Chandigarh
INTRO
Chandigarh, or often called the City Beautiful, is indeed a pretty modern place, enchanting with its meticulously maintained gardens and characteristic architecture. "The Fort of Chandi" is the literal translation of the city's name, which was derived from the temple of goddess Chandi. Deliberately leaving behind its history from its very inception, the city is positively headed for a bright and prosperous future.
City Profile
City: Chandigarh
Country: India
Area: 114 km2
Population: 900,635
Districts: 47
Governor:
Language: Hindi, Punjabi,
Rating: #1 / 126 at Asian-Cities
LOCATION
Built at the foot of the Shivalik hills in Northern India, Chandigarh has s strategic economic status of serving as the capital of two provinces: Punjab and Haryana. The city provides one of the best living conditions in the country and is easily reachable by air, train and bus from the Indian capital or other smaller cities in the country.
TIME TO VISIT
Chandigarh has a sub-tropical climate that is influenced by occasional continental monsoons. The weather is rather inconsistent here with the exception of the average temperatures during the seasons. Chandigarh is characterised with hot summers, sometimes reaching 45 degrees Celsius, and cool winters that could bring freezing temperatures. The monsoon season is pleasant at nights but might get too humid and unwelcoming during the daytime. The best time to visit the city is between mid-August and November when the weather is mild, there is no rain or monsoons and the temperatures vary around 25 degrees C.
POPULATION
The city has a population of more than 900,000 people. The main religion is Hinduism but other beliefs are also encountered such as Sikhism, Islam and Christianity. The native people speak Hindu as well as Punjabi but it is not uncommon to hear English speech, especially at the major tourist sites.
DISTRICTS
"The fort of Chandi" is divided into 47 sectors, each of which is provided with its own shops, medical buildings, residential areas and parks. The city is also divided into four main work areas.
- Sector 17 is the centre of the city that houses the administrative offices, banks and shopping malls.
- The north area houses the whole capitol complex, including the Secretariat, the assembly and the High Court.
- The west area is the centre of educational with all the universities and institutes situated there.
- The east area is the area where all the industry of the city is concentrated.
SIGHTS & ATTRACTIONS
There are several landmarks that should not be missed when in Chandigarh.
- The Rock Garden is the main tourist attraction in Chandigarh. It was built by a local man, Nek Chand, who decided to make himself a small garden and started by making sculptures out of waste materials in a forbidden area. He was hiding from the authorities but they did catch him and luckily, instead of destroying his art, they allowed him to continue with the construction and today, the garden covers a huge territory, the charm of which cannot be fully described. People call it enchanting, mystical and truly creative. Waterfalls and beautiful rocks add to its uniqueness. More info on the admission fee and how to get there: http://www.nekchand.com/visit.html
- Rose Garden is the largest rose garden in the whole continent. It is fascinating that such a beauty can be maintained in these latitudes. The garden was established in 1967 under the guidance of the city's first commissioner. It houses more than 1,500 different roses covering an area of 27 acres. Every year, usually in February or March, the garden is the host of the Rose Festival that is an important event for the local people.
- Pinjore Gardens are situated some 20 km from Chandigarh and are the main picnic spot in the area as well as one of the oldest gardens in Northern India. Designed in the 17th century by Khan Fidai for the current emperor, they these Mughal gardens are a home for monkeys that are not kept in cages and wander the gardens freely. Several fountains adorn the place and contribute to the serene and lovely atmosphere. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pinjore-24k
- Sukhna Lake is a man-made lake formed in 1958. It is a favourite spot for the local people who can be seen here jogging, having walks or entertaining themselves at the nearest coffee shop or at the mini-amusement park. Paddle boats are available to hire for a reasonable price of Rs.30, 40. There are also several small shops that sell souvenirs and handicrafts.
- Capitol Complex comprises of three main buildings: The Secretariat, The High Court and the Assembly. This is a must-visit area for those who are interested in architecture. The security there is tight but visitors are allowed if the have a permission from the Tourist Office that is situated in "Deluxe Administration building". It is worth the efforts for the buildings are amazing and the complex provides picturesque views of the whole city. Prepare for at least one whole day if you wish to see everything inside the complex.
- Government Museum and Art Gallery is located within close proximity to the other two museums. It was open in 1968 and exhibits stone sculptures, prehistoric fossils, Hindu statues and other characteristic articles. It is definitely worth visiting if you are interested in history. More info on the admission fee and how to get there: chdmuseum.nic.in/ - 16k
AIRPORT
Several airlines serve passengers every day, providing fast transportation to Chandigarh from Delhi and other major cities in India.
- Chandigarh Airport is a domestic airport that is situated some 12 km from the city centre. The easiest way to reach the city is by taking a taxi that is comfortably air-conditioned. Taxis are metred, starting at Rs.15 and adding Rs.12 for every subsequent kilometre.
LOCAL TRANSPORTATION
Chandigarh has a well developed transportation network:
- Public buses are an efficient and frequent public transport that costs Rs.5 regardless of the distance. The tickets have a map of the bus routes on their back. There is also a special tourist bus route that operates between the main places of interest. Fares: Rs.75, full day; Rs.50, half day.
- Taxis have recently become a comfortable and available means of transportation. The cabs can be found on the main Taxi stands as well as at the Airport and the Railway Station. Fares: Rs.15 initial price, Rs.12 for every subsequent kilometer.
- Auto rickshaws are not very popular way of traveling around but are readily available at the main stands. The drivers don't use meters so do negotiate the price in advance.
- Cycle rickshaws are convenient transport for short distances that are too long for walking. These three-wheeled pedalled rickshaws can be found almost anywhere but make sure to bargain the price before taking one of them.
- Cars are the preferable means of transport among the local people since the roads in Chandigarh are well-maintained and there are ample parking lots available. It is possible to hire a car for reasonable prices.
HISTORY
The modern history of Chandigarh began in 1947 after British India was divided into India and Pakistan. It was decided by the authorities to build a brand new city to serve as the capital of two states of India - Punjab and Haryana. Two architects prepared the plans of the city's layout, one of whom was French and the other - American. It was not until the death of the American architect, however, that the initiation of the plan took place. Le Corbusier was the chief executive of its realization in 1950s. The Prime Minister of Independent India declared that the new city should be modern looking with none a hint of the past, thus proclaiming his foreseeing a brighter future. Indeed, Chandigarh is a fashionable place, renown for its beauty and unlike many other Indian cities.
CITY LINKS
- The Tribune, A Daily Newspaper in English: http://www.tribuneindia.com/
- Interesting Places in Chandigarh: http://www.indiatravelite.com/chandigarh/chandisightseeing.htm
- Useful Tips: http://wikitravel.org/en/Chandigarh
UNIVERSITY LINKS
- Shaheed Udham Singh College Of Engineering & Technology (SUSCET), Tangori(Mohali): http://www.suscet.ac.in/
- MCM DAV College for Women: http://www.mcmdavcw-chd.edu/
- DAV College: http://www.davchd.com/