Chandigarh

Chandigarh is the capital of Haryana and Punjab. However,the city does not belong to either state. Chandigarh was constituted as a union territory on 1st November,1966 and is administered by the Government of India. It is one of the most beautiful cities of India.

The city derives its name from Goddess of power Shri Chandika and there is also a temple of the Goddess called "Chandi Mandir" in the city. The city is divided into 47 numbered sectors. It has well-laid roads lined with rows of trees and beautifully planned buildings. Against the backdrop of the Siwalik smountains,the city looks charming.

Chandigarh has the distinction of having a unique world-acclaimed Rock Garden. It consists of art objects,fashioned from industrial and urban waste. Situated between the Capitol Complex and Sukhna Lake in Sector 1 of the city it nestles amidst 20 acres of woods in the form of an open air exhibition hall,theatre trove and a miniature maze all rolled into one vast fantasy land of art and landscape.

The creator of the Rock Garden,Nek Chand,was a Road Inspector in the Engineering Department of Chandigarh Capital Project. He roamed the Shivalik Foothills and picked up stones resembling bird,animal,human and abstract forms. The first seven years (1958-65) were spent collecting natural material,urban and industrial waste. His work was later recognized and appreciated and The Rock Garden was thus inaugurated in 1976.

Sukhna Lake is an artificial lake,spread over an area of 3 sq. kms. People generally come here for a morning or evening walk. It consists of an eating place,children's park. It also has facility for boating and rafting for the adventure seekers. From December through February,one can see many species of aquatic birds from Central Asia and Siberia.

Open Hand monument is made of a metal sheet,14 metres high and weighing 50 tonnes and rotate freely in the wind from a high concrete pedestal. It is located in the Capital Complex in sector 1. Some times it resembles a bird in flight The design of this giant hand emblem was conceived by Le Corbusier. The symbol stands for peace and unity - 'Open to give - Open to receive'. It is official emblem of the city.

The Legislative Assembly square in plan with a monumental portico standing free from the main building has a removable dome and a mural by Le Corbusier. It faces the high court which delineates the south eastern end of the Capitol Piazza.

Other famous monuments include Secretariat and High Court designed by Le Corbousier. They are excellent proof of the architectural talent. They are next to each other and are located in sector 1. The structure of High Court building has a double roof,projecting over the office block,like a inverted umbrella shading its lower part,symbolizing the law as an umbrella of shelter for the ordinary citizen. Chandigarh is also famous for Post Graduate Institute (P.G.I.),which is known for its researches in medical sciences.

Gardens and Valleys :

The Leisure Valley

Located in Sector 10 with a area of almost 20 acres is a beautiful garden. Though the word Leisure valley comprises of all the gardens in the city but this garden is known by this name. The annual Bougainvillea Show is held in this garden.

The rose garden in sector 16 is claimed to be the Asia's largest Rose garden. This garden was created in 1967,under the expert guidance of Dr M.S. Randhawa,Chandigarh's first Chief Commissioner,and is named after India's President,Zakir Hussain. It is spread over an area of 30 acres and have 1600 different species of roses. Every year a 'Rose Festival' is celebrated at this garden,either at the end of February or beginning of March. It is one of the main cultural events of the city and draws thousands of visitors. There are lots of competitions,cultural celebrations and many other events.

Shanti Kunj,also known as Abode of Peace is situated in sector 16 and has trees,streams and meditation nooks, spread over 18 acres of land. Bougainvillea Garden ia adorned with hundreds of bougainvillea varieties spread over 20 acres in sector 10. The creepers cover a wide assortment of arches,pavilions and arcades. The annual Bougainvillea Show is held here. Another garden called Terraced Garden is spread over 8 acres in sector 33,is the venue for the annual Chrysanthemum Show. There is also an illuminated musical fountain here.

Cactus Garden is a garden located just a few miles away from Chandigarh in the city Panchkula. The unique garden has hundreds of different varities of cactus. Some varities are very unique & rare. Yadavindra Gardens,Pinjore is almost 24 km from Chandigarh. These gardens are an excellent example of Mughal style gardens. It also includes motel,restaurant,cafe,and bar,conference halls,open-air theatre and a mini zoo. Topiary Park contains structures of many animals shaped out of creepers and bushes form the Topiary Park. A large variety of ornamental plants add to the park's curious charm.

Timber Trail is is a very beautiful resort and is connected by a cable car to Timber Trail Heights. It is situated near Parwanoo on the Kalka-Shimla Highway,about 35 km from Chandigarh. Rajendra Park is a natural park where mangoes,peaches,plums etc have been planted. Horse shows are held here from time to time. There are also Mango Gardens in the city one near the railway station and the other is situated on Purva Marg.

Museum and Art Gallery situated in Sector 10,contains a modest collection of Indian stone sculptures dating back to the Gandhara period,together with some miniatures paintings and modern art. The adjacent museum has fossils and implements of prehistoric humans found in India.

Museum of Evolution of Life (Science Museum) depicts the origin of the earth and the evolution of life. The exhibits cover 5,000 years of Indian History from the Indus Valley Civilization to the present day. There are other galleries of astronomy,geology and the world of ancient man.

Child Art Gallery exhibits works by young artists of Chandigarh. The museum frequently organises art workshops for students and children.

National Gallery of Portraits is situated on Sector 17B and contains portraits of Indian freedom fighters,rare documents,sculptures,ceramic murals and recordings of the voices of 125 prominent figures of India's Independence movement. The library here has books on India's freedom struggle.

International Dolls Museum is situated in Bal Bhawan in Sector 23 and contains more than 300 dolls from nearly every country in the world.

Mansa Devi Temple is located about 12 km from Chandigarh and attracts many visitors and pilgrims. The Punjab University ,located in sector 14 covers a very large area with Parks,pools,trees making the university very beautiful.