Discovering the Splendor of Pinjore Garden: A Historical Oasis in Haryana, Best Time to Visit

Part of the walled outer enclosure of the abandoned garden was demolished in 1793 to build a road. For the poor coolie women, well instructed beforehand, had told how the air and water of Pinjor caused this disease, which no one who lived there long ever escaped. It was built during the early days of Aurangzeb's rule but the accurate date is not known.

History of the Pinjore Garden

Pinjore Gardens is a place that offers a complete package of entertainment, education, and enjoyment for all kinds of visitors. These festivals showcase the local traditions, arts, crafts, music, dance, and food of Haryana. The garden has a range of cuisines to offer, such as Indian, Chinese, Continental, and Mughlai. The garden has a variety of items to offer, such as handicrafts, pottery, paintings, jewelry, clothes, books, and snacks.

For those seeking a tranquil retreat, a glimpse into royal heritage, or a delightful day out with family and friends, Pinjore Garden Chandigarh promises an unforgettable experience. Escape the hustle and enter a realm of historical elegance and natural beauty at Pinjore Garden Chandigarh, officially known as Yadavindra Gardens. Just a short drive from Chandigarh lies a place where time slows down, and nature takes center stage. Efforts to conserve and preserve Pinjore Garden are ongoing, with the Haryana government and various heritage

Welcome to Pinjore Gardens (Yadavindra Gardens)

He built the garden for his brother Aurangzeb who was the Mughal emperor at that time. It is a Mughal architectural garden that was built by Nawab Fidal Khan Koka who was a renowned architect of his time. The structural style of the Pinjore garden is similar to the Shalimar bagh in Srinagar that’s based on the terrace-style garden. During the monsoon season you can visit to see a three day Mango festival organised in this garden every year. When we entered, the water flow was stopped and it was quite hot, so evenings are a better time to visit. As you walk through those gardens, saunter through that stretch of land entrenched with lavish fountains, dotted with Cypress and other varieties of plants, you shall be able to experience first-hand what it felt to be a king or queen.

• Also, if you have visited or plan to visit Yadvinder Garden, please share your experience and photos with us.
• The garden is only 22 km from Chandigarh, and you can easily get a bus or hire a taxi to get there.
• The accurate date of the building of the garden is unknown.
• The festival entails mangoes competition, carts competition for school students, cultural programmes, crafts bazar, food court and evening cultural performances.
• The garden was built in the foothills of the Great Himalayas as a summer retreat for Mughal emperor Aurangzeb.
• Villiers-Stuart, who resided in the gardens for a time, included a description in her book on “Gardens of the Great Mughals” (1913).

Government of Haryana decided to upgrade the festival to an international festival from 2018 onward, by inviting competitive entries, exhibitions and cultural performances from all other nations. The festival entails mangoes competition, carts competition for school students, cultural programmes, crafts bazar, food court and evening cultural performances. Pinjore Baisakhi Festival, a two-day spring festival of Vaisakhi is usually held in April of every year, with regional gourmet food, traditional handlooms and handicrafts, live folk arts and cultural performances, specially by the Haryana State Department of Information, Public Relations & Cultural Affairs at 6 pm. The garden and the temple complex laid in an open-air museum, set up by Haryana State Directorate of Archaeology & Museums, are integrated through well-laid-out and well-drained pathways to remove any water logging. The garden, covered with wild overgrowth, came under the territory ruled by the Maharaja of Patiala during the 19th century British Raj, who used the garden terraces to grow roses for making attar perfume for the maharaja. The garden was built by Fidai Khan, a foster-brother to the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb.

• Today, Pinjore Garden stands as a symbol of India’s rich cultural heritage and a testament to the timeless beauty of Mughal architecture.
• Additionally, the gardens house a mini zoo, a historic palace, a Japanese garden, a nursery, and a number of picnic spots, catering to a range of interests.
• When Villiers Stuart calls it a ‘real Indian garden’ she means that it was a ‘flowery orchard’ (see note on Hindu gardens).

The accurate date of the building of the garden is unknown. It is said that this garden was for Aurangzeb’s summer retreat and that he himself had quite an input on the design of the garden. Pinjore Garden also known as the Yadavindra garden in a 17th-century garden located in Pinjore near Panchkula. The garden was originally designed as a retreat for the Mughal rulers Yadavindra Gardens and served as a pleasure garden during their reign.

For a while I was transported back in time as I could visualise the dancers and singers entertaining the residents in the evenings. The Jal Mahal at the centre of a water pool is well lit. The residential palaces in the initial level have been tastefully transformed into a hotel and restaurant. This chute, called chini-khana, has niches in which camphor lamps used to burn at night and bouquets of fragrant flowers were kept during the day. Soon, a rumour was spread that the air and water of Pinjore were causing goitre. However, Fidai Khan’s summer retreat alarmed the neighbouring hill rajas “for they dreaded the coming of the Mughal Court, and feared still more to lose the use of the precious water which irrigated the surrounding country,” says Villiers-Stuart.

The garden is suitable for different types of travellers, such as families, solo travellers, couples, and groups. Also, make sure to dispose of your waste properly, and do not litter or damage the garden. The garden also offers a light and sound show in the evening, which costs Rs. 50 per person, and Rs. 25 per child.

The Maharaja used this magnificent garden to grow roses for the making of perfume. It depends on when you visit! Also, if you have visited or plan to visit Yadvinder Garden, please share your experience and photos with us. Whether you are looking for a historical, cultural, or natural experience, you will find it in Yadvinder Garden. The garden is also easy to reach and explore, by road, rail, or air, and has some options for accommodation, if you want to stay longer.