About Chandigarh City
Chandigarh is well known city in India. It is also known as 'City beautiful'. It was designed by French person 'LE CORBOUSIER'. It was dream of our First Prime Minister 'Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru'. It was the first planned city with urban and modern architecture. 'Open Hand' is the symbol of Chandigarh.
Chandigarh derived its name from 'Chandi Mandir'. The deity 'Chandi' means the Goddess of power, Garh means Fort that lying beyond the Chandi temple. Chandigarh is situated in the foothills of shivalik. The foundation stone was laid in 1952. its a union territory under direct control of Centre Government. Now Chandigarh is also known as a capital of Punjab and Haryana.
The city is planned in many sections like, residential, commercial and industrial area. It was planned by architect Le Corbusier with the help of his cousin Pierre Jeanneret. Along with that many Indian architect Narinder S Lamba and J C Verma. They also contributed to build this city.
Climate
The climate of chandigarh is dry. Western monsoon, hot summers and bracing winters. There are four seasons: Summer or hot season is from mid march to june. july to mid September is monsoon season. Post monsoon or transition period is from mid September to the beginning of November from November to Mid march is the winter season. May and June are the hottest months of the year with maximum temp. 45 C and minimum temp is 26 C. the coldest months of the year is December and January with maximum temp. 25 C and minimum temp. is 3 C. The average annual rainfall in the city is 1110.7mm
Tourist Attraction Places in Chandigarh
Rock garden, Sukhna Lake, Rose Garden, Botanical garden, Leisure valley, Terrace garden, Boungainvillea garden, Shanti kunj, Children traffic Park, Museum and art gallery, International Doll museum, National gallery of portraits, Science museum.
Rock Garden
It is unique and world famous fantasy in the city. It is situated in the forest area having its own charm and grace for the tourists. It is built from the household and industrial waste and garbage. There is an images made of waste and cement. Images are made of broken household things. This creator of rock garden is SH. Nek Chand. He is from district gurdaspur in Punjab province. He was a labourer in PWD deptt. After that he promoted as a road inspector in Chandigarh. His interest made him to pick waste material. Then he started visit industries to pick the waste, and collected raw cement, broken china clay, and broken household waste. He dropped this waste in the vacant forest area (where now this unique creation is build) through trucks, almost ten to twelve year he worked hard for it alone. After that Government noticed it and giving recognition. Twelve acre area is allotted to the rock garden. Now it is under chandigarh tourism board (CITCO).
Sukhna Lake
It is situated in the southern part of the city with mountains and forest in its background. Sukhna Lake is 3km long lake and was contructed in1958 by damming the sukhna choe, coming down from shivalik hills. It is also a centre of activity for the residents of chandigarh. There is a jogging trekking area for the health conscious people of the chandigarh. It is place where family can enjoy a picnic and Boating and rafting for the adventure seekers. There is a Lake Club on the side of the lake premises. The Lake Club management provide facilities like water sports and recreational activities. Sukhna Lake also attracts migratory birds from different parts of world.
Rock Garden
Zakir Hussain Rose Garden is situated in sector-16. It is near to the city centre. It is Asia's Largest Rose garden. There is more than 1600 species of roses in the garden. It is planted in the beautiful lawns and Flower beds. It is spread over 30 acres of area. At the end of the February or the beginning of the March there is a festival in the garden known as Rose Festival. Lots of competition, cultural shows and many more events celebrated in this festival.
Botanical Garden: There are two Botanical garden in the city. One is in Panjab University and other one is in sector-1 near to Sukhna lake and Rock Garden. In Panjab University there are evergreen and exotic plants, where as in sector-1 garden, it is spread over 88 acres of areas. There are very rare species of plants as well as small pools in this garden
Leisure Valley
It is located in sector-10, Spread over 20 acres of area. The annual Bougainvillea show held in this garden.
Fragrance Garden
It is also called Garden of fragrance. Some of the fragnant plants found here like, Raat ki Rani, Motia, Champa, Haar Shingar, Mehendi, Jasmine etc. Jogging treks have been laid here. People usually came here for exercise and yoga.
Terrace Garden
It was set up in 1979. Situated in sector-33. Garden spread over the 10 acres of area. It has exquisite varities of plants. The lighted musical fountain is the main attraction of the garden where popular folk songs as well as films are played. The annual Chrysanthemum Show held in Terraced Garden. People frequently visit the garden for walk and enjoy fresh breeze.
Bongainvillea Garden
It is situated in the Sector-3, spread over 20 acres. The garden contains hundreds of varities of boungainvillea flowers It was set up in 1976. Jogging treks and complete exercise area are lying here for the fitness seekers. Annual Bougainvillea Show held here.
Shanti kunj
It is situated in very peaceful and free from noise and pollution. It is situated between the Rose garden and Cricket stadium sector-16. It is also known as 'Abode of Peace'. It is good place of meditation and there is a lots of varities of medicinal plants in the garden.
Children Traffic Park
It is a place where small children know about driving, they are safe from high speeding vehicles and get to know about the traffic rules and regulations. There is a laid out of Roads, Signals and all intersections which are in the city. It is equipped with all types of sign boards. The main aim of this park is to teach them to use road safety. It is under the control of Chandigarh Traffic Police.
Govt. Museum and Art Gallery
It is located in sector-10. It is a very famous tourist attraction. It has a stone sculpture of Gandhara period. It was set up in year 1968. It is also designed by Le Corbusier. It is also a place where you can find Gandhara sculpture, Fossils, Pre Historic architecture, Miniature paintings, Historic coins, Hindu Sculptures etc. It is closed on Monday only. It has a spacious library to know about the scholors and intellectual.
International Doll Museum
It is located in the Bal Bhavan sector-23. Dolls and Puppets from all over the world gathered here. It was establish in 24th dec.1985 with the collaboration of Rotary Club Chandigarh. It is like an amusement park for children. There is an open theater here. more than 250 different types of Dolls are gathered here from the countries like; Russia, Germany, Netherland, Korea and Spain etc.
National Gallery of Portraits
It is establish on 11th sep,1977. It is located in sector 17. There are portraits of Freedom Fighters, recordinge of Independence movement. It contains more than 1050 photographs, original writings, sculpture. More than 1000 books related to the Indian freedom kept in the library.
Museum of Evolution of Life (Science Museum)
It is in sector-10. It was establish in 14th august, 1973. an awesome museum that reminds you the History from the beginning of the Indus Valley Civilization. It is an appropriate place for those who have an interest in evolutionary studies. It has a paintings, sculptures on the origin of man also depicts the origin of earth.
Shopping center
Sector-17 Plaza, Sector-22
Religious places in and around Chandigarh
Chandi devi temple, Jayanti devi temple, Ancient Shiv temple, Mansa devi temple, Naina devi temple, Gurudwara nadha sahib, Anandpur sahib or takht sri keshgarh sahib, Gurudwara dukh nivaran sahib.
Chandi Mandir
The Chandi mata temple is located at the distance of about 15 km from the city. Chandi temple is dedicated to Chandi, Goddess of power, it is also known siddh peeth, where wishes comes true. The city named from this temple chandigarh. During navratras there is a thousands of devoties visit the temple to fulfil there wishes.
Jayanti Devi Temple
It is located at the distance of 12 km from the city. The pindi of devi brought from the Kangra in Himachal Pradesh where actual the ancient temple situated. This temple is build on the bank of river jayanti between shivalik hills.
Ancient Shiv Temple
It is located at the distance of 15 km from the city and 5 km from Mansa devi temple. It is also known as Saketri Temple. There is a big festival in the temple on the sacred day of Shivratri.
Mansa Devi Temple
It is located in the Panchkula just 10 km from Chandigarh. There are two parts of the temple old and new. Old temple was build by Maharaja of Patiala. In the time of Navratras the fair held in the surroundings of temple.
Gurdwara Nadha sahib
It is situated in Panchkula on the bank of Ghaghar river. It is located from the distance of 15 km from the city. After the battle with Mughals, Guru Gobind singh along with his fellow sikh warriors they stayed over there, when they came back. Here they got a warm welcome by Nadu shah. He was Guru gobind singh ji's follower. Guru ji blessed Nadu Shah from his service this place will be famous by the name of Nadha Sahib. Lakhs of worshippers visit gurdwara on the full moon day (poornmashi) of every month.
Gurdwara Amb Sahib
It is situated in Mohali district. Just 5 km from chandigarh. It is famous for mango tree that bears the fruit even in winter season. In 1659, Guru Har Rai, seventh guru of Sikhs visit here to meet their follower, Bhai Kooram. The fruit which bears in winter that is distributed in sangat as prashad. The fair is held on the occasion of sankrant that falls in the month of January.
Festivals
Festival of gardens, April fool's day, Baisakhi, Mango festival, Teej, The Chrysanthemums show, Plaza carnival, Chandigarh carnival.
Festival of Garden
It is held in Zakir Hussain Rose Garden sector-16 in the last of February or the beginning of March. In this festival lots of species of Roses are displayed, many competitions and cultural events occurred there.
April Fool's Day
There is a gathering in chandigarh from all over the world to attend the Colossal fools. Even people who usually don't enjoy the poetry they also join the Maha Murkha Sammelan or Colossal fools.
Baisakhi
It is the first day or new year of Hindu Calender. It is the day when they starts wheat harvesting. It is the festival for Sikhs they celebrate it as a foundation day of Khalsa Panth. People dressed up in best clothing and visit different temples and gurdwaras.
Mango Festival
It is celebrated in the month of June. It is place where hundreds of varities of mangoes are displayed in the festival. Mango festival is celebrated in Pinjore Garden which is 25 km from the city beautiful. It is a good platform for the Mango growers in the country. It is fabulous opportunity to the industries who made Jams, Jellies, Pickles etc from mango.
Teej
It is celebrated in the month of August. Rock Garden serves this festival with its swings. It is an Indian festival in which ladies participate a lot. Ladies purchases new clothes, bangles and painted their hands with mehendi. Various dance performance perform by them and enjoy it with full grace.
Chrysanthemums Show
It is held in Terrace Garden in the month of December. In this show different varities of flowers placed there. Different contests held on the basis of Gardening. Most of the city residents participated in it.
Chandigarh Carnival
It is celebrated in the last of November. It is hosted at Leisure Valley sector-10. Carnival is inaugurated with full fun and frolic. It is a good platform for the city children and students to show their talent in the carnival. There are some competition for senior people also, all are organized by the chandigarh govt.
Plaza Carnival
It is celebrated in sector-17 plaza. It is weekly show which held on the weekend. Plaza carnival is organized by the private organization to promote the talent of the local youth