what a wonderful place to visit...

About Nek Chand

One day 36 years ago, Nek Chand, a humble transport official in the north Indian city of Chandigarh, began to clear a little patch of jungle to make himself a small garden area. He set stones around the little clearing and before long had sculpted a few figures recycled from materials he found at hand. Gradually Nek Chand's creation developed and grew; before long it covered several acres and comprised of hundreds of sculptures set in a series of interlinking courtyards.

After his normal working day Chand worked at night, in total secrecy for fear of being discovered by the authorities.When they did discover Chand's garden, local government officials were thrown into turmoil. The creation was completely illegal - a development in a forbidden area which by rights should be demolished. The outcome, however, was the enlightened decision to give Nek Chand a salary so that he could concentrate full-time on his work, plus a workforce of fifty labourers. Nek Chand's great work received immediate recognition and was inaugurated as The Rock Garden of Chandigarh.

Now over twenty five acres of several thousand sculptures set in large mosaic courtyards linked by walled paths and deep gorges, Nek Chand's creation also combines huge buildings with a series of interlinking waterfalls. The Rock Garden is now acknowledged as one of the modern wonders of the world. Over 5000 visitors each day, some 12 million people so far, walk around this vast creation - the greatest artistic achievement seen in India since the Taj Mahal.

http://www.nekchand.com/volunteers.html

The Rock Garden of Chandigarh Sector No.1Chandigarh (U.T.)India

Student and Volunteer Program

Board and lodging at the Rock Garden is available for grime-busters, repairers, researchers and recorders. Nek Chand has offered accomodation within the Rock Garden for groups of students or volunteers who like to spend 4 weeks at the Rock Garden. This is a wonderful opportunity to spend time living and working in the heart of this incredible visionary environment. We need groups of 4-6 people willing to be in Chandigarh at the same time. If you are an individual looking to take this opportunity, we already have a number of other people keen to make up a group of conservation volunteers.If you would like to assist in cleaning graffiti, repairing sculptures or researching and recording the work of Nek Chand, please print this form and send it to us, or email us at info@nekchand.com with all the information requested on the orm.

Articles
Rock Garden Silver Jubilee - Wednesday, September 18, 2002Tony Rajer, Nek Chand Foundation (View article)

Nek Chand: The untortured genius who built a paradise.http://www.rawvision.com/nekchand/nekchand.html

Nek Chand: An Early Encounter - Wednesday, September 18, 2002by: M.N. Sharma, Former Chief Architect of the Punjab State and Chandigarh (View article)

What a wonderful place to visit and may be work as a volunteer in!
I have to check this out…