G.B. International ::- Chandigarh
| North India | Punjab | Haryana | Chandigarh | Other States |
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Chandigarh
Chandigarh, the beautiful capital of Punjab and Haryana is situated in a picturesque setting at the foot of the Shivalik Hills, the outermost edge of the Himalaya. It is a modern city built in 1950, divided into 47 numbered sectors, separated by broad avenues. It is also a union territory. Chandigarh was a child of India’s independence. After the partition of India in 1947, the state of Punjab was split and its capital, Lahore, became a part of Pakistan. A new centre of governance was needed for the state of Punjab. The present site of Chandigarh was chosen for its scenic location at the base of the Shivalik Hills, its fertile soil, and its prodigious water supply. A planned city, Chandigarh emerged in 1952 from the modernist craze of creating huge, geometrically quirky human environment considered symbolic of the future order of humanity. The construction of Chandigarh began in 1950, according to the plan by the French architect, LeCorbusier.
Chandigarh is a well-planned modern city. Although the city’s population is growing, it is far from the chaos and troubles of a big city. The people are nice and well behaved. Every sector is self-sufficient in itself. The city transport system is also well maintained. This is one of the reasons that Chandigarh has become an ideal city of India.
Besides all the traditional religious observances and national holidays, there are several festivals which are only celebrated by a Chandigarhian.
Excursions
Capitol ComplexAmongst the must visit places in Chandigarh is the monumental Capitol Complex at Sector 1. The tourist attraction happens to dominate the skyline of Chandigarh. Standing aloof at the foothills of the city of Chandigarh, like the Grecian Acropolis, the geometrical concrete buildings rise from the mounds as giant playful sculptures. The places to be visited in the Capitol complex of Chandigarh are the three major buildings of the Secretariat, the Assembly, and the High Court. All the three are interlocked to one another as part of a subtle visual composition, delicately balanced, and enclosing grandiose spaces. Between the silhouettes of these magnificent edifices is juxtaposed the Chandigarh city's most popular visible symbol: the Open Hand
The Open Hand
One of the most significant monuments planned by Le Corbusier in Chandigarh is the Open Hand. The monument is a place to visit in Chandigarh. Rising 85 feet high from a sunken trench, a giant hand in metal sheets is designed to rotate "like a weather cock, not to show the incertitude of ideas, but to indicate symbolically the direction of wind (that is the state of affairs)." It is also meant to convey a message of peace "open to receive."
Sukhna Lake
Another favorite recreation spot of the nature-loving people of Chandigarh is the Sukhna Lake in Sector 1. Created by building an artificial dam on a seasonal stream, Chandigarh's Sukhna Lake is spread over a large area. A 2-km-long promenade along the lakeshore is a popular place to be visited in Chandigarh by the tourists and localities alike.
The Rock Garden
No description of Chandigarh city can be complete without a mention of its most celebrated creations-the Rock Garden. Spread over 12 acres of wooded land near the Capitol Complex the Rock Garden of Chandigarh is the creation of a humble road inspector called Nek Chand. The urban waste material turned into creative patterns and textures, mute rocks turned into art objects attract tourists to Chandigarh. A visit to the Rock Garden is a must for all the tourists travelling to Chandigarh.
Government Museum and Art Gallery
The Government Museum and Art Gallery in Sector 10 of Chandigarh has a fine collection of stone sculptures of the Gandhara period. The museum is the place to see the prehistoric fossils and artifacts along with modern art and miniature paintings. The Government Museum and Art Gallery of Chandigarh is open from 10.00 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. and is closed on Mondays.
International Dolls Museum
The International Dolls Museum in Sector 23 of Chandigarh has an interesting collection of dolls and puppets from all over the world covering the variant art of more than 25 countries. Chandigarh city's International Dolls museum is closed on Sundays.
How to Reach
By AirChandigarh has an airport just 11kms away from the City Centre. Indian Airlines connect the city with other major cities like Mumbai , Delhi, Jammu, and Amritsar .
By Rail
The rail network serves the city conveniently. Chandigarh Railway Station is about 8kms from the City Centre.
By Road
The city can boast of an excellent road-network. It is also conveniently located within motor-able distance from a number of major cities of North India. National Highways 21 and 22 run through the city. Near perfect road condition and breathtaking views on either side of the road offers a pleasant drive.