Chandigarh - The first planned city of India

How Plan was made

Year 2013 was not good from the point of Ghumakkari because of constrain of time & finance as we were busy in renovating the house. Once everything was settled we planned to visit Dalhosiee / Khajjiar in Dashera holidays, by the time we were planning we got news that we have to attend a relative‘s marriage during that time in Panchkula. 

As my family never have been to Chandigarh before we decided to go in advance so that we can visit Chandigarh, Panchkula & Pinjore during our three days stay over there.

Day 01 

Our journey started at 7.30 AM from Gurgaon , drive was smooth except we stuck in little jam at Azadpur due to trucks  near sabzi mandi. Our first stoppage was at  “Sukhdev da Dhaba”  - Murthal. This Dhaba is famous for its yummy Paratha’s. After having our mouth-watering Breakfast & some shopping outside dabha we left for Chandigarh.

Shopping outside Dabha

Around 01.00 o’clock we reached Rock Garden.  This is one of the most famous attractions in Chandigarh.  The Garden is spread over 40 acres which is full of creatures made by recycled materials and stone.

History of Rock Garden 

It was created by Nek Chand who was working as a road inspector for Public work department (PWD). He was born in 1928 in Punjab (now part of Pakistan).  After partition, In 1947 Nek Chand’s family move to India.

 In 1958 he started collecting stones and debris from the nearby villages destroyed for the construction of Chandigarh. Nek Chand’s main motto was to use recycled waste materials like bottles, glasses, bangles, tiles, ceramic pots, sinks, electrical waste, etc. which generally go useless creating pollution and convert the same into something interesting.

In early 1960s Nek Chand created around 2000 statues in secrete.  

In 1972 Government discovered and declared illegal as it was constructed on government owned land.  The existence was threatened but finally authorised by the Authorities. 

In 1976 Phase I & II was inaugurated. In 1980 Garden was awarded “ Grande Medaille de Vermil”  in Paris – France.

In 1983 first water fall opens & in 1984 Nek Chand was awarded Padam shree by Prime minister of India. In 1993 phase II opened & as per Nek Chand still lot to do.

Timing

Summer ( April – Sep)    9 AM to 7 PM

Winters (Oct – March)   9 AM to 6 PM

Ticket Charges

Adult                     ₹ 20/-

Children               ₹ 15/-

After visiting Rock Garden we left for Sukhana Lake which is close by Rock Garden and one of the worth visiting place in Chandigarh. 

Sukhna Lake Located in Sector 1, it is an artificial reservoir. A popular place to hang out, one can expect to find residents of the city jogging or strolling along the banks. There is a walking path, a cafeteria, shops and a mini-amusement park and paddleboats. 

The Sukhna Lake was created in 1958 by damming the Sukhna Choe, a seasonal stream that flows down from the Shivaliks. Storks and cranes make migratory stops at the lake. The lake, incidentally, has Asia's longest water channel for rowing and yachting.

You will find lot of artiest around the lake who will make your pencil sketch in nominal price.

We spend some time there & then left for Panchkula.  Late evening we enjoyed Mehdi function , dance and dinner. The hectic day end with full masti.

Next post on Panchkula & Pinjore will be coming soon till than happy traveling ..........