Site evaluation of Nek Chand's Rock Garden

Invited by Punjab Tourism and Nek Chand to evaluate interpretation and visitor experience at Nek Chand's famous Rock Garden in Chandigarh.

Set in over 25-acres this remarkable garden (the second most visited attraction in India after the Taj Mahal!) is totally built of recycled materials. The garden is home to thousands of sculptures set in large mosaic courtyards linked by walled paths, waterfalls, deep gorges and grotto's. Nek Chand's creation is a lifetimes work and is acknowledged as one of the modern wonders of the world. It receives over 5000 visitors each day and some say is the greatest artistic achievement seen in India since the Taj Mahal.

Nek Chand Saini was a self-taught Indian artist. He hailed from Shakargarh region (now in Pakistan) of district Gurdaspur. His family moved to Chandigarh in 1947 during the Partition. At the time, the city was being redesigned as a modern utopia by the Swiss/French architect Le Corbusier. It was to be the first planned city in India, and Chand found work there as a roads inspector for the Public Works Department in 1951. He was awarded the Padma Shri by Government of India in 1984.

Sadly Nek Chand died in 2015. It was a privilage to have met him.