Pinjore Gardens and blessings of a Fauji...

Pinjore Gardens and blessings of a Fauji....

Chandigarh and Nek Chand's world famous Rock Gardens are inseparables. A tourist's visit to Chandigarh is incomplete without visiting it. But, how many of us know that the same place has the historical Pinjore Gardens? How many of us have ever visited it?
My first visit to Chandigarh was as a part of the Mini Bharat Darshan during our Induction Training Course at LBSNAA, Mussourie. Our itenary did not include it. In fact we didn't get to hear anything about it during our two day stay. It was only when I went on a short trip to Chandigarh with my son during his vacation and googled up on the important places to be seen in Chandigarh that I discovered this place existed. Our love for exploring new places goaded us to head there and we were more than happy with our desicion.
The Pinjore Gardens is one of the loveliest and oldest gardens in North India.
The garden is laid out in seven terraces which gradually descend into the distance. The main gateway is fascinating as it opens into the highest terrace and gives a glimpse of the grandeur about to unfold. The manicured gardens lined with decorative trees and widespread mango orchards are a treat to the eye. The entire garden is engulfed in a huge wall. The first terrace is the highest and has a palace built in the Mughal-Rajasthan style of architecture called the Shish Mahal. The Hawa Mahal is also located on this level. 
The garden had been designed by Fidai Khan, the trusted lieutenant of Aurangazeb. He was an architect and fascinated by the place had created this piece of beauty.
The second level has arched doorways along with the painted palace or the Rang Mahal. The structure was charming due to it's beautiful symmetry. It also gave us a sight of gardens stretching endlessly into the horizon. My mobile went clicketty click as Vishnu and me posed for pictures. We also helped three senior citizens to click their pictures.
The third level has flower beds and cypress trees leading to the orchards having beautiful mango trees full of the lusciuos fruits and litchis hanging down in bunches  from the green trees. The pathway had a beautiful waterway with fountains and cute little bridges in between to cross over.
The next level is the Jal Mahal encircled in water. It had lovely minarets and windows from where one could enjoy the beauty of the garden.
The two levels further down have more trees and fountains, and the last level has an open-air theatre. We walked down till the  end of the garden absorbing its uniqueness and beauty.
Our return walk was amidst the mango and litchi trees leading to food stalls where we bumped again into the 3 senior citizens whose pictures we had clicked. Two of them continued walking but the older one stopped and started speaking to us. He was an ex-serviceman from Jind. He took pride in the fact that he had worked for the nation. He had two sons and both of them had joined the army. His daughters were happily married and settled. He enjoyed his retirement by visiting different places and seeing India's beauty. He said he was very happy that we had helped them to click their pictures. He felt I was like his daughter. Suddenly he put his hand into his long flowing kurta and took out a twenty rupee note and handing it to me said, beta, buraa na mano, ye meraa aashirwaad samazh ke le lo, meaning , please don't mind, take this as my blessing. I felt my eyes moisten. An ex-serviceman, who had dedicated his life for the nation and had enrolled both his sons in the army was blessing me and it was certainly special . I took it with gratitude and have preserved it with similar treasures I received in my life.
We then headed to the food stalls and gorged on the chaat and lassi.
As we walked back hand in hand to proceed to our next destination we discovered that the history of the Pinjore Gardens dates back to the Mahabharata. It is believed that the Pandavas came upon this lovely spot after their 12 year old exile and stayed here and called it ,"Panchapura". After they recovered their empire and reigned for 36 years they frequently visited this place before they finally went to the Himalayas and disappeared into oblivion.
Also though the garden was made by Fidai Khan he hardly lived there due to a fear of the dreadful disease goitre. The Patiala Maharajas took it over and used it. The place is also known as the Yadvindra Gardens.
For me, the visit to Pinjore Gardens became memorable for more than one reason. Make your visit to Chandigarh memorable too by visiting this beautiful monumnetal garden on your next trip , you too will take back with you more than a part of history.....