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| Chandigarh |
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Chandigarh is the first planned modern city of India designed by the French
architect Le Corbusier. The 114 sq. km city is a Union Territory of India
and also serves as the joint capital for both the states of Punjab and Haryana.
Chandigarh was named after the Mother Goddess, Chandi. Le-Corbusier assisted
by his cousin, Pieree Jeanneret, and the English couple E. Mazwell Fry and
Jane B. Druel, were responsible for most of the public and residential buildings
raised in Chandigarh between 1950 and 1965. Today the city is a vast commercial
complex with air conditioned showrooms and sprawling shopping areas. From
government emporia, innumerable shops, eateries, coffee houses to bars and
pubs, the city offers something for every visitor to the state. Major tourist
attractions here are the Rose Garden, Rock Garden, Sukhna Lake, Fun Republic
and Kalagram. For golf lovers, there is also an 18-hole golf course in Sector
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| GETTING HERE |
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WHAT TO SEE |
Chandigarh is connected by air with Delhi, Amritsar, Leh, Mumbai and Goa.
There are daily flights from Delhi, which is connected to all major cities
and town in Northern India and the rest of the country.
Chandigarh Railway Station is about 8 kms from the City Centre in Sector
17. Shatabdi Express and Himalayan Queen provide two train connections every
day between Chandigarh and Delhi. Chandigarh Transport Undertaking and Corporation
buses ply to and from the railway station to coincide with the arrival and
departure of important trains
Chandigarh Transport Undertaking runs regular bus services to Delhi,
Dehradun, Haridwar, Shimla, Manali, Katra (J&K) and major towns of
Punjab and Haryana. Buses of several State Road Transport Corporations
connect Chandigarh with many cities and towns of neighbouring states.
Distances from Chandigarh are - Delhi (245 kms), Amritsar (284 kms), Kasauli
(51 kms), Nangal Dam (103 kms), Ludhiana (88 kms), Shimla (120 kms), Chail
(115 kms), Manali (320 kms), Dharamsala (250 kms), Dalhousie (320 kms)
and Kurukshetra (90 kms). Taxies are easily available in the city. Short
distances can also be covered by auto rickshaw and cycle-rickshaw. |
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One of the important tourist attractions in the city is the Rock garden,
which is an architectural wonder that covers an area of 6 acres. It was
built by Nekchand Saini, with multicoloured pieces of stones and other discarded
objects. The Sukhna Lake is an artificial lake, spread over an area of 3
sq. km. Boating facilities are available here, and walking around the perimeter
of the lake is a very refreshing experience. The museum-cum-art gallery
is another wonderful place to see. It houses an extensive range of paintings
and sculptures by contemporary Indian artists, as well as a collection of
old Indian miniatures of the Mughal, Kangra and Rajasthani Schools. In Sector
16, is Asia's largest rose garden, Zakir Gulab Bagh, spread over 30 acres
of land, boasting of 50,000 rose-trees of 1600 different species! The Secretariat
and High Court buildings, located in Sector 1, are veritable proofs of the
architectural expertise of Le Corbusier. One can enjoy an excellent view
of the city from the roof of the Secretariat. The High Court has a double
roof, which provides protection from the sun. The bustling Super Market
area or shopping centre at Sector 17 is another major attraction. Other
places of interest include the State Library, Shanti Kunj, Moonlight Garden,
Bougainvillea Garden, Bidhan Sabha and University - each a fine specimen
of modern art. |
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