Designed by the French architect, Le Corbusier and his team of architects, Chandigarh is the first 'planned' city of India Spred over in area of 56 sq. km., the city has neatly laid out roads and parks, buildings ranging against mountain peaks, boulevards and streets lined by endless rows of trees and shrubs. The city is named after the Goddess Chandi Devi, whose white - domed temple stands on the slope of a hill in the north east of Chandigarh, on the edge of the Shivalik hills.

Tourism

Chandigarh, the dream city of India's first Prime Minister, Sh. Jawahar Lal Nehru, was planned by the famous French architect Le Corbusier. Picturesquely located at the foothills of Shivaliks, it is known as one of the best experiments in urban planning and modern architecture in the twentieth century in India. Chandigarh is regarded as one of the most beautiful cities in India. Chandigarh is known for its high standard of living and tops the list of Indian States and Union Territories with a Human Development Index of 0.674.

Weather

Chandigarh enjoys an extreme climate with hot summers (March to June) and chilly winters (November to February). The monsoon season, though pleasant in the evenings, is very humid during the daytime.

Places of Tourist Interest

Sukhna Lake: Sukhna Lake is an artificial lake at the foothills of the Shivalik hills. This 3 kmē rainfed lake was created in 1958 by damming the Sukhna Choe, a seasonal stream coming down from the Shivalik Hills. Originally the seasonal flow entered the lake directly causing heavy siltation. To check the inflow of silt, 25.42 kmē of land was acquired in the catchment area and put under vegetation. In 1974, the Choe was diverted and made to bypass the lake completely, the lake being fed by three siltation pots, minimising the entry of silt into the lake itself.

Rock Garden: Rock Garden is world acclaimed garden full of art object, fashioned from industrial and urban waste. Situated between the capital complex and Sukhna lake in Sector1, the garden spred over 20 acres is one vast fantasy land of art and landscape. It is without doubt, a tourist spot that is a must on the itinerary of visitor to Chandigarh.

Rose Garden: Zakir Hussain Rose Garden Asia's largest Rose Garden and is spread over 30 acres of land having over 1600 different species or roses. These have been planted beautifully carved out lawns and flowers beds. Every year, Rose Festival is celebrated at this garden, either at the end of February or beginning of March.

Other major attraction of Chandigarh includes Sector 17 Plaza, Government Museum and Art Gallery, Museum of Evolution of Life, International Dolls Museum, Kansal & Nepli forests, Capital Complex and more.

Festivals & Events

Apart from the traditional religious festivals which are celebrated by fellow of India, people of Chandigarh enjoy many local festivals.The Mango Festival is celebrated in the month of June at Pinjore Gardens. The first day of the Hindu new year is marked by Baisakhi, primarily a harvest festival is the main festival for Sikhs as on this day in 1699, the 10th Guru, Shri Guru Gobind Singh Ji founded the Khalsa Panth. The Chrysanthemums Flower Show is held every year in the Terrace Garden of Sector 33 in the month of December. Teej Festival is the festival of monsoon celebrated by women. The Rock Garden of Chandigarh becomes the centre of activity during Teej celebrated in the month of August every year. On April Fool's Day Chandigarh becomes a laughter zone as various famous poets from all over the country gather on April 1st in Chandigarh and people listens to foolish poetry and share lighter side of life with the poets. Every Saturday evening, people of Chandigarh enjoy the three-hour Plaza Carnival held on an open-air stage set up in Sector 17's central plaza. The carnival which is free and held to promote the local art and artists draws a large crowd.

When to Go

The best season to visit Chandigarh is autumn, i.e., from mid-August to November, when the weather is pleasant, neither too hot, nor too cold.

Interesting Fact

Chandigarh 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 Centre government and hence classified as a union territory.