The Rock Garden of Chandigarh is a sculpture garden in Chandigarh, India. It is also known as Nek Chand's Rock Garden after its founder Nek Chand Saini, a government official who started the garden secretly in his spare time in 1957. Today it is spread over an area of 40 acres (16 ha). It is completely built from industrial and home waste and discarded items.
The Rock 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.
In his spare time, 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 1975. 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 still 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.
When Chand left the country on a lecture tour in 1996, the city withdrew its funding, and vandals attacked the park. The Rock Garden Society took over the administration and upkeep of this unique visionary environment.
Rocks announcing the Rock Garden (left) and the entrance (right). |
Rock announcing the Rock Garden.
|
Back of the rocky composition. |
Next to the entrance is a figure greeting visitors. |
On top of the Garden wall are figures of flamingos. |
Entering the Rock Garden. |
Corridor with rock formations on the walls simulating animals. |
Gate giving access to a paved corridor. |
Paved corridor. |
Corridor with clay pots covering the walls. |
Garden with small pool. |
Balcony overlooking courtyard with stone wheels. |
Courtyard with two stone wheels. |
Entering a narrow passage between two rock walls. |
Walking through the narrow passage. |
Entering an underground hall. |
Inside the underground hall. |
Stone benches to watch outdoor shows. |
Artists painting portraits of visitors. |
Waterfall with a cliffed building at the top. |
Balcony simulating a tangle of tree roots. |
Another balcony to enjoy the view of the waterfall from a higher
point. |
In the distance we see the ruins of a castle. |
Crossing another narrow passage. |
In the distance we see houses simulating a small village. |
Crossing a small bridge. |
Walking along a narrow and slippery path next to a stream. |
Sculptures on the wall simulating small shrines. |
We are back to the waterfall with a cliffed building at the top. |
This time we took the path to the balconies. |
The waterfall seen from the balconies. |
Inside the balcony simulating a tangle of tree roots. |
Crossing another narrow passage. |
Time to rest. |
A construction simulating the skeleton of a building. |
Going down a narrow passage. |
A square with stones simulating spectators. |
Walking towards a closed cave. |
Climbing stairs to a higher level. |
Crossing another narrow passage. |
A curved swimming pool. |
Curving beneath arcades made from scrap pieces. |
Square with well in the center. |
Entering the Doll Museum. |
Doll Museum. |
Entering the hall of figures sitting in the lotus posture. |
Hall of figures sitting in the lotus posture. |
Entering the village courtyard. |
Village courtyard. |
Entering the city courtyard. |
City courtyard. |
Entering the hall of seated figures. |
Hall of seated figures. |
Entering the last hall. |
Last hall. |
Leaving the Rock Garden. |
See also
-
Yadavindra Gardens
-
Le Corbusier Center, Chandigarh
-
Chandigarh Capitol Complex
-
Chandigarh Survival Kit
Source
Location