Garden of Dreams

On our last day in Katmandu, we spent some time at the Garden of Dreams.  It was a short 5 to 10 minute walk from our hotel.  My nice husband made sure we visited it before we left. 

The Garden of Dreams, a neo classical historical garden, is situated in the midst of Kathmandu, Nepal. The Garden was famous as the garden of Six Seasons which was created by the late Field Marshal Kaiser Sumsher Rana (1892-1964) in early 1920's. After the completion of the Garden, it was considered one of the most sophisticated private gardens of that time. It was beautifully designed and inspired by the Edwardian style. Kishore Narshingh, a prominent architect who designed and constructed Singha Durbar in 1907, designed and supervised the construction of the Garden of Dreams. Within the Garden walls, Kaiser Sumsher created an exquisite ensemble of pavilions, fountains, decorative garden furniture and European inspired features such as verandas, pergolas, balustrades, urns and birdhouses. He erected six impressive pavilions, each dedicated to one of the six seasons of Nepal. These pavilions provided the Garden's architectural framework and lent a cosmopolitan flavor to the formal arrangement of flowers, shrubs and trees. Today, only half of the original garden is in existence.

After the demise of Kaiser Sumsher, the garden was handed over to the Government of Nepal, however, it was not properly managed for decades. Seven years of extensive renovation has revived the Garden as per the original concept with added modern facilities. It now has become an oasis of peace and tranquility in the urban bustle of Kathmandu. The size of the Garden is 6,895 sq. meters including three pavilions, amphitheater, central ponds, pergolas, urns and combination of small gardens to larger ones.

Pavilion off to the left after you enter the main gate

Scott on swing

A spider plant just like I have.  A variegated version was sitting next to it, which I also have. 

Sphinx - the garden's original sphinx, made of plaster and brick, lost her head and tail during years of neglect and vandalism.  The restoration left questions of her unknown face and head unresolved, although a piece of plaster decoration found in the garden was added on top of the void to suggest an mystical mask or headgear.

Laxmi, the Goddess of Wealth and Abundance.  Originally conceived as Nike, the Greek goddess of victory, and inspired by her famous marble image at the Louvre in Paris. 

Much better than a plastic garbage bin

A plant I can't grow in Colorado

Bird of Paradise

There were roses all over Nepal.  Mostly red or pink.  

 

 

 

Another view of the gardens