Rock Garden Chandigarh

Rock Garden Chandigarh

The Rock Garden, Chandigarh is a renowned sculpture garden. It is also known as Nek Chand Saini’s Rock Garden after its founder Nek Chand Saini. He was a government official who started the garden secretly in his spare time in 1957. Today it is spread over an area of 40 acres.

This Garden sits near Sukhna Lake. It consists of man-made interlinked waterfalls and many other sculptures that have been made of scrap and other kinds of waste (bottles, glasses, bangles, tiles, ceramic pots, sinks, electrical waste, broken pipes, etc.) which are placed in walled paths.

History:

Nek Chand started collecting materials from demolition sites around the city. He recycled these materials into his own vision of the divine kingdom of Sukrani, choosing a gorge in a forest near Sukhna Lake for his work. The gorge had been designated as a land conservancy, a forest buffer established in 1902 that nothing could be built on.

Chand’s work was illegal, but he was able to hide it for 18 years before it was discovered by the authorities in 1976. By this time, it had grown into a 12-acre (4.9 ha) complex of interlinked courtyards, each filled with hundreds of pottery-covered concrete sculptures of dancers, musicians, and animals.

His work was in danger of being demolished, but he was able to get public opinion on his side. In 1976 the park was inaugurated as a public space. Nek Chand was given a salary, a title (“Sub-Divisional Engineer, Rock Garden“), and 50 laborers so that he could work full-time.

The Rock Garden appeared on an Indian stamp in 1983. The Rock Garden is made out of recycled materials. With the government’s help, Chand was able to set up collection centers around the city for waste, especially rags and broken ceramics.

Having a total of about 5,000 statues within its bounds, the Rock Garden in Chandigarh is a true example of ‘Best From Waste‘.

Some main Attraction of Rock Garden are :

• Waterfalls
• Dancing girls Sculptures
• Decorated walls
• Swings
• Mirror Wonder
• labyrinth of terracotta pots
• The stage for live shows
• Fish Aquarium and many more

Rock Garden of Chandigarh has been alluring its visitors since its inception due to its sheer brilliance and beauty. It is no small wonder, that people from far and near visit this place to experience the fantasyland up close and personal.

Make sure you visit this beautiful garden during your next trip to Chandigarh because the mysticism needs to be experienced and felt not just read. The garden is visited by almost 5000 people every day, make it to the count someday.

Entry Fee for Rock Garden :

• 30 Rs. per person for Adults
• 10 Rs. per person for Children

Timings to Open :

• From October to March – Mon to Sun (9 am to 6 pm)
• From April to September – Mon to Sun (9 am to 7 pm)