CHANDIGARH

THE CITY BEAUTIFUL

LOCATION
 FACTS ABOUT
CHANDIGARH
Union Territory: Chandigarh
Capital: Chandigarh
Language: Punjabi
Area: 114 km2
Territory Area Rank: 33
Elevation: 350 m
Population Density: 8400 per km2
Website: chandigarh.nic.in
 THE CITY BEAUTIFUL
Chandigarh is the best-planned city in
India, with architecture which is world-
renowned, and a quality of life, which is
unparalleled. As the capital of the states of
Punjab and Haryana, and the Union
Territory of Chandigarh it is a prestigious
city. The face of modern India, Chandigarh,
is the manifestation of a dream that Pt.
Jawaharlal Nehru envisaged and Le
Corbusier executed.
Serenity and a city are two diametrically
opposite concepts, which however, get
belied in the 'City Beautiful'. It is here that
the trees and plants are as much a part of
the construction plans as the buildings and
the roads. Indias first planned city, is a
rich, prosperous, green city rightly called
THE CITY BEAUTIFUL.
HERITAGE
 THE ARCHITECTURE
Chandigarh is one of the most significant urban
planning experiments of the 20th century. It is
the only one of the numerous urban planning
schemes of Le Corbusier, the famous French
architect-planner, to have actually been
executed. Le Corbusier summed up his work on
the city in an "edict", a few points summarized
here:
The city of Chandigarh is planned to human
scale. Here the radiance of nature and heart
are within our reach.
This city is composed of sectors. Each
sector is 800 meters by 1,200 meters,
enclosed by roads allocated to fast
mechanized transport and sealed to direct
access from the houses.
The central plaza in Sector 17 was designed
by Le Corbusier as "Pedestrian's Paradise".
No vehicular traffic will be permitted in the
plaza.
No personal statues shall be erected in the
city or parks of Chandigarh. The city is
planned to breathe the new sublimated
spirit of art.
 CAPITOL COMPLEX
The Capitol Complex is Le Corbusiers
most spectacular work. The
magnificent edifices, set against the
Shivalik peaks, stand as massive
concrete sculptures, representing the
monumental character authority that
the complex represents. It is the seat
of the government of the States of
Punjab and Haryana. It comprises
three epoch-making master-pieces:
the Secretariat, the High Court and
the Legislative Assembly. Separated
by large piazzas, the subtle and most
evocative grouping of these buildings
is of breath-taking beauty.
And in the centre stands the giant
metallic sculpture of The Open Hand,
the official emblem of Chandigarh,
signifying the citys credo of open to
give, open to receive.
 PINJORE GARDEN
Pinjore Gardens(also known asPinjor
GardensorYadavindra Gardens) is
located inPinjore,Panchkula districtin
theIndianstateofHaryana. It is an example
of theMughal Gardensstyle, and was built by
Patiala Dynasty Rulers.
The garden has been laid in seven terraces
with the main gate of the garden opening
into the highest first terrace which has a
palace built in RajasthaniMughal style. It is
called the Shish Mahal (palace of glass),
which is adjoined by a romantic "Hawa
Mahal" (airy Palace). The second terrace with
arched doorways has the "Rang Mahal"
(painted palace). The third terrace has
cypress trees and flowerbeds leading to
dense groves of fruit trees. The next terrace
has the "Jal Mahal" (palace of water) with a
square fountain bed and a platform to relax.
Fountains and tree groves are provided in the
next terrace. The lowermost terrace has an
open-air theatre, which is designed as a disc-
like structure.
 ROCK GARDEN
Chandigarh has the distinction of having a
unique world acclaimed Rock Garden. It
consist of art object, fashioned from
industrial and urban waste. It nestles
amidst 20acres 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. It is
without doubt, a tourist spot that is a must
on the itinerary of visitor to Chandigarh.
The layout of the garden is based on the
fantasy of a lost kingdom. The moment
one enters the garden, the small entrance
doors which make the head bow, not only
creates an ambience of royal, but also
impart humbleness. One has to pass
through a verity of doorways, archways,
vestibules, streets and lanes of different
scales and dimensions, each one opening
into a new array of display or courtyards
and chambers lending an air of suspense
and curiosity at every corner, at every
turn.
 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,
either at the end of February
or beginning of March, a big
festival known as Rose
Festival, is celebrated at this
garden. There are lots of
competitions, cultural
celebrations and many other
events. It is indeed a
beautiful and a pleasant
place to visit.
 LEISURE VALLEY
A continuum of various theme gardens
to take care of the body and spirit of
the city. Le Corbusier retained the
eroded valley of a seasonal rivulet on
the original site of the City and
sculptured it into a Linear park now
over 8km long .It startsfrom Sector 1
in the north and leaves Chandigarh at
its southern most edge in sector 53.
RAJENDRA PARK, Sector 1 - The
Leisure Valley starts from the Rajendra
Park. The park is a vast stretch of land
of about 400 acres abutting the
Secretariat building on its eastern side.
Le Corbusier himself designed the
landscape scheme of this park .Trees
with round canopies and evergreen
foliage have been planted here.
 LEISURE VALLEY
SMRITI UPAVAN, Sector 1 - This
space has been set aside to allow
people to plant trees in the memory
of the departed. This is a garden
where every tree commemorate
someone who is no more. It was
formally inaugurated on 14.11.1998
by planting a banyan tree in the
memory of the first Prime Minister of
India, Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru.
BOUGAINVILLEA GARDEN, Sector-
3 - It spreads over an area of 20
acres. The natural choe running
through the valley starts from here.
The garden is devoted to hundreds of
varieties of bougainvillea.
 LEISURE VALLEY
SHANTI KUNJ, Sector16 - Shanti Kunj
is situated between Rose Garden and
Cricket in Sector 16. This is a
completely noise-free area with natural
undulations. The natural stream running
through this garden divides the park
into five areas. The five parts of the
garden depict different kinds of trees
such as medicinal plants, vertical
shaped trees, flowering trees, trees for
shade and environmentally suitable
areas.
TERRACED GARDEN, Sector 33 - A
small valley running through the length
of the sector has been developed into a
Terraced Garden. Its main attraction is
an illuminated musical fountain.
 LEISURE VALLEY
TOPIARY PARK, Sector 35 - It was
opened to the public in 1987. Many
animal shapes created out of creepers
and bushes attract children to this
park. A large variety of ornamental
plants add to the parks charm.
HIBISCUS GARDEN, Sector 36 - It
covers an area of 8 acres and about 40
different varieties of Hibiscus shrubs
have been planted to provide color
throughout the year.
GARDEN OF FRAGRANCE, Sector
36 - Situated to the south of the
Hibiscus Garden, it is very popular for
different varieties of aromatic and
fragrant plants. The flower plants like
Raat ki Rani, Motia, varieties of
Jasmine, Demask Rose and many
others cast a pervading aroma in this
part of the Leisure Valley.
 SUKHNA LAKE
Sukhna Lake is anartificial lakeat the
foothills of theHimalayas, theShivalik
Hills. This 3km rain fed lake was created
in 1958 by damming the Sukhna Choe, a
seasonal stream coming down from the
Shivalik Hills. The creation of thelakewas
one of the greatest gifts fromLe
Corbusierand the Chief Engineer P L
Verma to the city ofChandigarh. To
preserve its tranquility Corbusier insisted
that it be forbidden to motor boats and
the top of the dam (promenade)
prohibited to vehicular traffic. The lake is
fringed by a golf course to the south,
andNek Chands famousRock Garden of
Chandigarhto its west. Sukhna is a
sanctuary for many exotic migratory birds
like theSiberian duck,Storksand Cranes,
during the winter months.
ADVENTURE
 FORESTS
Kansal & Nepli : Chandigarh has
3245 hectares under forest and most
of it is hilly. The forest areas are
mostly around Sukhna Lake, Sukhna
Choe and Patiala ki Rao. Near village
Kansal on the outskirts of
Chandigarh towards the hills is a
reserve forest. At a short distance
from Kansal forest is located another
reserve forest known as Nepli. Nepli
is a bit more wild than Kansal.
Forest Trek : There are excellent
places for trekking in the hills near
Chandigarh. Most of these routes are
in Himachal Pradesh and Haryana.
Some of the prominent trekking
routes are :
Kalka to Kasauli ( 15km)
Jabali to Kasauli (6 km)
Morni to Tikar Tal (7km)
Morni to Ghagar River (4km)
Kasauli to Sabathu (13km)
 CHHATBIR ZOO
Also known as theMahendra
Chaudhary Zoological Park, Chhatbir
zoo, the distinguished zoological
garden is located at a distance of 17
km from Chandigarh and 55 km from
Patiala. The zoo sprawls across an
expanse of 202 acres against a
stunning green backdrop.
The main attraction of the Chhatbir zoo
Chandigarh is the Royal Bengal Tiger,
which has developed into the perfect
point of interest for visiting the zoo.
Visitors are taken in a caged motor
vehicle to the tigers refuge to savor its
attractions. While traveling inside the
tigers refuge, the visitors can enjoy
close ups of this magnificent animal.

KAUSANI HILL STATION
One of the most beautiful hill
resorts near Nainital, Kausani is
one of the most scenic places
which is every tourist's dream
destination. Far away from the
fast paced life of the scorched
plains, Kausani is the idyllic
retreat for all you nature
lovers, who wish to spend a
few days in the lap of nature.
Nestled in the Kumaoun
Himalayas, Kausani in
Uttaranchal is the nearest hill
station to Chandigarh. Located
at a height of 1890 meters
above the sea level, Kausani is
surrounded by lush acres of
greenery and dense
woodlands.
During 1929, Mahatma Gandhi
spent a few days in Kausani
and to commemorate his
memory, the Gandhi Ashram
has been built here.
SOME OTHER PLACES TO
SEE
Sector 17 Plaza : One of the most
important places to visit is Sector 17,
Chandigarh's sleek shopping area and
the city centre. Planned around four
pedestrian concourses meeting at a
central chowk (intersection), the
Sector 17 of Chandigarh is a
pedestrian's paradise dotted with
fountains, sculptures, and groves of
trees.
Government Museum and Art
Gallery
Museum of Evolution of Life
The Hidden Valley : The Hidden
Valley is an Ecotourism camping
adventure site in the Shivalik Foothills.
It is located near the famous Mata
Jainti Devi Temple in Village Jainti Majri,
Punjab. Agreatexperience of raw
nature & countryside life and a good
break from the routine city life!!

BAISAKHI FESTIVAL
Baisakhi festival has a lot of
significance for people of
Punjab. It marks the
beginning of harvest season.
It also celebrates the
founding of Khalsa panth.
According to the solar
calendar, this festivity of
merriment falls on the first
day of the Year, which is
usually 14th April. Baisakhi
festival in Chandigarh, India
is celebrated with lot of
excitement and cheerfulness.
Men and women dress up in
the best of their clothing and
visit temples and Gurudwaras
to offer prayers. Special food
is prepared at home. Folk
dances are performed.
Chandigarh Baisakhi festival
celebration takes place with
great pomp and show.

CHANDIGARH CARNIVAL
Chandigarh carnival is a three
day long mega event that is held
every year in the month of
November. It is usually hosted at
the Leisure valley in Sector 10. It
is organized by the Chandigarh
administration to promote
creativity and talent of the
citizens of Chandigarh and
adjoining places. Carnival of
Chandigarh is celebrated with
fun and frolic. It provides a
platform, especially to children
and senior citizens, to come
forward and exhibit their talent.
It gives a boost to talented
people. Various competitions are
conducted for senior citizens like
painting and clay modeling etc.
Pick and drop facilities are
provided to senior citizens, so
that they do not have to face any
kind of inconvenience. This event
definitely deserves a mention,
when the talk is about the
popular fairs and festivals of
 CHRYSANTHEMUMS

SHOW
Chrysanthemums Show in
Chandigarh, India is a very
famous flower show that is
hosted every year at the
Terraced garden in Sector
33. This fair is usually held
in the month of December.
In the Chandigarh
Chrysanthemums flower
show; you can find
distinctive varieties of
flowers. As a part of this
show, various competitions
are conducted regarding
gardening, in which many
city gardeners participate.
Chrysanthemums Show
has been drawing more
and more crowds each
year. This flower show has
been increasingly gaining
momentum.
 MANGO FESTIVAL
The name mango festival is
suggestive of the fact that it is
a festivity of mangoes. Mango
festival in Chandigarh is
celebrated with splendid
grandeur. It gives a platform
to all mango growers of our
country to display their
varieties. Also, the agricultural
universities participate and
exhibit the latest hybrids of
this fruit.
Chandigarh mango festival
takes place in the month of
June & Pinjore garden usually
serves as the venue. This
festivity cum fair gives a
fabulous opportunity to the
food industries that process
mango into jams, pickles and
canned fruit, to showcase their
products. This fair is drawing
more and more crowds every
year.
 TRADITIONAL FOODS
Vegetarian Dishes
Sarson ka Saag (curry of
mustard leaves), Dal
Makhani/ Dal Handi (curry
of pulses), Choley
(generally eaten with
Naan), Punj Ratani Dal (a
mixture of 5 lentils), Kadhai
Paneer, Shahi Paneer, and
Sheer Korma.
Non-vegetarian Dishes
Tandoori Chicken, Butter
Chicken, Bhuna Ghosht
(Dish made of lamb),
Kebab, Amritsari Fish,
Tandoori Fish, Fish Tikka,
Chicken Biriyani, Lamb
Biriyani, Keema Naans,
Reshmi Tikka, Malai Tikka,
and Pork Pickle.
 TRADITIONAL FOODS
Bread & Flour Preparations
There are also a variety of bread
and flour preparations consumed
in Chandigarh. Some of them are
Naan, Tandoori Roti, Kulcha,
Lachha Paratha, Phulka or
Chapatti, Aloo Paratha, Mooli
Paratha, Poori, and Bhatoora.
Sweet Dishes
Several sweet items are made by
the people of Chandigarh, to
titillate the taste buds. The most
popular and distinctive among
them is Roh Di Kheer, prepared
by cooking rice in sugarcane
juice. Some other popular
desserts of the area are
baalushahi, jalebi and malpua.
Dont forget to taste all of them
while touring Chandigarh.
HOW TO REACH
o By Air : The airport is 11 km from downtown. Taxis are available
for Airport transfer. Indian Airlines, Jet Airways and Air Deccan
connects Chandigarh with New Delhi the National Capital.
o By Rail : Chandigarh is linked with New Delhi, the National
Capital by Rail. The Chandigarh Railway Station is 8 Kms from the
city centre in Sector 17. The twice daily Shatabdi, Jan Shatabdi and
Himalayan Queen connects New Delhi and Chandigarh. Paschim
Express connects the city to Mumbai, Sadbhavna to Lucknow,
Kerala Sampark Kranti to Kerala and Chennai Express to Chennai.
o By Road : Chandigarh is well connected by road and buses
provide an important transport link. There are services from
various states such as- Haryana, Punjab, Himachal, and Delhi. It is
a gateway to Himachal Pradesh as one can reach hill stations like
Kasauli, Chail, Shimla etc within in a few hours drive. You can book
your taxi on chandigarhtodelhitaxiservice.com too.
 Where To Stay
Deep Roots Retreat Farm House

The Deep Roots Retreat is a well-appointed and secluded working farm set
amidst the Punjab Countryside, just 26 km away from Chandigarh. Nestled
amidst, 25 acres of farmland with a fair measure of Mango and Guava trees, the
retreat offers an environment so tranquil and serene that staying here will be a
rejuvenating break for you. The mango orchard is home to the peacocks, their
enchanting calls adds to the ambiance.
Our Tours provide you a glimpse of the history of Punjab and take you back to an
era when brave, honest and pious men built the territory which we now call the
Punjab. Click here to know more