YADAVINDRA GARDENS

Yadavindra Garden was the ancient name of this beautiful garden of Poinjore. The garden remains open for all days of the week from 7 am to 10 pm. The place is popular not just for the garden but also for the annual Mango Mela. Designed with the amalgamation of Persian, Turkish, and Indian architecture, the garden is spread over 100 acres. The garden is situated in the Pinjore city of Panchkula, in the territory of Haryana.

As the name suggests, this festival is an ode to the king of fruits- Mango! The traditional Punjabi festival of Baisakhi is celebrated in April every year. Various competitions are held during the festival like drawing, rangoli, folk dance, and Mehendi competition. The visitors are also entertained with a plethora of evening performances including dance, music, and drama. The Pinjore Heritage Festival is celebrated every year in December as a tribute to the rich legacy of this garden.

Local Connectivity

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. After many centuries, Muzaffar Hussain, popularly known as Fidai Khan Koka, the foster brother of Aurangzeb and the man who built the Badshahi Mosque in Lahore, was appointed the governor of Punjab which included this salubrious area. It was built on the springs of Panchpura, known as the town of the Pandavas.

MUGHAL IMAGES

• This splendid garden served as a summer retreat for the royal family and a venue for grand festivities.
• You can also purchase potted plants for your garden from here.
• The garden remains open for all days of the week from 7 am to 10 pm.
• It was built during the early days of Aurangzeb’s rule but the accurate date is not known.
• It is a place where history comes alive, allowing visitors to connect with the past in a meaningful way.

This Hindu temple is believed to be built between the 8th and 11th centuries. Later during the Patiala dynasty rule, the garden was revived and reformed. The locals started believing that the water and air of Pinjore have got contaminated and they left the beautiful place to never come back. An interesting thing about the garden is that the garden was abandoned due to Goitre, a disease that is caused due to lack of Iodine intake. Situated in the foothills of the Himalayas the garden is home to rare species of flowers and plants.

By Road

The terraces are connected by flights of steps and waterfalls, creating a harmonious and soothing effect. The palace also has a baradari (pavilion), with a dome and pillars, offering a panoramic view of the garden and the surrounding hills. The garden hosts various festivals throughout the year, such as Baisakhi, Mango Festival, Rose Festival, Heritage Festival, and Winter Festival. Pinjore Garden is more than just a tourist attraction; it is a cultural and historical landmark that offers a glimpse into India’s rich Mughal heritage. 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 Ittar perfume for the maharaja.

The garden Yadavindra Gardens has a heritage hotel, called the Rajhans Hotel, which is located in the Rang Mahal terrace. The garden has various facilities and amenities for the visitors, such as restrooms, drinking water, food stalls, souvenir shops, etc. Also, avoid visiting the garden during the monsoon season (July to September), when the garden can get muddy and slippery, and the water features can get disrupted.

The Herbal Garden

The first terrace, which serves as the main entrance, sets the tone with its grand gateway and Mughal-style pavilions. The garden is spread across seven descending terraces, each offering a unique view and experience. The Charbagh design divides the garden into four quadrants with walkways and water channels intersecting at the center, creating a harmonious and balanced landscape. The garden is laid out in the traditional Charbagh (four-part) style, which is symbolic of the Islamic concept of paradise.

It is one of its kind garden in this region which beautifully showcases the Mughal and Rajasthani architecture. The Pinjore Garden is a sure-shot spot on everyone’s to-visit list when in Chandigarh. 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.

The garden also offers a light and sound show in the evening, which costs Rs. 50 per person, and Rs. 25 per child. The entry fee to the garden is Rs. 20 per person, and Rs. 10 per child. Once you reach the garden, you can explore it at your own pace and convenience, as there is no fixed itinerary or guide. From Chandigarh, you can take a bus, a taxi, or a car to the garden, as mentioned above.