Chandigarh
(also known as the City Beautiful) is a beautiful city of India. It
is one of the most well-planned cites in India. It is
internationally known for its beautiful architectures. It is home to
numerous architectural projects. Chandigarh is the capital of the
states of Punjab, Haryana, and the Union Territory of Chandigarh. It
is Indias first planned city and shows a rare epitome of
modernization co-existing with natures preservation. The
beauty of city is worth visiting. It is here that the trees and
plants are as much a part of the construction plans as the buildings
and the roads. Rightly, Chandigarh is known as the City
Beautiful. On your tours to Chandigarh, you will have
wonderful opportunity to see its several attractions of tourist
interest and explore the beauty of the City Beautiful.
Attractions
- Rock Garden
It was established by Nek Chand. This
famous and beautiful garden has thousands of sculptures set in a
large mosaic courtyards linked by walled paths and deep gorges
and a combination of huge buildings with a series of
interlinking waterfalls. The Rock Garden is now acknowledged as
one of the modern wonders of the world.
- Rose Garden
The Zakir Hussain Rose Garden is Asias
largest Rose Garden and is spread over 30 acres of land having
over 1600 different species of roses. The garden was planned by
Dr. M.S. Randhawa as his interest in horticulture and fondness
for flowers was immense. Every year, either at the end of
February or beginning of March, a big festival known as Rose
Festival, is celebrated at this garden. Over 20,000 people visit
this festival. Its one of the greatest and must see event
in the city.
- Government Museum and Art Gallery
Palace of the
Assembly by Le Corbusier - Chandigarh This museum has an
enormous collection of miniature paintings of the Gandhara and
Pahari schools of art. Erected on columns, the building is a
work of art providing a natural canopy roof for the ground
space. This is in fact the display area for large antique
sculptures.
- Sukhna Lake
Occupying an area of 3 km, this is a
favourite tourist spot in Chandigarh. The lake is thronged with
the locals taking breezy walks along its banks which have
provisions for boating and yachting on all days.
- Mansa Devi and Chandi Mandir
Situated at a
distance of about 15 kms from Chandigarh, this is the temple
from where the city of Chandigarh derives its name. The temple
is situated in the state of Haryana. Devotees from all over the
country visit this temple for blessings of the goddess Mansa
Devi / Chandi Devi.
- Bougainvillea Park
The garden, laid out in 1976,
is dedicated to hundreds of bougainvillea varieties. The
creepers cover a wide assortment of arches, bowers, pavilions
and arcades. About 65 different varieties of bougainvillea
shrubs are planted in this garden.
- Shanti Kunj
The name means Abode of Peace.
Trees, pools and streams crossed by curved bridges and a large
number of meditation nooks define this garden.
Other Major AttractionsRock Garden, Rose Garden,
Terraced Garden, Pinjore Yadavindra Gardens, Chhatbir Zoological
Park, Topiary Park, Bougainvillea Park, Capitol Complex, Shanti
Kunj, Morni Hills, Shukhna Lake, International Dolls Museum,
Government Museum and Art Gallery, Mansa Devi Temple, Chandi Temple,
etc.
How to Reach
- By Air
The airport is located 11 kms from the
City Center and various airlines connect Chandigarh to various
main cities.
- By Rail
The railway station is about 8 kms from
the City Center in Sector 17. Various trains, like the Shatabdi
Express, connect Chandigarh directly to Delhi, Amritsar and
Kalka.
- By Road
It is 270 kms from Delhi and 264 kms from
Amritsar. National highways 21 and 22 are the chief roads
connecting Chandigarh to main cities and towns of neighboring
states.