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Incredible Sculpture Garden in India Has Taken 50 Years to Build (and It’s Still Not Finished)

Teddy Minford Teddy Minford |
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    All Photos Courtesy Of Teddy Minford

    Over years, the small mosaic garden has grown to over 40 acres—and it’s still growing.

    In Chandigarh, India, there’s a rock garden like nothing you’ve seen before. Started in secret in 1957 by sculptor Nek Chand, the garden began as a mosaic of river rocks and scavenged mosaic tiles from broken bathroom fixtures. Eventually, it was discovered by the authorities in the 1970s, and after some debate, the sculpture garden was allowed to stay. Over years, the small mosaic garden has grown to over 40 acres—and it’s still growing. A trip to the Nek Chand Foundation is a maze through secret passageways, under waterfalls, and over bridges, all surrounded by thousands (and possibly hundreds of thousands) of sculptures.

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    The scope of the park is huge, but it’s hard to tell at first. Each section is separated by a high wall and a small door, so it’s impossible to see the whole park at once.

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    All of the art is made from recycled and found objects.

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    There are colored glass and ceramic tiles from discarded fixtures and bottles.

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    Each passageway has its own secrets—like these tiny houses built on top of a wall.

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    The park starts small in scale as a series of “rooms” surrounded by mosaic walls and sculptures.

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    Some of the sculptures are shaped like people.

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    Some are shaped like animals, like these creatures made out of bottle caps.

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    Some are shaped like other things.

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    The park narrows again, funneling visitors through tiny doors. If you’re over 3 feet tall, you have to crouch to scramble through, taking care not to bump your head.

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    Eventually, visitors go through a dark passageway and the park opens up into huge space with castles and towers.

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    There’s even a waterfall.

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    There are plenty of places to lounge and take it all in, or relax in the shade.

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    On weekends, the park is popular with families, teenagers, and tourists. The Nek Chand Foundation is open daily from 9 am to 6 pm.

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