Chandigarh also called The City Beautiful , is a city in India that 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 Central government and
hence classified as a union territory.
The city derives its name from Chandi Mandir, a temple of goddess Chandi, located
in nearby Panchkula District of Haryana. The word Chandigarh literally means "the
fort of Chandi".
Chandigarh is known for its high standard of living with highest per capita income in the country and tops the list of Indian States and Union Territories with a Human Development Index of 0.674.
Chandigarh has two satellite cities (both of which share a border with it): Panchkula and Mohali. Sometimes, the triangle of these three cities is collectively called as the Chandigarh Tricity.
After the partition of British India into the two nations of India and Pakistan in 1947, the region of Punjab was also split between India and Pakistan. The Indian state of Punjab required a new capital city to replace Lahore, which became part of Pakistan during the partition. After several plans to make additions to existing cities were found to be infeasible for various reasons, the decision to construct a new and planned city was undertaken.
Of all the new town schemes in independent India, the Chandigarh project quickly assumed prime significance, because of the city's strategic location as well as Jawaharlal Nehru's (the first Prime Minister of independent India) personal interest in it. ommissioned by Nehru to reflect the new nation's modern, progressive outlook, Nehru famously proclaimed Chandigarh to be "unfettered by the traditions of the past, a symbol of the nation's faith in the future." Several buildings and layouts in Chandigarh were designed by the Swiss-born French architect and planner, Le Corbusier in the 1950s. Le Corbusier was in fact the second architect of the city, after the initial master plan was prepared by the American architect-planner Albert Mayer who was working with the Polish-born architect Matthew Nowicki. It was only after Nowicki's untimely death in 1950 that Le Corbusier was pulled into the project.
PLACE TO VISIT
Rock Garden - designed by Nek Chand. One day 36 years ago, Nek Chand, a humble transport official, began to clear a little patch of jungle to make himself a small garden area. He set stones around the little clearing and before long had sculpted a few figures recycled from materials he found at hand. Gradually Nek Chand's creation developed and grew; before long it covered several acres and comprised of hundreds of sculptures set in a series of interlinking courtyards. After his normal working day Chand worked at night, in total secrecy for fear of being discovered. When they did discover the garden, local government officials were thrown into turmoil. The creation was completely illegal - a development in a forbidden area. However, rather than demolishing the garden, they decided to give Nek Chand a salary so that he could concentrate full-time on his work, plus a workforce of fifty labourers. The park is open daily from April to September between 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 3 to 7 p.m. Between October and March, it is open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2 to 6 p.m.
Sukhna lake - Located in Sector 1, the Sukhna Lake is an artificial reservoir. A popular place to hang out, one can expect to find residents of the city jogging or strolling along the banks. There is a walking path, a cafeteria, shops and a mini- amusement park and paddleboats. 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.
Rose garden - The city houses the largest rose garden in Asia.It also hosts annual rose festival which is quite popular among local population.
The Capitol - Most of the capitol complex, is fenced off due to tight security, the
open hand is accessible and from there you can see the main buildings, albeit in the
distance. If you want a closer look at the Capitol, you need permission from the
Tourist Bureau, in the ‘Deluxe Administration building’ in Sector 9. Please note the
capitol and bureau are only open on mon-fri. The tourist bureau is not well signed,
you’ll need to ask, it’s in the single story building out the back. Bring your passport
and prepare for the beginning of the most amazing experience in Indian
bureaucracy. All in all I spent three hours in total of which 50 minutes was spent
looking at architecture. The tourist bureau gives you three letters giving you
permission to visit the three main buildings of the Capitol complex, The Secretariat,
the High Court and the Assembly.
The High Court - The letter is fine for looking around the High Court just show to security at the entrance, around the back, but if you want to take photos you need to surrender your camera, and head in to fill out some more forms in the protocol office, and the take the forms back to security to get your camera back. It’s worth it as the building is amazing, and extremely photogenic. You can’t take any photos indoors.
The Secretariat - To check out the Secretariat, it’s a little harder. First you need to find ‘reception’, which is just a small building out the back and show them your letter to get a visitor permit, then you need to see security who will let you in, then you need to see the main security officer inside, who will send you up to the registrar who will then send you back to the main security office. Thankfully you are escorted through most of this confusing, overly complex procedure, usually by a junior soldier with large machine gun. Whole process takes about 30 mins to an hour. Once it’s all clear you can go up to the roof, check out the geranium gardens, and take in an expansive view of all of Chandigarh. Then they’ll let you have a look out the front, which is more interesting.
Pinjore Gardens - Pinjore Gardens, also called Yadavindra Gardens are 20
km from Chandigarh, 15 km from Panchkula, on the Chandigarh Shimla road. Taxis
and buses ply regularly between Pinjore and Chandigarh. Pinjore lies on the
foothills of the lower Shivalik ranges. The fascinating Mughal Gardens one of the
most popular picnic spots. A mini zoo, plants nursery, a Japanese garden, historic
palaces and picnic lawns await tourists.
HOW TO REACH
By plane - Indian Airlines, Jet Airways recently has started a direct flight from Mumbai to Chandigarh other than their flight from Delhi. Air Deccan have daily flights to Delhi. Indian Airlines flies to Mumbai with a stopover at Delhi. Tickets cost around Rs 2,000 for Indian and Jet while Deccan is a budget carrier and is priced lower. Recently MDLR Airlines has started its regular operations to Delhi which shall soon expand to Ranchi and Kolkata via Delhi.
By train - There is frequent service to and from New Delhi. The popular trains connecting New Delhi include Shatabdi Express (twice daily) and the economical Jan Shatabdi Express (except sunday).Shatabdi Express is quite popular and it is better to have an advanced reservation atleast 2-3 days prior to the journey.
By car - Chandigarh has an equally good connectivity via road.It is a 4-5 hour drive from Delhi,the road comprising mainly of NH 1 is quite good. Chandigarh serves as a gateway to the state of Himachal Pradesh.
Important Distances :
New Delhi - 260 kms Shimla - 110 kms. Manali- 320kms. Dehradun - 175 kms.
Amritsar - 250 kms.
By bus - Chandigarh is served by two bus terminals. The Inter State Bus Terminus in Sector 17,provides connectivity to all major destinations in the neighboring states Himachal Pradesh,Punjab,Haryana,Uttaranchal,Jammu and Delhi.
Delhi is extensively connected with bus service every 15 minutes offered by Chandigarh Transport Undertaking,Haryana Roaways,Punjab Roadways and Himachal Roadways.Volvo A/C bus are also run on Chandigarh-Delhi section and offer connection to the Airport and towns like Gurgaon.The fares of Volvo buses are usually comparable with the Shatabdi Express.
The Inter State Bus Terminus at Sector 43 offers connectivity to all major towns of Punjab.
