www.raahi.com
Hi Guest! Welcome to
India's leading travel community
Sign in | Sign up

search

Keyword
e.g. Taj Palace, Hotel Himani
Search in section
  
 
 
 
 

To see and do in Chandigarh

nothing lonely about the planet
Travel Guide » Asia » India » Chandigarh
Explore: The World | India
 
Chandigarh
book a hotel
(Union Territory)


Corbusier?s Creation

If someone says, One man can build almost an entire city, you would laugh. But visit Chandigarh and you would realize that it is actually not impossible. The face of modern India, Chandigarh, is the manifestation of a dream that Nehru envisaged and Le Corbusier executed. India's first ?planned city, is in sharp contrast to its other Indian counterparts, a rich, prosperous, spic and span, green city. If you are under the impression that a visit to India is all about being pick-pocketed and pestered by mosquitoes and beggars, Chandigarh will definitely belie such expectations. With the Shivalik hill range giving the city a picturesque backdrop, Chandigarh is typically beautiful too.

This is a city that doesn't contradict itself, with rich skyscrapers surrounded by poor slums. This is a city, which rather flaunts its well-being. Join in and celebrate.
book a hotel
|
Getting There
|
to see and do
|
Entertainment & Night Life
|
To See & Do

raahi.com 		 
Landmarks
  Capitol Complex Also referred to as the Temples of Democracy, the High Court, Secretariat and the Vidhan Sabha (Legislative Assembly) are all in Sector 1 and designed by Corbusier making Chandigarh proud. The High Court and can be visited any time as there are no security restrictions. It's architectural highlights are the overhanging roof and buttresses. Corbusier has painstakingly designed an intricate tapestry for every room. For visiting the Secretariat and the Vidhan Sabha, arm yourself with a permission letter from the Chandigarh Tourist Centre (1st floor, Sector 17; Tel: 2703839). Rock Garden What began as a crazy pastime of a nondescript traffic inspector is today Chandigarh's most famous landmark. Inspector Nek Chand has used junk of every kind- bottles, tiles, tins, pots, stones- to build a garden with cobbled pathways, gazebos, pavilions and even tiny streams and waterfalls. There are models of dogs, birds, elephants, mythological creatures, again fashioned from recycled junk. The park is close to the Capitol Complex. Sukhna Lake Le Corbusier's brainchild is this artificial lake, created by damming the Sukhna Choe, a stream flowing down from the Shivaliks. The lake has boating facilities. Fringing the lake are gardens, a playground and a restaurant-cum-bar. Jogging or strolling by the lake is a popular activity. Storks and cranes make migratory visits to Sukhna.

raahi.com 		 
Museums
  City Museum The museum tells you all about the planning and progress of the city. Photos, letters, models, newspapers, reports and architectural drawings related to the city's construction are on display. The museum is open all days except Mondays and national holidays. Government Museum and Art Gallery Set up by M.S. Randhawa, the first Chief Commissioner of Chandigarh, the museum today has some priceless stone sculptures and miniature paintings, especially of the Pahari and Kangra schools. The objects d'art in terracotta, ivory, lacquer, ceramic, and enamel, and phulkari and rumal embroidery make interesting viewing. The museum is open from 10 am-4.30 pm; Mondays are holidays. National Gallery of Portraits A visual narration of the Indian independence movement through photographs and paintings is what this gallery is all about. It is in Sector 17 and admits visitors between 10 am-5.30 pm.

raahi.com 		 
Parks and Gardens
  Though Bangalore is the official Garden City, Corbusier has laid out enough gardens in and around Chandigarh to warrant a similar epithet to the city. The Rose Garden in Sector 16 with its musical fountain, and the multihued Bougainvillea Garden in Sector 3 are among the best. Pinjore (Yadavindra) Gardens Soft carpet of undulating grass dotted with fountains and pavilions, this demands a visit. It was originally built in the 17th century by Aurangazeb's brother Fidai Khan. Legend has it that the mythological Pandavas stopped here during their exile. Pinjore is 20 km from the city centre, on the Pinjore-Kalka Road.

raahi.com 		 
Religious Places
  Mansa Devi and Chandi Mandir Some 10 km from Chandigarh, these temples dedicated to the Mother Goddess predate the city. The garden attached to the Mansa Devi temple is believed to contain sacred plants.

raahi.com 		 
Festivals
  Baisakhi (April) Baisakhi marks the Hindu New Year. For the Sikhs, it is also the day when Guru Gobind Singh initiated the Khalsa. Guru Nanak Jayanti (October/November) The birth anniversaries of the ten Sikh gurus, including those of Guru Nanak and Guru Gobind Singh (December/January) are holy days. People throng to the gurudwaras, shabad (verses from the Granth Sahib) are sung and langars (community kitchens) set up to serve food to one and all.
 
 
Home |  About us |  Feedback  |  Contact us  |  Sitemap |  Disclaimer |  Terms of service  |  Report abuse |  We are hiring |  Book flights |  Advertise with us
About Raahi.com
Raahi provides unbiased reviews, recommendations, opinions on hotels, resorts, guest house, bed and breakfast (B&B) etc. along with online hotel bookings/reservations.
Read reviews & rating of hotels by real travelers before you book.
Make a smarter choice!



 
Best viewed in 1024 x 768 pixels screen resolution and IE 6.0 and above