Chandigarh, The City Beautiful

The Union Territory of Chandigarh is the capital of both Punjab and Haryana. This best-planned modern city of India was planned and designed by Le Corbusier, a famous French architect, and his cousin Pierre Jeanneret. The charming town referred to as the ‘paean to the urban planning’ is divided into several self-contained sectors, with its market-place, hospitals, educational institutions, worship places, gardens, and open playgrounds, etc. Provision for a separate self-contained industrial zone at the east end of the city was made, to keep the city pollution-free.

Chandigarh ushered into India “the modern architectural era” and is a manifestation of the dreams and aspirations of young India. Jawahar Lal Nehru remarked -“Let this be a new town, symbolic of the freedom of India, unfettered by the traditions of the past…an expression of the nation’s faith in the future”.

Rock Garden: This unique garden made out of rubble ranging from industrial to urban waste was conceived and created by Nek Chand. It is a must-visit site of Chandigarh.

Rose Garden: This largest Rose Garden in Asia was named after Dr. Zakir Hussain, the former President of India. The garden sprawls over an area of 27 acres and has more than 17,000 plants representing about 1,600 varieties of rose species. It also has beautiful fountains and a large number of trees known for medicinal value.

Sukhna Lake: The beautiful lake provides water sports facilities like boating, water- skiing, canoeing, etc. It also has a cafeteria and pub.

Other places of interest are – Govt. Museum & Art Gallery, City Museum, Panjab University, International Doll Museum, national gallery of Portraits, etc.