Chandigarh is the joint capital of Punjab and Haryana, and it is a union territory under the federal government's control. After independence, it was also India's first planned city. Chandigarh is a prominent tourist destination as well as a major business centre. It is believed to be India's first planned city, as well as one of the world's best-planned cities.
Chandigarh portrays itself to foreign visitors in the same manner that the rest of India aspires to be perceived: rich, calm, and cosmopolitan. Le Corbusier, a well-known French architect, built the city, which features a beautiful blend of urban and natural environments. Take note of how secure, tidy, and prosperous the city's large streets are as you walk through them.
Its name comes from an ancient temple dedicated to the Hindu Goddess Chandi that once stood on the site. It's in northwest India, near the Shivalik foothills. When meandering through the gardens in Chandigarh, called "City Beautiful," one can practically smell the mountain air.
One of Chandigarh's main attractions is the Nek Chand Rock Garden, a 25-acre sculpture garden where the majority of the sculptures are composed of stones, garbage, and other discarded junk. The sculptures are a lovely monument to Nek Chand's effort and talent. The Zakir Hussain Rose Garden is one of the world's largest, featuring over 1500 different species of roses, medicinal plants, and gorgeous fountains.
Chandigarh is best visited shortly before and after the start of the winter season. From late September to early December, the weather is pleasant, making it a delight to relax in the sun at one of the scenic spots.
It is one of the most magnificent examples of human inventiveness in natural resource utilisation. Simple rocks have been turned into incredible pieces of art. It's a great spot for a day out with friends or family. The maze is a lot of fun, and there's plenty of room to rest. One of Chandigarh's most attractive tourist attractions is this place.
It is a big open-air exhibition hall where Nek Chand, a former Chandigarh Road Inspector, constructed sculptures out of debris from the city and industry. The display area of the Rock Garden is separated into three levels, each with its unique set of installations and decorations. The vivid mix of sculptures and art fills this enormous 40-acre landscape. With terracotta pots, light fixtures, and even broken toilet pots, the craftsman, Mr. Nek Chand has reinvented art and craft!
The magnificent Sukhna Lake in Chandigarh was created in 1958 when the Sukhna Choe was dammed. The lake is 3 kilometres long, with glittering water, watercraft, and a variety of birds, including the Siberian duck and crane.
The Rose Garden, also known as the Zakir Hussain Rose Garden after India's former president, is a recognised destination for visitors and nature enthusiasts. It is stretched out over 30 acres and is ornamented with an exquisite variety of flowers, making it a renowned destination for visitors and nature lovers. The Rose Garden features 825 different flower species as well as 32,500 different trees and medicinal bushes in bloom.
The Chandigarh Capitol Complex is a stunning example of the city's rich architectural heritage. The complex, designed by Le Corbusier, an outstanding and well-known architect, features a variety of interestingly made and well-fitting structures. The Legislative Assembly, the Secretariat, the High Court, and the Capitol are all housed in the Capitol Complex, which is a twofold cover that resembles an upturned umbrella and houses the Legislative Assembly, the Secretariat, the High Court, and the Capitol. UNESCO has designated its outstanding architectural and historical treasures as a World Heritage Site. Both the Punjab and Haryana governments use it as their administrative hub.
The Pinjore Gardens in India are an excellent example of terrace gardens. During Baisakhi, which takes place between April and June, the Garden holds the annual Mango Festival. It's a lovely Mughal Garden in Pinjore, India, that dates from the 17th century. The Pinjore Garden, also known as Yadvinder Garden, is well-renowned for its well-kept greenery and relaxing fountains all over the world.
One of Chandigarh's most stunning and underrated tourist attractions is the Le Corbusier Center. Since Le Corbusier planned the entire region, it is one of the most fascinating and enlightening tours. The Le Corbusier Center is incredibly instructive and gives visitors an understanding of how the city was built. Take a tour of Chandigarh to learn about the city's evolution.
It is both educational and fun, and children can be seen dancing and singing in the area, delighted to see their favourite Disney character doll. For anybody interested in doll culture from around the country and beyond, the International Dolls Museum in Chandigarh is a must-see. Ali Baba, Cinderella, and Sleeping Beauty, among other stories and legends, have all been adapted.
Established in 1968, the museum has a large collection of traditional items, miniature paintings, and stone sculptures. Some of the exhibits were originally held in Lahore's Central Museum and were relocated here after the partition and construction of this museum.
Haryana and Punjab, as well as Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and Bihar, have all had an impact on Chandigarh's thriving community. Chandigarh residents are those who enjoy life to the fullest and are stress-free. People in this section of India are friendly and inviting, and caste and religion are diverse.
Chandigarh is a city where people of all faiths live in harmony. Sikhism and Hinduism are the two most popular religions in the city. Sikhism was created by Guru Nanak, and it emphasises belief in "Waheguru," or the Universal God. The most common Hindu castes in the region are Khatri (Kshatriya in Hindi), Brahman, Baniya, and Rajput. Other religions include Islam, Christianity, and Jainism followed by people here.
Residents of Chandigarh speak Hindi and Punjabi, with Haryanavi and English also being spoken. The official language of Chandigarh is English.
In Chandigarh's urban regions, women wear both Indian and western clothing. The most popular outfits include salwar-kameez, saris, kurtis, jeans, shirts, T-shirts, and formal/casual pants. Salwar Kameez, on the other hand, is Chandigarh's most popular women's outfit.
The magnificent and elegant Sherwani is a traditional men's garment that has recently been imbued with Western-eastern fusion and is in keeping with the current air and classic choices. Men in Chandigarh otherwise dress in business casual, which comprises a long-sleeved shirt with a tie, a hat, and formal trousers for office professionals. T-shirts are also widely used.
The dance tradition of the Union Territory is a blend of folk and folklore from the neighbouring states of Punjab and Haryana. Festivals necessitate celebrations, and people participate with zeal and excitement. Some of the popular dance forms include Bhangra, Giddha, Luddi, Julli, Dhamal, Jaago, Sammi, Teeyan, Jhumar, Dankara, Kikili, and Gatka.
Residents of Chandigarh have a long tradition of preserving the city's creative legacy. Chandigarh traditional art includes beautiful phulkaris with vivid embroidery and knitting. Phulkaris use close needlework to cover the entire cloth. Jewelry creation is another traditional kind of art practised here. Other common arts and crafts include hand fans, needlework, Durries Weaving, Plastering the Walls, and Woodcarving.
Fairs and Festivals of Chandigarh:
Chandigarh, like every other city in India, hosts a plethora of festivals of all kinds. The city's colourful and energetic population are still in a celebratory mood. They participate in every holiday with zeal and enthusiasm. Festivals are one of the most effective ways for people to meet and share their experiences.
A visit to Chandigarh isn't complete without trying some of the city's exquisite cuisine. Food is a love in the city, and residents like unusual dishes with a lot of spices. In Punjabi cuisine, butter, desi ghee, and makkhan (cheese) are widely used, and a dish is considered incomplete without them.
The following are some foods worth trying:
Chandigarh has a well-developed retail culture as a result of the population's high income and the Punjabi culture's love of fashion and other things. This isn't to argue that Chandigarh's shopping is just for the wealthy; there are many reasonably priced stores as well as street shopping.
By Air – Chandigarh Airport, located about 12 kilometres from the city centre, connects the city to the rest of India with a broad network of domestic flights. Bangalore, Mumbai, Chennai, Delhi, Srinagar, and Ahmedabad all have daily flights to Chandigarh.
By Railway – Chandigarh has its own train station, the Chandigarh Railway Station, which serves the city and connects it to a number of Indian cities. Many daily trains from New Delhi stop at this railway station, which is around 8 kilometres from the city centre. From New Delhi to Chandigarh, the Jan Shatabdi and Shatabdi trains travel frequently. Buses, automobiles, and taxis are freely available outside the railway station.
By Road – Chandigarh is well-connected to the rest of the country because to its extensive road network. Buses from Mussoorie, Shimla, McLeod Ganj, Dharamshala, Delhi, Kullu, and other towns run frequently. The National Highway 1 connects Chandigarh and Delhi and takes about 4 to 5 hours.
