Nek Chand’s exit route wish still unfulfilled, says son after doll museum inauguration at Rock Garden

For Anuj Saini, it was a day that saw his father and Rock Garden creator Nek Chand’s wish to construct a doll museum fulfilled. But also, Saini regretted of not

For Anuj Saini, it was a day that saw his father and Rock Garden creator Nek Chand’s wish to construct a doll museum fulfilled. But also, Saini regretted of not having yet created an exit route at the garden the way his father wanted even as two years have elapsed since his death.

The doll museum was inaugurated at Rock Garden on the second death anniversary of Nek Chand on Monday.. (Keshav Singh/HT Photo)

When the doll museum was inaugurated on Monday, hundreds of visitors from the city and beyond descended on the garden to pay tributes to Chand, who brought the city on the global map with his stonemasonry, on his second death anniversary.

Nek Chand continued to work on the garden even in his last days.

Before his death, Chand had shared some drawings suggesting to expand the garden. He wanted to create a one-way path to move out of the garden.

The museum was inaugurated by much fanfare on Monday.

“He always wanted to have a doll museum here. The idea was to prepare dolls made of leftover clothes from tailors. We will also come up with a museum displaying awards won by my father,” he said.

A scene of village men sitting under a tree created using rag dolls.

Saini said the museum will also display documentaries and short films related to his father’s work. “Having a museum displaying his tools and other belongings was also one of his last wishes. His cycle, tools, old pictures and awards would be displayed at the museum,” he said.

Visitors, including some from abroad, were impressed with the creative works. Some said water in the ponds and waterfalls needs to be cleaned up.