Chandigarh

Introduction to Chandigarh
Chandigarh is the twin capital of the northern states of Punjab and Haryana. However, it belongs to neither state. It is a union territory and is directly under the administration of the Indian government. It is one of the youngest cities in India and the main languages spoken are Hindi and Punjabi. The town derives its name from Goddess Chandi Devi whose temple stands 15-km form Chandigarh.

One of the few modern planned cities in India, Chandigarh is divided into 47 self-contained sectors. Architects Albert Mayer and Mathew Novicki drew the initial plans in New York. When the latter died in an air crash in 1950, the work was entrusted to Le Corbusier, a well-known architect and planner and Chandigarh is now known as the city designed by him. One can see architectural genius in the neat geometrical design of residential quarters, reinforced concrete structures and self-contained area layouts. Each sector of the city is designed with its own shops, academic, and health care buildings, places of worship, open spaces, greenery and the residential areas. Chandigarh also serves as a convenient base for those seeking to travel to the Northern Indian Hill stations of Shimla, Kullu-Manali, Dharamsala etc and serves as a gateway to the state of Punjab.

Lets Explore Chandigarh :

Nek Chand’s Rock Garden - This Rock Garden is probably Chandigarh’s premier attraction, a popular spot for tourists. It was created by Nek Chand Saini, a resident of the city, in 1958. He used discarded objects of everyday use like bottles, tin cans, broken plugs, plates, saucers and rocks from the nearby Shivalik mountains to create a 40-acre fantasy labyrinth garden with arched walkways, streams, bridges, grottos, battlements, turrets and sculptures of people and animals. Highlights include armies of stone ducks, papier-mache soldiers, pig iron dancers and goblins.

Sukhna lake - Also in Sector 1, the Sukhna Lake is an artificial reservoir. The Sukhna Lake was created in 1958 by damming the Sukhna Choe, a seasonal stream that flows down from the Shivaliks. Storks and cranes make migratory stops at the lake. The lake, incidentally, has Asia’s longest water channel for rowing and yachting.

Capital Complex - This area, with its monumental public buildings is the site of architect Le Corbusier’s most ambitious experiments. The concrete campus and its accompanying lawns are meant to express the strength and unity of independent India. They are also Le Corbusier’s way of staging the functions of government in symbolic and geometric relation to one another and to the rest of the city. For tourists, the High Court and the Open Hand Monument are more accessible than the Legislative Assembly and the Secretariat.

International Dolls Museum - Situated in Bal Bhawan, Sector 23, the international dolls museum contains more than 300 dolls from nearly every country in the world. Ten ceramic murals and a large model train complete the display.

Rock Garden - No description of Chandigarh city can be complete without a mention of its most celebrated creations-the Rock Garden. Spread over 12 acres of wooded land near the Capitol Complex the Rock Garden of Chandigarh is the creation of a humble road inspector called Nek Chand. The urban waste material turned into creative patterns and textures, mute rocks turned into art objects attract tourists to Chandigarh. A visit to the Rock Garden is a must for all the tourists traveling to Chandigarh.

Museums :
Government Museum and Art Gallery - The Government Museum and Art Gallery in Sector 10 of Chandigarh has a fine collection of stone sculptures of the Gandhara period. The museum is the place to see the prehistoric fossils and artifacts along with modern art and miniature paintings. The Government Museum and Art Gallery of Chandigarh is open from 10.00 a.m. to 4.30p.m. and is closed on Mondays.

Museum of Evolution of Life - The Museum of Evolution of Life in Sector 10 of Chandigarh takes tourists on a trip 5,000 years back from the Indus Valley Civilization to the present day. Chandigarh city's Museum of Evolution of Life is open from 10.00 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. and is closed on Mondays.

Where is Chandigarh?
» By Air - Chandigarh is connected to Delhi and Mumbai by daily flights.

» By Rail - The railway station is 7 km away from the city center. Superfast trains connect Chandigarh with Delhi. Chandigarh is also a stop on the Delhi/Kalka trains.

» By Road - Chandigarh is well connected by road to most parts of North India. It is 260 kms from Delhi.

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