Chandigarh
If you want to pack your travel bags and set off to Chandigarh, you can witness one of the most beautiful cities in India. Serving as a capital to both Punjab and Haryana Chandigarh exhibits an ultra modern setting which merges well with its enriched history. When you are thinking about planning a trip to Chandigarh you may just think from where exactly the name of the place originated? If you visit the city you will find that there is a temple of Chandi which has a historic importance and the name came about from there. When you visit Chandigarh you will find that it is one of the most environmentally planned cities of India and it has a very unique architectural symbolism. You can find a variety of constructed buildings which are balanced well by planting a huge number of trees. It is also referred to as a “Beautiful City†and you can live amidst the serene beauty of nature and experience a modern lifestyle which races along like a flash. Chandigarh is also a union territory and has its own administration which looks after the overall maintenance of the city.
Location
When you undertake a plan to visit the city of Chandigarh, you should have a precise idea about its location. You can also take a look at the map of the city which is available online. If you notice the map of Chandigarh you will find that it is situated very close to the Shivalik hills. The total square meter area of the city extends to a distance of 114 square kilometers and it is also located at 365 meters altitude.
Places to see
Capitol Complex: The famous architect Le Corbusier played an imperative role in planning the architecture of the city and the beautiful Capitol Complex is one of his brilliant creations. It is a marvelous work of architecture and it is classified into three parts which are known as the High Court, Secretariat and the Legislative Assembly. If you take a look at the architecture more precisely you will see the Open Hand which lies in the centre. It is the official symbolism of the city and portrays its gracious welcome to all the citizens and visitors.
Rock Garden: The city of Chandigarh is classified into several sectors and if you visit the Sector I area you can visit the Rock garden. If you are visiting the city of Chandigarh you should definitely not miss out on this place. As you visit the place you will that several objects of art collected from industrial waste features in its exclusive collection. There is also a theatre built in the open where various kinds of stage shows are held from time to time.
Rose Garden: If you love flowers, a visit to the Rose Garden in Chandigarh should certainly feature in your itinerary. The rose flower is a symbolism of love and you are bound to like this place after visiting it. It extends to total area of 30 acres and you can discover more than 1600 varieties of attractive roses in this splendid garden. But you can keep in mind that if you visit the place in the month of February and March you can be a part of the Rose Festival celebrated in this famous Rock Garden.
Nepli & Kansal Forests: If you love nature and want to experience all the serene beauty around you, the Nepli & Kansal forest region in Chandigarh is an ideal place for you. You can find this forest area in the vicinity of the Sukhna lake region and embark on a pleasurable trekking trip. There is also a huge number of exotic wildlife in the place and you can photograph hyenas, leopards, jackals, hares, neelgais etc. If you want to stay in these paces forest lodges are also available.
Chandigarh War Memorial: The city of Chandigarh also exhibits a fascinating war memorial which has been built in the remembrance of the patriots of the country. You can find names of more than 8000 soldiers registered in this historic memorial and it stands in the popular Bougainvillea garden locality of the city. The Chandigarh administration has taken the unique initiative to build this historic monument.
Le Corbusier Center: The city of Chandigarh has been designed by famous architect of Swiss French origin Le Corbusier and you should not miss out on this centre during your visit to the place. The centre has all the collections of this genius architect who played a leading role in building this beautiful city. In order to witness the splendid collections, you need to pay a visit to the Sector 19 area of the city which is quite popular among the tourists. You can also buy some of the souvenirs as per your budget.
How to reach
As the capital city of the state of Punjab Chandigarh is very well connected with the rest of India and the world. There are plenty of ways by which you can reach Chandigarh and you can reach here by air, rail or road.
By Air: The Chandigarh international airport is well connected to the rest of the world and operates international flights on a regular basis. You can get all the information about the various flights from the information centre and reach the city safely. It is situated at a distance of 11 kilometers from the main city but various modes of transportation are available for your convenience.
By Rail: If you want to reach the city of Chandigarh by train you need to arrive at the railway station which is also very well connected. It efficiently connects the national capital of New Delhi and most of the important trains arrive here on a regular basis.
By Road: If you want to come to the city of Chandigarh by road all the facilities are in place for your utmost convenience. You can come here by the national highway routes of 21, 22 etc. You can also come to Chandigarh and visit the nearby hill stations of Kulu and Manali which are connected by road.
What to do
The city of Chandigarh is never short of activities. You can indulge in unlimited fun in the city and the adjoining outskirt areas. If you are a shopping or movie buff the city has a wide range of activities in store for you. The Sector 17 area is one of the popular areas of the city meant for shopping. There are a variety of items which are available for shopping in the various departmental stores of the area. You can also engage in window shopping if you cannot afford to buy the branded items. There are also a number of cinemas in the area like Piccadilly and Neelam. You can catch some of your favorite movies which play from morning to midnight hours. If you love to eat out with your family and friends there are a number of restaurants and eateries in the city which provides you with national and international cuisines. They are spread over the various sectors and you can gorge on your favorite delicacies. But to be more precise the greater number of restaurants is found in the Sector 17 and 35 areas.
Best time to visit
If you are planning a trip to Chandigarh you should also know the best time to visit the city. The months ranging between August to November are an ideal time as the weather remains more or less pleasant. During the summer season the weather becomes extremely hot and it is better to avoid this time. You can also visit the city during winter but it is better to carry warm clothes as the weather stays quite chilly.
History
The history of Chandigarh is quite enriching. After the independence of India in the year 1947, the State of Punjab was divided. Soon the task for searching a capital for the state of Punjab had to be completed. A new city had to be built as capital which would have met the requirements of the numerous citizens. The site selection had to be made fast and a collection of 24 villages one of which was named as Chandigarh due to the existence of a small temple was chosen as the site. Finally 114 square kilometers of area was chosen and a new capital city for the Indian state of Punjab was born with the approval from the government of India. The name also has a unique significance as it depicts power or Shakti and acts as a symbolism for all the Punjabis of the nation.
Climate
The city of Chandigarh has a subtropical type of climate with hot summers and chilly winters. In the months of summer there is a fair amount of heat and the temperature prevails in the high 40 degree Celsius. During the monsoon season there is moderate to high rainfall. During the winter months, the climate remains quite chilly and snowfall is also experienced in the months of January or February.
