Chandigarh, also called ‘The City Beautiful’, is a city in Northern 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 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.
Source: wikipedia / wikitravel
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, it was not found to be feasible for various reasons. The decision to construct a new and planned city was then 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. 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
Source: wikipedia / wikitravel
Chandigarh has a sub-tropical continental monsoon climate. The temperature in summer rises to a maximum of 46.5°C. Temperatures generally remain between 35°C to 42°C.
In autumn, temperature usually remains between 16° to 27° in autumn.
Winter is quite cool and it can sometimes get quite chilly in Chandigarh. Average temperatures in winter (November to February) remain at (max) 7°C to 20 °C and (min) 0°C to 5°C. The climate remains quite pleasant during the spring season with temperatures varying from a maximum of 16°C to 25°C
Source: wikipedia / wikitravel
Visitors do not face any difficulty getting currency exchanged as the banks at Chandigarh offer good service.
By Rail: 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 at least 2-3 days prior to the journey. Popular long distance trains include Paschim Express (daily) to Mumbai, Kalka Mail(daily) to Howrah, Dehradun-Chandigarh Madras Express (Monday) to Chennai, Kerala Sampark Kranti (Wednesday) to Kochuveli (Kerala), Chandigarh- Lucknow Express (daily) to Lucknow.
By Air: Indian Airlines and Jet Airways have recently started a direct flight from Mumbai to Chandigarh other than their flight from Delhi. Air Deccan has daily flights to Delhi. Indian Airlines flies to Mumbai with a stopover at Delhi. Recently MDLR Airlines has started its regular operations to Delhi which shall soon expand to Ranchi and Kolkata via Delhi.
By Road: 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. New Delhi - 260 kms Shimla - 110 kms, Manali- 320kms, Dehradun - 175 kms and Amritsar - 250 kms.
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 Roadways, Punjab Roadways and Himachal Roadways. Volvo A/C buses also run on Chandigarh-Delhi section and offer connection to the Airport and towns like Gurgaon.
The Inter State Bus Terminus at Sector 43 offers connectivity to all major towns of Punjab.
Source: wikipedia / wikitravel
Rock Garden was designed by Nek Chand, a humble transport official. As he cleared a 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. The park is open daily from April to September between 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 3 to 7 p.m. From October to 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. 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 the Annual Rose Festival which is quite popular among the local population.
The Capitol: Most of the capitol complex is fenced off due to tight security, the open hand is accessible and from there one can see the main buildings, albeit in the distance. If one wants a closer look at the Capitol, permission is required from the Tourist Bureau, in the ‘Deluxe Administration building’ in Sector 9. Please note the capitol and bureau are only open from Monday to Friday.
Source: wikipedia / wikitravel
Budget
YMCA is in Sector 9
Yatri Nivas is run by the CITCO
Kisan Bhawan, Sector 35.
Mid-range
Park View in Sector 24 is run by CITCO.
Hotel Sheronz is a good hotel in Sector 35 with an attached bar and restaurant with excellent service.
Shivalik View adjacent to the bus stand at Sector 17 is run by CITCO
Mount View in Sector 10 is run by CITCO.
Source: wikipedia / wikitravel
Nearly all major Western fast food chains have registered their presence in Chandigarh.One can also relish the famous chicken delicacies available all over. North Indian food chains like Sagar Ratna (South Indian), Gopal, Nirula's and Sindhi Sweets also serve through several outlets in the city.
Black Lotus at the Taj Chandigarh offers Chinese fare, cooked by a Beijing chef.
Hotel Mountview and Shivalikview also offer specialized dining rooms and bars.
Orchid Lounge at Sector 34 provides excellent Thai cuisine
Source: wikipedia / wikitravel
Chandigarh is often accused of a dull night life considering its status as a metro. One can enjoy good drink at various pubs/bars with combined restaurants at Sector 35, Sector 26 and Sector 17. The bars remain open till 12-1 in the night. 'Condom Bar'- a unique bar themed upon condom, is operated by CITCO at Kalagram, Chandigarh-Manimajra Road.
Source: wikipedia / wikitravel
Chandigarh with the highest per capita in India is home to some of the biggest brands .It is a shopper's paradise. The main hot spots for shopping are markets of Sector 17, Sector 22, Sector 35 and Manimajra.
On 15 July 2007, Chandigarh became the first Indian city to go smoke free so visitors are required to take precautions while visiting public places Chandigarh is one of the most beautiful and safe cities in India. With the lowest crime rates in the country one can feel safe at any hour.
