Keshar Mahal Garden

For many years, the preservation of Nepal's unique architecture, as part of the World Cultural
Heritage, has been an important objective within the work of the Austrian Development Cooperation (OEZA).

The Keshar Mahal Palace and Gardens - also called the 'Garden of the Six Seasons' or the 'Garden of Dreams' - is located in the centre of Kathmandu within the main tourist district of Thamel. It represents one of the most prominent architectural examples of Nepal's Rana period.

Years of neglect have resulted in the decay of its most magnificent pavilions and garden landscape. Not until 1998, the 'Visit Nepal'year, did a group of Nepalese and Austrian experts in the preservation of historic monuments take action to save and restore the site.

In order to stop the decay and to transform the park into a 'Garden of Dreams' again, Eco Himal, in cooperation with local and international experts, is engaged in restoring the entire site.

One of the main objectives is the restoration of the valuable historic buildings and the training of local craftsmen in the various skills of restoration. Along with the revitalization of the historical gardens, the development of high-quality tourism in the core of the city, with educational and recreational facilities which could also serve commercial activities, will form an integral part of the project.

Cultural events, exhibitions, a Viennese Café, a restaurant as well as a botanical garden with indigenous birds should secure a self-sustaining financial basis of the project. The income generated could enable further projects as well.

With the completion of the Keshar Mahal Gardens, local people as well as tourists will be able to enjoy a peaceful oasis in the midst of the modern city of Kathmandu.

For more details on the cultural-historic and architectural dimensions of the project, see
www.asianart.com/gardenofdreams