As said in my last story on https://www.ghumakkar.com/2010/05/28/musoorie-surkanda-dhanaulti-dehradun/#more-11241 I am breaking the jinx of not writing, finally I guess it’s broken so trying to provide the review of one of the few places I visited.
It was couple of years back when I was working in Chandigarh and got married in late 2007. One fine weekend we were wondering where we can go nearby and spend the whole day and definitely return by the evening. Knowing our concern our landlord aunty suggested us to go and spend the time in Pinjore Garden which most of you might know it’s on the way to Kasauli from Chandigarh.
We readily agreed because aunty was very positive that we would be able to spend good time there alone (wink), other reason was that we did not have other option…(smile)…and how many time we will go market of 17.
So that Saturday we got up early and moved for Pinjore aka Yadavindra Gardens. We moved for Pinjore on my bike and after crossing Panchkula we headed for Pinjore….
We reached Pinjore with the information and impression that it’s Mughal Gardens style.
From outside it looks like we are entering some small fort.
Pinjore had long stretched garden everywhere inside with lots of trees where you will find couples sitting hiding themselves (if you know why). The garden was also visited by families who went there as a picnic spot and the kids were playing all around. This reminded me of old those days of childhood when we use to go picnic during Sundays.
Altogether in my view Pinjore was the place where I would like to go only if I am sleepy and want to sleep under the tree with no disturbance. Anyways we did not stayed there for long and after taking the pictures for remembrance headed back for Chandigarh.
On coming out of Pinjore I realized that the Kalka ji Temple is only one or half kilometer away and we decided to go there as well.
Since Kalka ji is Kali Devi mandir and it was Saturday it was very much crowded. With no hassels we did the darshan. While coming out we even saw few scapegoats for Kali maa.
We still had lot of time to spend and after not getting contended with Pinjore visit we hesitantly decided to visit Cactus garden in between Panchkula and Chandigarh.
After using the Indian way of GPS system we reached Cactus garden. It was again a quiet place with very less crowd and the perfect place of college going couples.
I was surprised to see the size of cacti over there. Oh my my they were so big I really liked that place just for the variety of cactus they had maintained and of course the size of cacti. They were amazingly big and to my surprise. The only thing I was concerned how the garden was maintained with so less visitors…but it was happening good in disguise that at least the less disturbance was attracting the college going crowd.
I bet as in India we do not promote such types of places and when we go abroad we rush to see even smallest of gardens or the city museum and utter WAOW. Then why not WOW for such things in our mother India.
In this way we successfully spent that fine Saturday and after having the lunch on the way back we came back.
Bear with my old trip stories (wink).
Dear Rohit,
I have been to Pinjore, no doubt it is one of the best gardens of India. but never have been to Cactus garden. Quality of pictures are very good.
Thanks for sharing it.
Hi Rohit,
I went to the Cactus Garden around 12 years back and it looked exactly the same as it does in your pictures. It is good to see that it is being maintained in spite of comparatively less number of visitors.
Keep Writing.
Cactus Garden looks great !
Pictures are very nice !
Cactus garden certainly looks good for a visit on a Delhi-Himachal trip. Thanks for the post.
I didn’t eve know that there is such a garden on this route. Thanks for introducing me to this place. How far is the detour from Zirakpur-Pinjor-Kalka road.
Not sure exact in kms but as Cactus garden is within Panchkula so it should be 30-45 minuts drive to reach the garden.
i have never seen cactus garden in chandigarh,can u tell me how we can reach there.photograps r nice
vinod its in Panchkula its like 3-4 years back when i went there so i do not remember the exact sector…the best way is to ask any local shopkeeper and i am sure they can help you with directions….
Cactus Garden at Panchkula is one of the best garden I have visited till-date specially when it is Cactus garden and the beauty inside the garden is Wow.. Thanks for writing.