Rock Garden
When you hear the word garden, it is always associated with trees, flowers, benches, green grass where you can spend time with family and friends on a weeked picnic. City Beautiful Chandigarh is quite rich when it comes to garden, like Huge Gardens and one of the reasons why people love it here. One of the few cities close to nature.
However, there is one , very unique garden that does not grow trees nor flowers, but Waste Material. Interesting right?
Rock Garden in Chandigarh came to life from the creative mind of Mr. Neck Chand. As people describe him, a humble Transport Official of the City.
In the early 1960s, Chand collected stones resembling human or animal and abstract forms. Both natural, or industrial waste. He started to make figures out of them and placed them in his small improvised area that was built for his government work. He made these figures at night secretly after his work. (Some sort of a hobby)
Eventually, his masterpieces developed and became huge that it almost covered acres. Just like movies, before happy endings happen, there are always issues in the story, such as, these creations were prohibited. It has been in rules of the government that things that are developed in a forbidden area which by rights should be removed.
However, the Government soon supported him and gave Chand enough resources so he can concentrate and finish this promising work of art.
The area is now more or less 25 acres with thousands of beautiful sculptures. Figures and sculptures that represents both traditional and modern India. And it is still a work on progress to make each visitor feel that there is always beauty in everything even a broken tile makes a great instagrammable wall.
It has also a cafe inside if you want to take a break before moving to the next area. Kids and Kids by heart will surely enjoy the huge swings. It’s just that you need to wait for your turn and if you are lucky enough, you get your turn.
Walking inside Rock Garden makes you feel the passion of its maker. The details of each rock formation is incredible. Each piece symbolizes hope, patience and love. A large mosaic of inspiration, a modern wonder of the world. The garden also includes small doors that will make you bow. An act of humility. Huge architectures like a palace, tall trees, and interlinking waterfalls that makes every person or group stop to take a snap.
This is definitely one of the “Must See Places” when visiting India. Over 4000 people a day, I think this might be one of the most visited places in India next to Taj Mahal.
There is also one small version of Rock Garden in Kerala-South Part of India.
The Rock Garden Chandigarh is open daily.
Summer Season (April 1 to September 30) 9:00AM to 7:30PM
Winter Season ( October 1 to March 31) 9:00AM to 6:00PM
Entrance for Adult is INR30.00 and INR15.00 for kids.
