Nepalese Pagoda

This pagoda was made for the IGA 1983 by the interest group "Preservation of Asian Culture" and transported to Munich. For 7 months 300 Nepalese worked on the artistic pagoda. It stands on a plateau and its silhouette is reminiscent of the pagoda in the National Shrine in Pashupatinath near Kathmandu. In contrast to the pagoda near Kathmandu, the Munich pagoda has an open, but due to our weather conditions glazed columned hall and thus reminds us of the Nepalese rest and assembly houses.The artwork was carved from the hard wood of the sal tree (Shorea robusta), the same material from which all shrines in Kathmandu were made.The symbolism on the outer façade of the Munich Nepalpagoda relates to the worship of Shiva (Lord of the Living Beings). In the field above the entrance (tympanum) Shiva is depicted intercepting and taming the heavenly stream Ganga falling to earth with his mop of hair.From May to October, the pagoda is decorated for meditation and ceremonies on full moon weekends, to which visitors are cordially invited. A small fun fact on the side: During the transport of the Nepalpagode to Munich, 400kg of hashish were smuggled in.