Kathmandu, May 20: Construction of Nepal’s Himalayan Pavilion at Expo 2000 has been completed in Hannover, Germany.

On the occasion of the 2544th Buddha Jayanti, a special Puja (or worship) was performed to mark the completion of the pavilion.

Royal Nepalese Ambassador Balram Singh Malla and Commissioner General of Expo 2000 ambassador Birgit Breuel were.

More than 200 guests including Nepalese consul general, senior government officials, businessmen and prominent personalities attended the function.

Ambassador Malla speaking on the occasion, described the Nepalese pavilion as the symbol of Nepal-German relations.

Expo 2000 commissioner general ambassador Birgit Breuel congratulated the Nepalese team on the completion of one of the nice pavilions for Expo 2000s and hoped that Nepalese participation will bring people of the two countries closer and help promote Nepalese economic and cultural interactions with Germany and Europe.

Chairman of the implementing experts group and deputy commissioner general for Nepalese participation Amrit Ratna Shakya spoke about what Nepal intends to present at the Expo.

Ambassador Malla and ambassador Breuel gave away special decorations to Nepalese carpenters and carvers.

German TV, radio and newspaper give wide coverage to the function.

Nepal Himalayan Pavilion has a 23 metres high Buddhist Stupa together with 11 meters high Hindu temple at the centre of 2500 sq.meters Mandala shaped garden, encircled by 62 meters long walkway and a 150 sq.meter-pond.

A team of 30 carpenters, masons, engineers and architects worked for more than three months to build the Himalayan pavilion.

About 450 MT of construction materials including hand carved artistic wood stone and metal works were brought from Nepal.

During the 153-day Expo, Nepal will present at least 10 special programmes.

Prominent artists including popular film actors and actresses will present cultural programmes at the Expo during the country national day on 19 September, 2000 and beyond. A number of skilled craftsmen will demonstrate live their work on wood, clay, metal.