Pagoda

The Pagoda at Tierpark Hagenbeck has been built in a distinctively a Nepalese style of architecture. This "Pagoda" style refers to a multi-tiered or multi-roofed structure - not to be confused with a multistoried structure because not all floors in are of functional importance. The Pagoda at Tierpark Hagenbeck is dedicated to Lord Shiva and contains elements that can be found in traditional Shiva temples in Nepal.

The Pagoda is three tiered. It has a square base measuring 9x9 meters at plinth and is 16 meters tall. The ground floor includes a cella that is square in shape and has four doorways. The foundation (Jag) of the Temple consists of reinforced concrete cement (RCC) structure. This is followed by brickwork, which gradually attains the wall thickness of the ground floor. The plinth extends in front of the raised ground floor brickwork.

The structure of the Temple consists of a three tiered RCC skeleton structure with the bottom tier being the widest and the top most tier the narrowest. This RCC structure is clad by handmade bricks at each tier. The three tiers are built on top of another and each tier has brick walls with a specially made cement block core. The weight of the structure is supported by double brick walls and the cement block core. The walls are surrounded near the top of each tier by a broad brick and four layer hand carved wooden cornice. The cornice buttresses carved wooden struts (tundal and kusal), which lean outward at an angle of 45 degrees to support the wide eaves of the heavy roof. The struts are covered with intricate wood carvings of Lord Shiva and Vishnu in their various forms.

The sloping roof (chana) is covered by gilded cooper. The roof rests on wooden planks supported by rafters (musin). Rafters run vertically to the wooden planks they support and rest on another wooden support called the chalu. Chalus are supported by carved wooden struts whose lower end rests on the wooden cornice. Latticed windows (tiki jhya), which are set between the slanting roof struts and which projects outward at the same angle as the struts encircle the entire area right beneath the lowest roof like a honeycomb. Special upward-curving bricks and metal curves are placed on every corner of the roof to enhance the attractiveness of the roof. The Pagoda is topped off by a pinnacle (gajur), which is bell-shaped and made of gilded cooper and plated with gold.

The outer wall of the Pagoda contains elaborate and intricate wood-carvings and brick elements. Besides the carvings on the struts and cornice, the details and the quality of woodwork are most visible on the four doors (lukha) that adorn the ground floor and four windows (jhya) each on first and second floors. Each door has a pediment (toran) fixed to the upper frame as decoration and emphasis. The carvings on the doors and the torans are related to the God to which the shrine is dedicated. Carved windows (jhya) in different sizes decorate the walls on the first, second and third tiers.

A long streamer like banner (pata) descends from the Pagoda's pinnacle to below its lowest roof. Finally, two lions made of stones, each weighing about 1,500 kgs are placed in front of the main door and act as guardians of the Pagoda.

The Pagoda is surrounded by a pool on three sides. Wooden balustrades containing traditional prayer wheels (mane) are erected on sides facing the pool. Besides the Pagoda, the new entrance also consists of a building housing cashier counters and an administrative building. These two building incorporate local architectural style with Nepalese building materials, which were supplied by KTC.

The Pagoda is a first of its kind to be ever built outside Nepal. In fact, the Pagoda of this size has not even been built in Nepal for over hundred years. The Pagoda was designed by Kalinchowk Trading Company. The design incorporates various elements from different temples in Kathmandu valley. Structural designs for the RCC structure and the pool were complied and evaluated by Ingenieur Büro Kollmann, Osnabrück, Germany. The architect firm, Hackel-Kaape, Trimonis & Co. of Hamburg, Germany served as the local architect and consultant for the project. The architect for the administrative and cash counter building was the Hamburg based firm Plum Design. Kalinchowk Trading Co. supplied all Nepalese building materials and served as a consultant for the proper construction and installation of various building materials.


	HOME	ABOUT US	IMPORTS	EXPORTS	NEWS

On April 9th, 2003, Kalinchowk Trading Co. (KTC) completed the construction of a Pagoda (a traditional Nepalese temple like structure) at the Tierpark Hagenbeck in Hamburg, Germany. The Pagoda is the main attraction at the new entrance of this world renowned Zoo that has over half a million visitors annually. The Pagoda was built by highly skilled craftsmen from Nepal utilizing traditional building methods. Twenty professional and highly skilled craftsmen lived and worked on-site to create this cultural landmark that strives to bring the people of Germany and Nepal closer. Up to 300 skilled craftsmen and artisans, incl. highly skilled wood carvers from the towns of Bhaktapur and Patan, coppersmiths, and painters were involved in the production of various building elements. KTC supplied all necessary construction materials including 60,000 pieces of handmade Nepalese clay bricks and 12 tons of stones. Altogether, 150,000 kgs of building materials were shipped in 10 containers from Kathmandu to Hamburg for the construction of this cultural landmark. The new entrance to the Tierpark Hagenbeck with the Pagoda as the new landmark was officially opened on May 16, 2003 by the Lord Mayor of the city of Hamburg, Mr. Ole von Beusten and Mr. Joachim Weinlig-Hagenbeck and Dr. Carl Hagenbeck, the representatives of Tierpark Hagenbeck. Also present at the occasion were the Ambassador of Nepal in Germany, His Excellency Mr. Balaram Malla, Honorary Consul of Nepal in Hamburg, Dr. Peter Breiholdt, and many dignitaries and personalities from political, business and cultural circles.

Structure Description
The Pagoda at Tierpark Hagenbeck has been built in a distinctively a Nepalese style of architecture. This "Pagoda" style refers to a multi-tiered or multi-roofed structure - not to be confused with a multistoried structure because not all floors in are of functional importance. The Pagoda at Tierpark Hagenbeck is dedicated to Lord Shiva and contains elements that can be found in traditional Shiva temples in Nepal. The Pagoda is three tiered. It has a square base measuring 9x9 meters at plinth and is 16 meters tall. The ground floor includes a cella that is square in shape and has four doorways. The foundation (Jag) of the Temple consists of reinforced concrete cement (RCC) structure. This is followed by brickwork, which gradually attains the wall thickness of the ground floor. The plinth extends in front of the raised ground floor brickwork. The structure of the Temple consists of a three tiered RCC skeleton structure with the bottom tier being the widest and the top most tier the narrowest. This RCC structure is clad by handmade bricks at each tier. The three tiers are built on top of another and each tier has brick walls with a specially made cement block core. The weight of the structure is supported by double brick walls and the cement block core. The walls are surrounded near the top of each tier by a broad brick and four layer hand carved wooden cornice. The cornice buttresses carved wooden struts (tundal and kusal), which lean outward at an angle of 45 degrees to support the wide eaves of the heavy roof. The struts are covered with intricate wood carvings of Lord Shiva and Vishnu in their various forms. The sloping roof (chana) is covered by gilded cooper. The roof rests on wooden planks supported by rafters (musin). Rafters run vertically to the wooden planks they support and rest on another wooden support called the chalu. Chalus are supported by carved wooden struts whose lower end rests on the wooden cornice. Latticed windows (tiki jhya), which are set between the slanting roof struts and which projects outward at the same angle as the struts encircle the entire area right beneath the lowest roof like a honeycomb. Special upward-curving bricks and metal curves are placed on every corner of the roof to enhance the attractiveness of the roof. The Pagoda is topped off by a pinnacle (gajur), which is bell-shaped and made of gilded cooper and plated with gold. The outer wall of the Pagoda contains elaborate and intricate wood-carvings and brick elements. Besides the carvings on the struts and cornice, the details and the quality of woodwork are most visible on the four doors (lukha) that adorn the ground floor and four windows (jhya) each on first and second floors. Each door has a pediment (toran) fixed to the upper frame as decoration and emphasis. The carvings on the doors and the torans are related to the God to which the shrine is dedicated. Carved windows (jhya) in different sizes decorate the walls on the first, second and third tiers. A long streamer like banner (pata) descends from the Pagoda's pinnacle to below its lowest roof. Finally, two lions made of stones, each weighing about 1,500 kgs are placed in front of the main door and act as guardians of the Pagoda. The Pagoda is surrounded by a pool on three sides. Wooden balustrades containing traditional prayer wheels (mane) are erected on sides facing the pool. Besides the Pagoda, the new entrance also consists of a building housing cashier counters and an administrative building. These two building incorporate local architectural style with Nepalese building materials, which were supplied by KTC. The Pagoda is a first of its kind to be ever built outside Nepal. In fact, the Pagoda of this size has not even been built in Nepal for over hundred years. The Pagoda was designed by Kalinchowk Trading Company. The design incorporates various elements from different temples in Kathmandu valley. Structural designs for the RCC structure and the pool were complied and evaluated by Ingenieur Büro Kollmann, Osnabrück, Germany. The architect firm, Hackel-Kaape, Trimonis & Co. of Hamburg, Germany served as the local architect and consultant for the project. The architect for the administrative and cash counter building was the Hamburg based firm Plum Design. Kalinchowk Trading Co. supplied all Nepalese building materials and served as a consultant for the proper construction and installation of various building materials.
In the Media Hamburger Abendblatt Read Article 1 (in German ) Read Article 2 (in German) Read Article 3 (in German) Sylter Nachrichten Read Article 1 (in German)
HOME l ABOUT US l IMPORTS l EXPORTS l NEWS