Chandigarh – a city of appealing contrast, located at the foothills of shivalik. It is a prominent town for its architecture & landscape. The word “Chandigarh” comes from the name of temple “Chandi” which is positioned near the site selected for the city. The deity Chandi, the goddess of supreme power & a fort or ‘garh’ lying inaccessible the temple give its city name ‘City Beautiful’. It is known as the heart of Punjab & paradise of used things. The art and culture of this city is incredible in the nation. Chandigarh serves as a  capital of two states, Punjab & Haryana. It was constituted a Union Territory of India on November 1^st, 1966. Chandigarh is the first organized city in India which designed by prominent architect & urban theorist with his team Pierre Jeanneret, Matthew Nowicki, and Albert Mayer. It was the dream city of Pt Jawaharlal Nehru who had proclaimed Chandigarh to be "unfettered by the traditions of the past, a symbol of the nation's faith in the future." The Site of Chandigarh selected by the team of engineer & bureaucrats by Mr P.L. Verma. The city’s pollution-free air, the dilated tree lined boulevards & avenues. Hence, all the lakes contribute to make Chandigarh a Charming place for inhabitants & tourists with decent environment.

Nowadays, Chandigarh has become one of the IT hubs in the India. Chandigarh becomes a cosmopolitan & lively city with the fraction population.  It is strategically divided into 57 sectors & most interestingly thing is that Chandigarh do not have sector no. - 13.Capitol Complex is the one of the main complex which includes the State Secretariat, Assembly and High Court building. 

CHANDIGARH SIGHTSEEING

ROCK GARDEN: No depiction of Chandigarh city can be complete without speak about the most innovated creations – The Rock Garden. It is a unique sculpture garden which was created globally ovation artist “Nek Chand”, who was road Inspector in the Engineering department of Chandigarh Capital Project . This place covered more than 12 acres.It is positioned in sector 1 & among the Capitol Complex & Sukhna Lake. This unique garden consist of various art sculptures which made by using different types of discarded materials like broken bangles, blubs & tubes, broken tiles & chinaware’s , auto parts, marbles, forks, frames, handle bars, porcelain, metal wires, & mudguards etc turned into creative model  & texture. These mute rocks turned into an art objects which attracts magnetically tourists to Chandigarh.

SUKHNA LAKE: Sukhna lake is one of the beautiful lake which located in the foothills of Shivalik range. The strange thing about this lake is that it is a totally artificial & manmade lake.It is approximately 3 km long & developed in 1958. Initially it was created as artificial dam or  Sukhna choe, which was a seasonal stream flowing down from the shivalik hills.It is a most favourite recreation spot for picnic & nature-loving people. In addition to this, Sukhna lake also offer the number of water sport activities like that boating, Water skiing, yachting etc. This is also delectable place for birds lover or watcers. Throughout from the December to February apart from domestic  spices of the birds, You can aso see the number of spices of aquatic birds from Central Asia & Siberia. The atmosphere of lake is quite pleasant & calm. Mostly people visit here at the morning & evening time to refresh from the hectic schedule & to get the fresh blowing breeze with the humming of the birds around us.

ZAKIR ROSE GARDEN: This  garden was established in 1967 under the expert prescription of Dr. M.S. Randawa, who was the Chandigarh first Chief Commissioner & is named after India’s President, Zakir Hussain. This is the one of the largest Rose Graden in Asia, which scatter over an area of 27 acers & 17,000 plants characterize the 1600 varieties of roses & fountain placed at different locations of this site to be seen here. The annual rose festival, which listed in the national calendar of the festivals. This festival is the one of main cultural events of the city & attracts number of visitor globally. It is open all days.

CAPITOL COMPLEX: Chandigarh capitol complex houses the seat of Government. Capitol complex consider as a monumental located at Sector 1. At starting, it served as the only seat of Government of Punjab. However, Nowadays it is the headquarters of both the Government of Punjab & Haryana. It’s standing upstage at the foothills of the city , like the  Acropolis, Grecian, the geometrical concrete building which rise from the heap as gaint sculptures. There are three major places to be visited in Capitol Complex that are building of Secretariat, the Assembly & the High Court. All three are adjoin to each other.

THE OPEN HAND: This is the most eminent & significant monuments planned by the originator of Chandigarh Le Corbusier. This monument rising 85 feets from the sunken trench, a giant hand made from metal sheets is designed to revolve like a weather cock, to indicate symbolically the direction of wind. Thus, it also conveys the message of peace & brotherhood “Open to receive”.

Chandigarh Museum and Art Gallery: This is located in sector 11. It was artifacts, paintings and coins are kept here which date back as long as Harappan civilization. Fossils of dinosaurs are also kept here.

Pinjore Gardens: This Mughal style garden stretches over an area of 100 acres. Pinjore Garden is a famous picnic spot. It also includes other things such as a mini zoo, plant nursery and a Japanese garden. 

The Chandigarh Museum: The Chandigarh Museums sheds light on how the city came into existence. It shows the principles, architects and designs etc.

The Secretariat: Visiting the secretariat is a tedious process. One needs to have a visitor permit letter. Reception is the next place where you need to submit your form. This office is situated outside the building. One will be escorted by a security guard to the main security officer inside. You will then be taken to the registrar. It is actual time consuming and can take from 30 minutes to 1 hour.

Chattbir Zoo: It is a famous zoological park. Various species of mammals, birds and reptiles are found here. Lion safari is the most interesting feature of the zoo.

Morni Hills: Morni hills are a perfect hill resort. The place derives its name from Queen Morni who used to rule this place. Scenic beauty and bird watching are the prime features.

Bhakra Nangal Dam: This world’s highest straight gravity dam is situated 116 kilometers away from Chandigarh. It is built across River Satluj. Chandigarh, Delhi and other cities use power generated from this project. It took 16 years to complete this project.

Sector 17: Sector 17 is the best place for youngsters to hang out with their friends. Fountains, sculptures and tree groves are also found here.

BY AIR: Chandigarh has an airport which 11 kms far from the downtown. Cabs & City buses are available for airport transfer. We can easily get the flights of various airlines such as Jet Airways, Indian Airlines, Air Deccan connects Chandigarh with IGI Airport New Delhi.

BY TRAIN: The Railways Station is 8 kms far from the city centre. It is well linked with New Delhi by rail. Shatabdi, Jan Shatabdi  & Himalayan Queen connects New Delhi & Chandigarh. Chandigarh also connected with major cities of India like that Mumbai, Lucknow, Kerala & Chennai.

BY ROAD: Chandigarh is well connected by roads through cabs & buses which provide an important & easiest transport link to reach here via the national Highways 21  & 22. There are services from various states such as Punjab, Himachal, Uttrakhand & Haryana. The Famous tourist destination likes Kasauli, Shimla, Chail far from Chandigarh at few few hours’ drive.