Chandigarh has the perception of having a unique world-acclaimed Rock Garden. It consists of art
objects, fashioned from industrial waste and urban waste. It is situated between Capitol Complex and Sukhna Lake of Chandigarh. It nestles amidst 22 acres of woods in the form of an open air exhibition hall, theatre trove and a miniature maze all rolled into one vast fantasy land of art and landscape. It is without doubt, a tourist spot that is a must on the guidebook of every visitor to Chandigarh.
A homey entrance leads to a magnificent, almost surrealist arrangement of rocks, boulders, discarded fluorescent tubes, broken and cast away glass bangles, building waste, coal and clay all juxtaposed to create a dream folk world of palaces,monkeys, village life, women and temples. The open air concealed gateways separating them are at places enhanced by waterfalls, pools and an open air theatre with proper stage. Several renowned performances have been staged in this small but very artistic and naturalistic open air theatre.
The Rock Garden has become a heritage site. Artists and buff from all over the world gaggle to see this unique and amazing creation. The concept is daring, the appeal chronic. Visitors leave in admiration, only to return again.Rock Garden is created by Nek Chand he was a Road Inspector in the Engineering Department of Chandigarh Capital Project. He roamed the Shivalik Foothills and picked up stones resembling birds, animal, human and abstract forms. He brought them on his bicycle. The first seven years from 1958 to 1965 were spent collecting natural material, urban and industrial waste. Gradually his collection mounted to an astonishing twenty thousand rock forms of amazing beauty. These were deposited around a hut which he had built for his work and reflection.
Rock Garden was accidentally discovered by Dr. S K Sharma who headed an Antimalarial party during a vector reconnaissance duty in the forest in which the garden is located. Soon thereafter the late Dr. M S Randhawa ( a former Chief Commissioner of Chandigarh ) visited the place and placed the matter before the Chandigarh Landscape Advisory Committee, as its Chairman, at a meeting held on June 23, 1973, suggesting that this garden of rocks, stones and scrap was the most unusual and it should be preserved in its present form, free from the interference of architects and town planners. The Rock Garden was thus inaugurated in 1976.
The display shapes are cast by using a variety of scrap materials such as frames, mudguards, forks, handlebars, metal wires,crowns of soft drink bottles, porcelain, auto parts, broken bangles, pieces of slate, burnt bricks and even human hair recovered from barbers' shops.
Nek Chand used a variety of waste material from discarded street lights, electrical switches, broken sanitary ware, crockery thus demonstrating how urban and industrial waste can be recycled in the right way and used in creative pursuit.
Another phase of the garden comprises the grand palace complex, minars, water falls, an open air theatre, a village, mountains, overbridges, pavilions and areas for royal pleasures. The tree and root sculpture offers a powerful contradiction to the existing vegetation.
An open air theatre and a vast pavilion with a centre stage are the other highlights of the Rock Garden where art and culture blend amidst the rustic and exotic environs of the garden.
Teej Festival, when the Rock Garden assumes a festive look, holds a special attraction for tourists.People from different places come to visit Rock garden during the Teej festival.Young damsels take part in the fun and frolic by swaying on the giant swings, while others adorn their hands with traditional Mehandi, amid joyful songs and dances.
As you stroll through the Rock Garden, enjoying the astonishing and inspiring creation, you may find yourself face to face with the unassuming, down to earth artist Nek Chand.
For more information Visit Wikipedia
A homey entrance leads to a magnificent, almost surrealist arrangement of rocks, boulders, discarded fluorescent tubes, broken and cast away glass bangles, building waste, coal and clay all juxtaposed to create a dream folk world of palaces,monkeys, village life, women and temples. The open air concealed gateways separating them are at places enhanced by waterfalls, pools and an open air theatre with proper stage. Several renowned performances have been staged in this small but very artistic and naturalistic open air theatre.
The Creator
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| Sculptures |
Rock Garden was accidentally discovered by Dr. S K Sharma who headed an Antimalarial party during a vector reconnaissance duty in the forest in which the garden is located. Soon thereafter the late Dr. M S Randhawa ( a former Chief Commissioner of Chandigarh ) visited the place and placed the matter before the Chandigarh Landscape Advisory Committee, as its Chairman, at a meeting held on June 23, 1973, suggesting that this garden of rocks, stones and scrap was the most unusual and it should be preserved in its present form, free from the interference of architects and town planners. The Rock Garden was thus inaugurated in 1976.
Collection
Since the site where Rock Garden stands today was also used as a scraping ground for urban and industrial waste. These pieces have been innovatively displayed as sculpt in the garden. |
| Waterfall |
Nek Chand used a variety of waste material from discarded street lights, electrical switches, broken sanitary ware, crockery thus demonstrating how urban and industrial waste can be recycled in the right way and used in creative pursuit.
Kingdom
The layout of the Garden is based on the vision of a lost kingdom. The moment one enters the garden, the small entrance doors make the head nod, not only create an ambience of royal dignity but also impart humbleness. One has to pass through a variety of doorways, archways, vestibules, streets and lanes of different scales and dimensions, each one opening into a new array of displays or courtyards and chambers lending an air of suspense and curiosity at every corner.Another phase of the garden comprises the grand palace complex, minars, water falls, an open air theatre, a village, mountains, overbridges, pavilions and areas for royal pleasures. The tree and root sculpture offers a powerful contradiction to the existing vegetation.
An open air theatre and a vast pavilion with a centre stage are the other highlights of the Rock Garden where art and culture blend amidst the rustic and exotic environs of the garden.
Teej Festival, when the Rock Garden assumes a festive look, holds a special attraction for tourists.People from different places come to visit Rock garden during the Teej festival.Young damsels take part in the fun and frolic by swaying on the giant swings, while others adorn their hands with traditional Mehandi, amid joyful songs and dances.
As you stroll through the Rock Garden, enjoying the astonishing and inspiring creation, you may find yourself face to face with the unassuming, down to earth artist Nek Chand.
For more information Visit Wikipedia
