From New Delhi to Dublin

Located on 22 acres south of Dublin, Ireland in County Wicklow,  Victor’s Way Indian Sculpture Park includes sculptures of Ganesh, Shiva and The Buddha among many others.  The Garden was the vision of a German-born Irishman Victor Langheld who had spent years in religious orders in India, Thailand and Sri Lanka. Langfeld personally designed most of the black granite Statues that were hand-crafted in India. While many of the statues are of legendary figures in the Indian and Buddhist traditions, several of the sculptures have created controversy for their violent or erotic imagery leading to Langheld voluntarily closing the park in 2015. 

Langfeld had always maintained the park was created for mature adults who were interested in the art for its contemplative value. Langfeld also correctly asserted that many artistic works in Hinduism could be considered erotic but maintained the work was created for its creative and aesthetic value and not for prurient reasons. In 2016, the Park reopened with a higher admission fee (5 Euros) and an age restriction. 

I personally don’t consider his art pornographic or even erotic. But please judge for yourself.  I actually enjoy the work especially the Dancing Ganeshes,  (or is it Ganeshi?)

View from exiting  the “Birth canal.”

Buddhist Busts near the car park.

The starving Buddha. According to Buddhist tradition, Siddhartha Gautama who would later become the Buddha explored several paths to enlightenment including that of aestheticism and deprivation, before coming upon “the middle way.”  Fasting and extreme denial of any physical sensations are still practiced in some Buddhist and Hindu sects.

 

 

 

This sculpture called “The Split Man” was also a source of consternation, but I entirely seem to understand it. According to the artist,  the statue is symbolic of how we can be torn apart and split by polarities, the Yin vs. Yang. Also, being torn apart by indecisiveness.  Like the mother/child statue the theme is making the painful separation that is necessary for growth.

The Buddha

 

 

One of the favorite sections of the park is the dancing Ganesh statues.  Accompanied by a band of  Ganesh musicians, two Ganesh dance to the music. One of the most popular deities in the Hindu pantheon Ganesh is the mover of obstacles, a font of joy, and the bringer of prosperity.

 

Each player in the Ganesh band was created with great attention to detail.

Victors Way is south of Dublin Ireland in County Wicklow. The whole area is worth a couple days exploration with a popular National Park and several interesting castles. The park is only open during the Spring and Summer.  Admission is 5 Euros (about 7 US Dollars)