Designed by the
French architect, Le Corbusier and his team of architects,
Chandigarh is the first 'planned' city of India Spred
over in area of 56 sq. km., the city has neatly laid
out roads and parks, buildings ranging against mountain
peaks, boulevards and streets lined by endless rows
of trees and shrubs. The city is named after the Goddess
Chandi Devi, whose white - domed temple stands on the
slope of a hill in the north east of Chandigarh, on
the edge of the Shivalik hills.
Tourism
Chandigarh,
the dream city of India's first Prime Minister, Sh.
Jawahar Lal Nehru, was planned by the famous French
architect Le Corbusier. Picturesquely located at the
foothills of Shivaliks, it is known as one of the best
experiments in urban planning and modern architecture
in the twentieth century in India. Chandigarh is regarded
as one of the most beautiful cities in India. Chandigarh
is known for its high standard of living and tops the
list of Indian States and Union Territories with a Human
Development Index of 0.674.
Weather
Chandigarh
enjoys an extreme climate with hot summers (March to
June) and chilly winters (November to February). The
monsoon season, though pleasant in the evenings, is
very humid during the daytime.
Places
of Tourist Interest
Capitol Complex
: is the seat of the government of the States
of Punjab and Haryana. It comprises three epoch-making
master-pieces: the Secretariat, the High Court and the
Legislative Assembly. Separated by large piazzas, the
subtle and most evocative grouping of these buildings
is of breath-taking beauty. The magnificent comples
which is set against the Shivalik peaks represents the
monumental character of these edifices. In the centre
of the com-plex stands the giant metallic sculpture
of The Open Hand which is the official emblem of Chandigarh.
The emblem symbolises the city’s credo of ‘open
to give’ open to receive’.
Rock Garden : Rock
Garden is world acclaimed garden full of art object,
fashioned from industrial and urban waste. Situated
between the capital complex and Sukhna lake in Sector1,
the garden spred over 20 acres is one vast fantasy land
of art and landscape. It is without doubt, a tourist
spot that is a must on the itinerary of visitor to Chandigarh.
Rose Garden : Zakir
Hussain Rose Garden Asia's largest Rose Garden and is
spread over 30 acres of land having over 1600 different
species or roses. These have been planted beautifully
carved out lawns and flowers beds. Every year, Rose
Festival is celebrated at this garden, either at the
end of February or beginning of March.
Other major attraction of Chandigarh
includes Sector 17 Plaza, Government Museum and Art
Gallery, Museum of Evolution of Life, International
Dolls Museum, Kansal & Nepli forests and more.
Festivals
& Events
Apart
from the traditional religious festivals which are celebrated
by fellow of India, people of Chandigarh enjoy many
local festivals.The Mango Festival is celebrated in
the month of June at Pinjore Gardens. The first day
of the Hindu new year is marked by Baisakhi, primarily
a harvest festival is the main festival for Sikhs as
on this day in 1699, the 10th Guru, Shri Guru Gobind
Singh Ji founded the Khalsa Panth. The Chrysanthemums
Flower Show is held every year in the Terrace Garden
of Sector 33 in the month of December. Teej Festival
is the festival of monsoon celebrated by women. The
Rock Garden of Chandigarh becomes the centre of activity
during Teej celebrated in the month of August every
year. On April Fool's Day Chandigarh becomes a laughter
zone as various famous poets from all over the country
gather on April 1st in Chandigarh and people listens
to foolish poetry and share lighter side of life with
the poets. Every Saturday evening, people of Chandigarh
enjoy the three-hour Plaza Carnival held on an open-air
stage set up in Sector 17's central plaza. The carnival
which is free and held to promote the local art and
artists draws a large crowd.
When
to Go
The
best season to visit Chandigarh is autumn, i.e., from
mid-August to November, when the weather is pleasant,
neither too hot, nor too cold.
Interesting
Fact
Chandigarh serves as
the capital of two states: Punjab and Haryana. However,
administratively, the city is not under the jurisdiction
of either state, it is administered by the Centre government
and hence classified as a union territory.
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