About Chandigarh

(Also see Chandigarh Tourism: )
Chandigarh, the capital of the states of the Punjab and Haryana set at the scenic environs of the foothills of the majestic Himalayas, was the brainchild of the first Prime Minister Pt. Jawahar Lal Nehru. It was designed to reflect the dreams and aspirations of India during the immediate post independence era by the French architect Le Corbusier. The young-at-heart, fast-growing and progressive city is striking for its urban planning, impressive buildings with brise-soleil facades, well-organized sectors and broad tree-lined avenues.It is famous as India's first "well-planned city" and is more popularly known as the "City Beautiful" and the “City of Roses”. The city hosts famous gardens and parks, architecture, residential areas and the network of roads with landscaped round-abouts.

Getting about in Chandigarh

Hop on Hop off Tourist Coach: This coach is one of the first of its kind in the country & is a major tourist attraction. The well furnished double decker coach with an open top roof moves in a circular route covering the major tourist destinations in the City. Having bought a single ticket, a person is entitled to board or disboard (hop on & hop off) any number of times in a day. This provides flexibility to see the places of interest and spend as much time as desired at a particular spot of his choice. The tariff is Rs 10 from Point-Point, Rs 25 for One Trip, Rs 50 for Half a Day & Rs 75 for Full Day.

Air-conditioned taxis: Air-conditioned taxi service is available round the clock and can be hired either by calling up the company directly or hiring the taxis from several locations around the city. These taxis are available for travel within Chandigarh as well as to neighbouring areas of Panchkula and Mohali. The vehicles are new, air conditioned/air heated and driven by uniformed drivers. They are monitored through GPRS technology by their respective control rooms. The charges are Rs. 15/- for the first K.M. and Rs. 12/- for the subsequent KMs. Contact numbers of the taxi companies are: 4141414 (Mega Cabs), 4646464 (Indus Cabs) & 4690000 (Hertz Cabs)

Climate: February is perhaps the best period of the year to enjoy the scenic beauty of Chandigarh with comfort & convenience. A light sweater may be ideal during the day.

What not to miss

The Rock Garden: Open from 10:00 19:00 on all days except Thursday and official holidays. This unique sculpture garden, the work of the city's internationally acclaimed artist Sh. Nek Chand, is spread over 64 acres. Sh. Nek Chand was working as a road inspector when he started to transform discarded building materials into beautiful rock sculptures. Visitors to the Rock Garden walk through a maze of paths, chambers and canyons. The garden is adorned with numerous unique human and animal forms in concrete and broken ceramic or glass.

Capitol Complex: The Capitol Complex is regarded as Le Corbusier's most spectacular work. The magnificent edifices, set against the Shivalik mountains, stand as massive concrete sculptures.

It is the seat of the government of the States of Punjab and Haryana. The three master-pieces are the Secretariat, the High Court and the Legislative Assembly separated by large piazzas. The Open Hand, the official emblem of Chandigarh, signifying the city's credo of ‘open to give, open to receive' is situated within the centre. City Center Sector 17: Sector 17 represents the main shopping and commercial centre of Chandigarh. This vast commercial complex is a pedestrian's paradise with four main piazzas meeting at a 'chowk'. It provides something for everyone, from hectic business activity to unhurried window shopping. Air-conditioned showrooms and departmental stores exist within large open spaces with attractive fountains. In the evenings, shoppers and tourists, enjoying ice creams or popcorns, sit on the steps of the "dove of peace" sculpture, where water cascades down from one level to another in geometrically shaped tanks, amidst delightful play of colourful lights.

Government Museum and Art Gallery: Open from 10:00 to 16:30 on all days except Mondays The Museum and Art Gallery was designed by Le Corbusier, and currently includes over 600 Gandhara sculptures and almost 100 ancient sculptures from other periods. It also boasts of several hundred miniature paintings as well as objects in stucco and terra cotta metal, ivory, lacquer, ceramic, enamel and fabric. A guide to the museum, a catalogue of contemporary art, and series of picture postcards available in the museum lobby make useful mementos of a visit to the Museum.

Sukhna Lake: The Sukhna Lake was artificially created through imaginative use of the waters of the seasonal rivulet 'Sukhna choe'. The tree-shaded promenade around the lake is a favorite spot to stroll and enjoy the tranquil ambience. Paddle-boats and yachting are available on rent for pleasant family activity. The lake and its heavily wooded shores constitute a nationally protected wetland. From December through February, aside from scores of local species of birds, visitors can see many aquatic birds from Central Asia and Siberia.

Gardens

Gardens are probably the favourite aspect of everyone in Chandigarh- residents and visitors alike. The city boasts of several gardens- each distinct in form and beauty. Leisure Valley runs through the entire length of the city, following the course of an existing seasonal stream. Sections of Leisure Valley that pass through various sectors have acquired particular forms and are more popularly known by their unique individual names.

Zakir Rose Garden: Named after India's former President, Zakir Hussain, the garden was established as far back as 1967. The largest Rose Garden in Asia, it is spread over an area of 27 acres and has more than 17,000 plants representing about 1,600 varieties of roses. The garden is the venue of the famous annual Rose Festival, which is held in February and is one of the main cultural events of the city and draws thousands of visitors.

Bougainvillea Garden: The garden is devoted to hundreds of varieties of bougainvillea. The creepers cover a wide assortment of arches, bowers, pavilions and arcades. Fitness Trails wind through this garden, designed to give each person who completes the route a complete exercise regimen as they savour its natural beauty. Shanti Kunj: The name of this garden literally translates to "Abode of Peace". The trees, pools and streams crossed by curved bridges and a large number of meditation nooks reflect this unique design of the garden. An open air stage provides opportunities for performances.

Children's Traffic Park: Concrete paths wander over the gently rolling slopes of this park; they are laid out to form "roads and intersections" and furnished with all sorts of road signs. This place, safe from heavy speeding vehicles is useful for children who are learning to cycle, and designed to teach them to use the road safely. Terrace Garden: A small valley running the length of the sector has been developed into a terraced flower garden and a garden for walkers with an illuminated musical fountain. The garden is the venue for the annual Chrysanthemum Show held in December. Rajendra Park: This vast open space has been left in its natural state, resembling the land of a village common. Sporting events such as horse shows are held here from time to time

Hibiscus Garden: Covers an area of 8 acres and its 40 different varieties of Hibiscus shrubs provide a riot of colour throughout the year, making a visual treat. Garden Of Fragrance: Situated to the south of the Hibiscus Garden, it is very popular for different varieties of aromatic and fragrant plants. The flower plants like Raat ki Rani, Motia, varieties of Jasmine, Demask Rose, Mehndi, Champa, Haar Shingar and many others cast a pervading aroma in this part of the Leisure Valley

Excursions Around Chandigarh

Cactus Garden: This unique garden laid out over several acres in the heart of Panchkula adjacent to Chandigarh contains hundreds of species of cacti and succulents -- some of them extremely rare. It draws not only tourists but botanists.

Mansa Devi & Chandi Mandir: In Panchkula, 10 kms from Chandigarh These two temples were pilgrimage spots long before Chandigarh came into being. These temples are typical examples of North Indian temple architecture. Attached to the Mansa Devi temple is a large garden of medicinal plants.

Chatbir Zoo: 15 kms from Chandigarh on the Chandigarh-Patiala Road. The zoo spreads over an extensive wooded area on the banks of the Ghaggar river. More than 100 different mammals, birds and reptiles are kept at the zoo. It also has a large population of lions and tigers which can be viewed from safari vehicles.

Pinjore Yadavindra Gardens: 20 kms from Chandigarh on the Pinjore Kalka road. This is a traditional Mughal garden, created in the 17th century by Nawab Fidal Khan, architect to the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb. The gardens are laid out over more than 100 acres on a sloping site with fountains and pavilions. It is open on all days and accommodation is available in at Rang Mahal and Sheesh Mahal.

Bhima Devi Temple: 22 kms from Chandigarh on the Pinjore Kalka Road. The shrine, part of the Panchayatan group of temples, dates back to the 11th and 14th centuries. Ancient idols unearthed from this spot are on display.

Morni Hills: 23 kms from Chandigarh. This high spur of the Shivaliks is a protected forest and a favorite spot for trekkers and nature lovers. One can definitely expect to see peacocks, rhesus monkeys and langoors; take the help of a Forest Ranger to get a glimpse of nilgai and sambhar and leopards. Several hotels, including Mountain Quail run by the Haryana Tourism Corporation offer accommodation.

Kasauli: 77 km from Chandigarh. A hill station popular for its unspoiled charm, pristine natural beauty and quiet trails. At night one gets a lovely view of the lights of Chandigarh from here.

Chail: 107 kms from Chandigarh. Built by the Maharaja of Patiala as a summer palace, Chail has now a posh hotel. Chail boasts the world's highest cricket pitch in addition to superb views of the mountains. Shimla: 107 kms from Chandigarh. This sprawling hill town, now the capital of Himachal Pradesh, was British India's summer capital. Excellent bus service makes it easily accessible from Chandigarh or one can travel by a charming meter gauge train. Shimla's attractions include the Mall and the Ridge, scores of grand old buildings including the Vice regal Lodge (now the Institute of Advanced Studies), the Jakhoo Temple with its hordes of monkeys, the thickly wooded Glen and Chadwick Falls, Annadale grounds and the Tibetan Bazaar. It is a major tourist destination and one will find plenty of accommodation and travel services.

Bhakra-Nangal: 116 km from Chandigarh. This is the highest dam of its kind in the world; it spans the Satluj River. The hydroelectric station here provides power not only for Chandigarh but for Delhi and many other cities. A 40 square km reservoir, the Gobind Sagar stretches out behind the dam.