PM Narendra Modi greets French President Francois Hollande at Rock Garden in Chandigarh on SUnday. (PTI photo)
Chandigarh's iconic Rock Garden today hosted two high-profile visitors as Prime Minister Narendra Modi joined French President Francois Hollande for a tour of the place housing sculptures made from industrial and household waste.
Mr Hollande arrived this afternoon as he began his three-day visit to India during which, among other things, he will be attending the Republic Day function as Chief Guest.
PM Modi reached Chandigarh - the city designed by French architect Le Corbusier - around 80 minutes after Mr Hollande's arrival at 1 pm.
PM Modi received President Hollande at the Rock Garden, the celebrated creation of Nek Chand, a road inspector with the Chandigarh Administration, which was fashioned using waste items.
The French President took keen interest in viewing the artefacts made from household and industrial waste and other material and also sought details about the artworks, which feature animal and human sculptures made out of bangles, ceramic tiles, bathroom fittings, etc.
Many visitors were seen clicking photos along with the two leaders as PM Modi and President Hollande went around the place.
A tight security cover was in place with armed personnel keeping a close vigil as the high-profile visitors spent about 20 minutes at the Rock Garden.
Among those who accompanied PM Modi was National Security Adviser Ajit Doval.
Nek Chand Saini, the creator of the iconic Rock Garden used waste like broken crockery, electrical fittings, glass bangles, bathroom tiles, wash basins and bicycle frames to make sculptures of men, women, animals and gods at the garden, which is spread over an area of 40 acres.
Inaugurated in 1976, Rock Garden comprises several thousand sculptures set in large mosaic courtyards linked by walled paths and deep gorges.