Rock and Roll

On Sunday afternoon, we visited Chandigarh's most treasured attraction--the Nek Chand Rock Garden. Nek was a city employee bored with his work who took to secretly creating whimsical art in a deserted stand of trees on the outskirts of the city. For years, he used whatever he could find--old lighting fixtures, broken dishes, bits of glass, old burlap bags--and transformed them into a fairy tale village. When the city found out about it, he was actually jailed for a short time before they realized what a treasure trove he was creating, and then released him and lent support in his efforts. He's become something of a national hero for his one-man quest, and many are praying for him now as he lies ill in a Delhi hospital.

We spent two hours wandering through tiny arched stone doorways, canyons made of cement filled burlap bags, past silent armies clad in china-plate mosaic armor, through a waterfall topped by imposing twisted figures of Hindu deities, and into an open amphitheater complete with giant swings, camel rides and dancing. In that journey, I came to realize that this garden is a monument to India. India if filled with people like Nek Chand. They have an inspiring ability to find and embrace the beauty in the messes of every day life. To me, the Rock Garden is a glorious reminder that in order to fully experience the world, I have to see with an eye for possibility and beauty. I hope someday you'll get a chance to see it and understand what I mean. Enjoy the photos!
Jen