G7 summit Germany venue Schloss Elmau has deep connection with India; Know all about it

Germany-based Schloss Elmau castle, which has been chosen as venue for 48th Group of Seven (G7) summit, is back on scene with its rich history. However, venue this year is special for ar reason, its deep-rooted connection with India. Among a gamut of facilities, castle's connection with India is reflected through  motif of " elephant" found running across facility. castle also houses a family restaurant named 'Ganesha',  Lord of new beginnings. 

Tracing Schloss Elmau roots to India

Schloss Elmau's connection to India is attributed to its owner Dietmar Müller-Elmau, who is said to have spent his early years in India. An investor in Information Techlogy sector, Müller-Elmau, who is grandson of Johannes Müller who built facility, was involved in charitable activities during his stay in India. Earlier in an interview, facility's owner reflected on his affinity and connection with India saying “re (in India),  inspiration of individual freedom is very prounced.”

When Müller-Elmau left India, he carried a part of country with him as his fascination for Indian architectural designs and woodwork prompted him to take majority of floor-to-ceiling windows, furniture and curtains for his hotel from India and or Asian countries overseas. Interestingly, Indian culture has emerged as a crucial component of Schloss Elmau's identity as it is venue of several musical concerts throughout year. This has been a major attraction for Indian classical music aficionos from Germany and or European countries who crave an auntic musical experience from master Indian artists.

Apart from Ganesha restaurant, several yoga and wellness centers in Schloss Elmau and ir Indian names Ananda spa Restaurant, Jivamukti Yoga Studio and Shantigiri spa is a clear reflection of castle's connection with India. 

About  Schloss Elmau

Schloss Elmau, which has served as venue for G7 summit previously in 2015, was built after beginning of World War I in 1914 by Johannes Müller. Müller was a philosopher and ologian and according to his grandson, he built facility as a place for "communal living". According to Washington Post,  castle, which once served as German military's vacation camp as well as a place for Holocaust survivors, slipped out of  Müller family's hands after Second World War. 

"My grandfar wanted to create a place of communal living where you could escape from yourself, from what he called self-interest, self-centeredness," Müller-Elmau said as per Washington Post. " idea was to enable 'freedom from oneself', which is contrary to what I want to enable, ' freedom for oneself".

Im: Schloss Elmau