Chandigarh

Covering an area of 56 square kilometres, Chandigarh is the first 'planned' city of India designed by the French architect Le Corbusier. The city has neatly laid out roads, parks, buildings, boulevards and streets lined by endless rows of trees and shrubs. The city is named after the Goddess Chandi Devi, whose white - domed temple stands on the slope of a hill in the north east of Chandigarh, on the edge of the Shivalik hills. Spread over an area of 114 sq. kms, it is a modern city, built in 47 sectors.

How to reach: Indian Airlines connects Chandigarh with Delhi and Leh. Well linked by rail with Mumbai, Delhi, Kalka and other major cities in India. Can easily be approached by road. Amritsar-264 kms, Dehradun-230 kms, Delhi-248 kms, Shimla-117 kms, Kullu-273 kms, Bhakra-116 kms, Kasauli-77 kms, Jammu-380 kms.

Where to stay: Hotel Shivalik View, Mount View, Hotel Piccadily, Maya Palace, Sun Beam, Rikhy's international, Kapil, President, Pankaj.

What to see: Sukhna Lake, Rose Garden and the Rock Garden, Capitol Complex, Leisure Valley, Bougainvillea Park, Shanti Kunj, Terraced Garden, Topiary Park, Museum Complex, Government Museum & Art Gallery, City Museum.

Excursions: Yadavindra Gardens at Pinjore and Morni Hill (45 kms)

[ Back ] [ Tourism of India ] [ Up ]