How Does Your Garden Grow?

Danielle Jackson

Who would have guessed that nestled in the Himalayan foothills near the city of Chandigarh, India, lies a popular roadside “junk” garden.

Thousands of people, judging by the average of 5,000 visitors per day who tour the country's Rock Garden to see human, animal and abstract forms created from rusty old drums, broken crockery, discarded toilet seats, wash basins and electrical fittings.

The brainchild of Nek Chand, this scrap fantasyland is just one of several gardens the retired Indian road inspector created to showcase some of the items he found throughout his career.

Chand began collecting junk in 1958, and for 18 years, he ferried pieces of debris on his bicycle and worked by night to shape the figures into works of art. Sometimes spending 10 to 12 hours per day, he then decided to showcase his creations in a garden.

The idea took off, and now companies call on Chand to offer their garbage and truck it to his desired location.

The artist has created similar gardens in Paris, London, Germany and Washington, D.C.
Source: Yahoo! News