Garden of Five Senses to get a Mayan touch — replica of Labna Arch

Soon, a replica of the world-famous Maya landmark, Arch of Labna, situated in Mexico, will be installed at the Garden of Five Senses at Said-ul-Ajaib, Saket.

This initiative is part of an 'expression of the friendship and growing links between Mexico and India' and will be funded by Mexico.

Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit is expected to lay the foundation stone for the project next month. The Labna Arch, also known as Labna Vault, is situated in the Yucatan region of Mexico and is an example of the classical period of Maya architecture (11th century AD). Labna is a Mesoamerican archaeological site and the ceremonial centre of the pre-Columbian Maya civilisation located in the Puuc Hills region of the Yucatan Peninsula.

"This artefact has been identified by the Mexican government to symbolise the many years of artistic, political and economic exchanges between the two countries,'' a government official said.

The Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) has been entrusted with the task of erecting the replica at the Garden of Five Senses.

"The Arch of Labna is an iconic Maya structure, which we will reproduce in the Garden of Five Senses. The Mexican government has already sanctioned Rs 35 lakh for the construction of this structure . Work is likely to begin soon and it should be completed in six to eight months,'' INTACH convenor AGK Menon said.

"Drawings of the arch will be sent by an agency in Mexico, which is equivalent to the Archaeological Survey of India. They will also ascertain that the replica is faithful to its original,'' Menon said.

Sandstones from Gwalior will be used to make the replica. A contractor has also been shortlisted for this project. "The Garden of Five Senses has several public art pieces. It would be an ideal location for a replica of the Arch of Labna. The Chief Minister is expected to lay the foundation stone for the project by February 15, after which work will begin,'' an official of Delhi Tourism said.

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