An Oasis of Serenity in Kathmandu – The Garden Of Dreams

Outside, motorcycle horns screamed and taxis dodged pedestrians streaming through the narrow streets of Thamel, the backpacker district of Kathmandu. The ever-present dull gray smog was matched at street level by crumbling concrete buildings with black mold dripping down their faces. I stepped over a pile of mud and paving stones discarded during the city’s ubiquitous construction and wriggled my nose as the scent of rotting garbage wafted up from the street. Around the next corner was the doorway I sought, where a small, unremarkable sign announced: Garden of Dreams.

Inside, no hint of the exterior cacophony pierced the thick garden walls. People lounged on lush spring grass carpeting the steps of the semi-circular Greek-style amphitheater and spoke in hushed tones. The ordered garden, hidden courtyards, and burbling fountains in this oasis of peace and tranquility provided the perfect opportunity to wind down and escape the constant craziness of Kathmandu.

This neo-classical historic garden was originally installed during the 1920’s by the late Field Marshal Kaiser Shumsher Rana (1892-1964). Originally dubbed the Garden of Six Seasons, it was considered to be one of the most sophisticated private gardens of the time. Its use of European inspired elements such as decorative outdoor furniture, verandas, pergolas, balustrades and birdhouses was extremely progressive for the times but most impressive were its six pavilions, representing the six seasons of Nepal, which provided an architectural framework for formal arrangement of flowers, shrubs and trees.

Today, only half of the original garden remains. After Shumsher’s death, the property was handed over to the Government of Nepal, which allowed the buildings to crumble away and the plantings to fall into an overgrown tangle until a generous Austrian Government provided funds for its restoration. Beginning in 2000, seven years of extensive work revived the gardens to their original glory and added modern facilities including a restaurant, bar and tea salon.

The current amphitheater, three pavilions and pergolas are now a venue for private and corporate functions, receptions, cultural programs and classical concerts, however when not in use for events the grounds are open to the public. Entry into Garden of Dreams is Rs. 80 per person for Nepali and Rs. 160 (less than $2 US) per person for Non-Nepali. Little enough to pay for something as important as my sanity.