell off the tree and rotted. One of the locals had established a distillery to make alcohol from apples. But its market was also small. The Mustang was totally different from the rest of the world . Mustangi people were rich with their own customs and traditions. The Dhukuti system was used to enable the poor to run a business .
fifties Deprived of communication, roads and electricity for a decade, Mustang has now started to draw electricity lines to Corolla. Road construction started in Mustang from 2052/053 with the activism of local people, now internal roads have also been built.
32 years ago on August 15, 2050 'Permanent news of the district of Himalpari' news was published on the inside page of Kantipur covering the beauty and mystery of Mustang. In the news prepared by journalist Vishnu Ghimire, it is mentioned that 60 schools including 9 secondary schools were running in Mustang at that time. In this news, a picture of the physical condition of Mustang at that time has been taken.
presentation: Rishiram Paudyal
![[Archive] What was Mustang like three decades ago?](https://assets-cdn-api.ekantipur.com/thumb.php?src=https://assets-cdn.ekantipur.com/uploads/source/news/kantipur/2025/miscellaneous/kantipur-archieve-1842025102702-1000x0.jpg&w=1001&h=0)