Panchkula : Paramvir Singh, Minister of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, Fisheries and Mines & Geology, Haryana inaugurated the 6th Pinjore Heritage Festival today at 5.00 p.m in the gracious presence of Sh. Dhanpat Singh, IAS, Financial Commissioner and Principal Secretary Tourism Haryana, Sh. Anand M.Sharan, IAS, Managing Director, HTC, Haryana, HTC, Mrs. Ashima Brar, Deputy Commissioner, Panchkula, besides hosts of other senior officers of the District Administration & Haryana Tourism. The chief Guest was received in a traditional style reminiscent of ancient Mughal Culture and later escorted to various parts of the gardens where he took keen interest in handicrafts items at display in specially crafted bazaar.
He was amazed at the beauty of these ancient Mughal Heritage. He applauded the efforts of Haryana Tourism to restore these gardens to its ancient glory. 6th Pinjore Heritage Festival is organized by Haryana Tourism from 2nd to 4th December, 2011 at these historical Pinjore Gardens. Hon’ble Chief Minister, Haryana will be the Chief Guest at the closing ceremony of the festival on 4th December, 2011.
Built in the 17th century by Emperor Aurangzeb’s Architect and foster brother, Fidai Khan, appointed as the Governor of Punjab, this “Garden Palace” has been laid and curetted on a classical plan of a magnificent Mughal Gardens. This unique Garden has been laid at seven levels on a descending scale. The Garden comprises a central water channel (the inspiration), three principle terraces, axial plan, two square enclosures, corner bastions, gates at the ends of the central axis and cross axis , pavilion and palaces namely; the Sheesh Mahal, the Rang Mahal and the Jal Mahal along the central axis.
Various activities and events planned in three days festival were kick started with the Senior Citizen’s Heritage walk. For the first time, a Heritage Walk was planned as a part of the Pinjore Heritage Celebrations. Over 502 participants of the Senior Citizen Association (Registered) Chandigarh, Senior Citizen Association (Registered), Panchkula, Association of the Retired Government Officers and Senior Citizens Committees of various Sectors of Panchkula participate in the Heritage Walk. Arrangements for to and fro journey were made and their entry to the garden was free. Similarly, service of tea/snacks and lunch etc was also complimentary as a mark of respect for the Senior Citizens. All the participants were given a cap with the inscribed logo symbol of Heritage Festival. A brief cultural programme, tambola and anktashri were also performed by them.
The festival will remain open from 11.00 am to 7.00 pm on all days. Haryana Roadways has started special Bus Service between Chandigarh-Panchkula-Pinjore and back at short intervals. The entrance gate, parking area as well as the entire Gardens were illuminated in a manner to enhance the pristine glory of these Gardens by highlighting its architectural, aesthetic and landscape splendor. A number of competitions for various age gap of children were organized like Rangoli Competition, Cultural Programmes/Folk Dances by Schools/ Colleges, Heritage walk by Senior Citizens, Face Painting competition, Drawing Competition, Mehandi Competition and Fancy Dress Competition based on Ancient Dresses.