Have you ever wondered what happens to the waste materials that we throw away every day? Do they end up in landfills, polluting the environment and harming the wildlife? Or do they get transformed into something beautiful and useful, giving them a new life and purpose?
If you are curious to find out, you should visit the Rock Garden Chandigarh, a hidden gem of art and sustainability that will amaze you with its creativity and ingenuity. The Rock Garden is a sprawling park that features thousands of sculptures made from recycled materials, such as broken tiles, glass bangles, ceramic pots, electrical wires, bicycle parts, and more. These sculptures depict various scenes of human and animal life, as well as abstract forms and shapes.
The Rock Garden is not only a tourist attraction, but also a testament to the vision and perseverance of its creator, Nek Chand. Nek Chand was a government employee who started building the garden in secret in 1957, using the waste materials that he collected from the nearby villages. He worked on his project for almost two decades, without anyone’s knowledge or permission, until it was discovered by the authorities in 1975. Instead of demolishing his work, the public supported him and his garden was officially inaugurated in 1976. Since then, the garden has grown to cover over 40 acres of land and has become one of the most visited places in Chandigarh.
If you are looking for a unique and eco-friendly tourist attraction that will inspire you with its beauty and originality, you should definitely visit the Rock Garden Chandigarh.
In this article, we will tell you everything you need to know about this amazing place, such as its location, timing, entry fee, history, attractions, and events.
Location, Timing, and Entry Fee
The Rock Garden Chandigarh is located in Sector 1, near the Sukhna Lake and the Capitol Complex. You can reach it by car, bus, auto-rickshaw, or bicycle from any part of the city. The garden is open from 9 am to 6 pm in summers (April to September) and from 9 am to 5 pm in winters (October to March). The best time to visit the garden is in the morning or evening, when the weather is pleasant and the light is optimal for photography.
The entry fee for the garden is Rs. 30 for adults and Rs. 10 for children (below 12 years). There is no charge for senior citizens (above 65 years) and physically challenged persons. You can also buy a combined ticket for Rs. 50 that includes entry to the Rock Garden and the nearby Sukhna Lake. The ticket counter is located at the main gate of the garden.
History
The history of the Rock Garden Chandigarh is a fascinating story of how one man’s passion and creativity turned a barren land into a wonderland of art and culture. Nek Chand was born in 1924 in a village near Lahore (now in Pakistan). He migrated to India after the partition of 1947 and settled in Chandigarh, where he worked as a road inspector for the Public Works Department.
In 1957, he started working on his dream project: creating a garden of sculptures using waste materials that he collected from the nearby villages. He chose a secluded spot in a forested area near the Sukhna Lake, where he cleared some land and started building his sculptures. He worked alone for almost two decades, without anyone’s knowledge or permission. He used natural materials like stones, mud, and wood to create the base of his sculptures, and then decorated them with recycled materials like broken tiles, glass bangles, ceramic pots, electrical wires, bicycle parts, and more. He also planted trees and flowers around his sculptures to create a natural setting.
He created thousands of sculptures of various sizes and shapes, depicting scenes of human and animal life, such as dancers, musicians, warriors, animals, birds, waterfalls, etc. He divided his garden into three phases: Phase I consisted of small sculptures arranged in courtyards; Phase II consisted of large sculptures arranged in open spaces; Phase III consisted of abstract forms and shapes arranged in geometric patterns.
In 1975, his secret garden was discovered by the authorities who were planning to expand the city. They were shocked to find out that he had encroached upon government land and had violated several building codes. They decided to demolish his work and reclaim the land. However, Nek Chand appealed to the public for support and managed to save his garden from destruction. The public recognized his artistic talent and appreciated his efforts to create something beautiful out of waste. They also saw his garden as a symbol of the city’s identity and culture. They petitioned the government to spare his work and declare it as a public park. The government agreed and officially inaugurated the Rock Garden in 1976. Nek Chand was appointed as the director of the garden and was given a team of workers to help him maintain and expand his work.
Since then, the Rock Garden has grown to cover over 40 acres of land and has become one of the most visited places in Chandigarh. It attracts millions of visitors every year from India and abroad, who come to admire the creativity and originality of Nek Chand and his sculptures. The garden has also received international recognition and acclaim, and has been featured in several books, documentaries, and exhibitions. Nek Chand passed away in 2015 at the age of 90, but his legacy lives on in his garden and in the hearts of his admirers.
Also Read: The Definitive Weekend Itinerary For Best Things to Do in Chandigarh
Attractions
The Rock Garden Chandigarh is a feast for the eyes and the senses, as it offers a variety of attractions for visitors of all ages and interests. The garden is divided into three phases, each with its own theme and style. Here are some of the highlights of each phase:
Phase I
Phase I is the oldest and the most intricate part of the garden, where you can see the small sculptures arranged in courtyards. These sculptures are made from broken tiles, glass bangles, ceramic pots, electrical wires, bicycle parts, and other waste materials. They depict scenes of rural life, such as dancers, musicians, warriors, animals, birds, etc. You can also see some waterfalls and fountains that add to the charm of this phase.
Phase II
Phase II is the largest and the most spacious part of the garden, where you can see the large sculptures arranged in open spaces. These sculptures are made from natural materials like stones, mud, and wood. They depict scenes of urban life, such as cars, trains, planes, buildings, etc. You can also see some swings and slides that are fun for children.
Phase III
Phase III is the newest and the most abstract part of the garden, where you can see the geometric forms and shapes arranged in patterns. These forms and shapes are made from concrete blocks, metal sheets, pipes, etc. They create a contrast with the natural setting of the garden and reflect the modernity of the city.
Teej Festival
The Rock Garden Chandigarh is not only a place to see art, but also a place to experience culture. Every year, in the month of August or September, the garden hosts the Teej festival, a traditional festival that celebrates the onset of monsoon and the bond between husband and wife. The festival is marked by folk performances, rituals, food stalls, games, rides, and other activities that attract thousands of visitors from near and far.
The main attraction of the festival is the procession of women dressed in colorful clothes and jewelry, who carry earthen pots on their heads and sing songs in praise of Goddess Parvati, who is believed to grant marital bliss and prosperity. The procession starts from the Capitol Complex and ends at the Rock Garden, where a statue of Goddess Parvati is installed. The women offer prayers to the goddess and seek her blessings for their husbands.
The festival also showcases the rich cultural heritage of Chandigarh and its neighboring states, such as Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, etc. You can enjoy various folk dances, music, drama, comedy, puppet shows, etc., performed by local artists on different stages set up in the garden. You can also relish various delicacies from different cuisines at the food stalls or shop for handicrafts and souvenirs at the stalls.
The Teej festival is a great opportunity to witness the vibrant and diverse culture of India and to enjoy a fun-filled day with your family and friends at the Rock Garden Chandigarh.
Conclusion
The Rock Garden Chandigarh is a unique and eco-friendly tourist attraction that showcases the creative genius of Nek Chand and his recycled sculptures. It is a place where art meets nature meets culture meets fun. It is a place that will inspire you with its beauty and originality. It is a place that you should definitely visit if you are in Chandigarh or nearby.
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