Chandigarh is the best-planned city in India, with architecture which is world-renowned, and a quality of life, which is unparalleled. As the capital of the states of Punjab and Haryana, and the Union Territory of Chandigarh it is a prestigious city. The face of modern India, Chandigarh, is the manifestation of a dream that Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru envisaged and Le Corbusier executed.

1. CHANDIGARH
THE CITY BEAUTIFUL
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2. LOCATION

3. FACTS ABOUT CHANDIGARH
Union Territory: Chandigarh
Capital: Chandigarh
Language: Punjabi
Area: 114 km2
Territory Area Rank: 33
Elevation: 350 m
Population Density: 8400 per km2
Website: chandigarh.nic.in

4. “ THE CITY BEAUTIFUL ”
 Chandigarh is the best-planned city in
India, with architecture which is world-
renowned, and a quality of life, which is
unparalleled. As the capital of the states
of Punjab and Haryana, and the Union
Territory of Chandigarh it is a prestigious
city. The face of modern India,
Chandigarh, is the manifestation of a
dream that Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru
envisaged and Le Corbusier executed.
 Serenity and a city are two diametrically
opposite concepts, which however, get
belied in the 'City Beautiful'. It is here
that the trees and plants are as much a
part of the construction plans as the
buildings and the roads. India’s first
planned city, is a rich, prosperous, green
city rightly called “THE CITY
BEAUTIFUL”.

5. HERITAGE

6. THE ARCHITECTURE
Chandigarh is one of the most significant
urban planning experiments of the 20th
century. It is the only one of the numerous
urban planning schemes of Le Corbusier, the
famous French architect-planner, to have
actually been executed. Le Corbusier summed
up his work on the city in an "edict", a few
points summarized here:
• The city of Chandigarh is planned to
human scale. Here the radiance of nature
and heart are within our reach.
• This city is composed of sectors. Each
sector is 800 meters by 1,200 meters,
enclosed by roads allocated to fast
mechanized transport and sealed to
direct access from the houses.
• The central plaza in Sector 17 was
designed by Le Corbusier as "Pedestrian's
Paradise". No vehicular traffic will be
permitted in the plaza.
• No personal statues shall be erected in
the city or parks of Chandigarh. The city
is planned to breathe the new
sublimated spirit of art.

7. LE CORBUSIER CENTRE
 The Le Corbusier Centre was set up
on October 6, 2008 on the occasion of
the 121st birth centenary of Le
Corbusier, to commemorate and
preserve the work and legacy of Le
Corbusier with specific reference to the
modern architectural Heritage of
Chandigarh.
 The Centre displays and exhibits the life
and works of Le Corbusier, so that
tourists and future generations may be
able to acquaint themselves with the
rich cultural heritage of the city. Le
Corbusier Centre comprises of four
sections:
1. Museum & display gallery,
2. Research, publication, archival and
digital library,
3. Administration and
4. Souvenir Shop.

8. CAPITOL COMPLEX
 The Capitol Complex is Le
Corbusier’s most spectacular work.
The magnificent edifices, set
against the Shivalik peaks, stand
“as massive concrete sculptures,
representing the monumental
character authority that the
complex represents. It is the seat of
the government of the States of
Punjab and Haryana. It comprises
three epoch-making master-pieces:
the Secretariat, the High Court and
the Legislative Assembly. Separated
by large piazzas, the subtle and
most evocative grouping of these
buildings is of breath-taking
beauty.
 And in the centre stands the giant
metallic sculpture of The Open
Hand, the official emblem of
Chandigarh, signifying the city’s
credo of ‘open to give’, ‘open to
receive’.

9. PINJORE GARDEN
• Pinjore Gardens (also known as Pinjor
Gardens or Yadavindra Gardens) is
located in Pinjore, Panchkula district in
the Indian state of Haryana. It is an
example of the Mughal Gardens style, and
was built by Patiala Dynasty Rulers.
• The garden has been laid in seven terraces
with the main gate of the garden opening
into the highest first terrace which has a
palace built in Rajasthani–Mughal style. It
is called the “Shish Mahal” (palace of
glass), which is adjoined by a romantic
"Hawa Mahal" (airy Palace). The second
terrace with arched doorways has the
"Rang Mahal" (painted palace). The third
terrace has cypress trees and flowerbeds
leading to dense groves of fruit trees. The
next terrace has the "Jal Mahal" (palace of
water) with a square fountain bed and a
platform to relax. Fountains and tree
groves are provided in the next terrace. The
lowermost terrace has an open-air theatre,
which is designed as a disc-like structure.

10. ROMANCE

11. ROCK GARDEN
 Chandigarh has the distinction of
having a unique world acclaimed Rock
Garden. It consist of art object,
fashioned from industrial and urban
waste. It nestles amidst 20acres of
woods in the form of an open air
exhibition hall, theatre trove and a
miniature maze all rolled into one vast
fantasy land of art and landscape. It is
without doubt, a tourist spot that is a
must on the itinerary of visitor to
Chandigarh.
 The layout of the garden is based on the
fantasy of a lost kingdom. The moment
one enters the garden, the small
entrance doors which make the head
bow, not only creates an ambience of
royal, but also impart humbleness. One
has to pass through a verity of doorways,
archways, vestibules, streets and lanes
of different scales and dimensions, each
one opening into a new array of display
or courtyards and chambers lending an
air of suspense and curiosity at every
corner, at every turn.

12. ROSE GARDEN
Zakir Hussain Rose Garden
Asia's largest Rose Garden
and is spread over 30 acres
of land having over 1600
different species or roses.
These have been planted
beautifully carved out lawns
and flowers beds. Every
year, either at the end of
February or beginning of
March, a big festival known
as Rose Festival, is
celebrated at this garden.
There are lots of
competitions, cultural
celebrations and many
other events. It is indeed a
beautiful and a pleasant
place to visit.

13. LEISURE VALLEY
• A continuum of various theme gardens to
take care of the body and spirit of the
city. Le Corbusier retained the eroded
valley of a seasonal rivulet on the original
site of the City and sculptured it into a
Linear park now over 8km long .It
starts from Sector 1 in the north and
leaves Chandigarh at its southern most
edge in sector 53.
• RAJENDRA PARK, Sector 1 - The
Leisure Valley starts from the Rajendra
Park. The park is a vast stretch of land of
about 400 acres abutting the Secretariat
building on its eastern side. Le Corbusier
himself designed the landscape scheme
of this park .Trees with round canopies
and evergreen foliage have been planted
here.

14. LEISURE VALLEY
• SMRITI UPAVAN, Sector 1 - This
space has been set aside to allow
people to plant trees in the memory
of the departed. This is a garden
where every tree commemorate
someone who is no more. It was
formally inaugurated on 14.11.1998
by planting a banyan tree in the
memory of the first Prime Minister
of India, Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru.
• BOUGAINVILLEA GARDEN,
Sector-3 - It spreads over an area of
20 acres. The natural choe running
through the valley starts from here.
The garden is devoted to hundreds
of varieties of bougainvillea.

15. LEISURE VALLEY
• FITNESS TRAILS, Sector 10 -
The Physical Fitness Trails have
been developed with a view to
enjoying physical exercises
amidst the beauty of Nature. It is
an ideal place for long walks and
physical workouts.
• BOTANICAL GARDEN, Sector
14 - There are two Botanical
Gardens in the city – one between
Rock Garden and lake and the
other in Punjab University.
Another Botanical Garden is
being developed to about 110
acres of land in Sarangpur.

16. LEISURE VALLEY
• SHANTI KUNJ, Sector16 - Shanti
Kunj is situated between Rose
Garden and Cricket in Sector 16. This
is a completely noise-free area with
natural undulations. The natural
stream running through this garden
divides the park into five areas. The
five parts of the garden depict
different kinds of trees such as
medicinal plants, vertical shaped
trees, flowering trees, trees for shade
and environmentally suitable areas.
• TERRACED GARDEN, Sector 33 - A
small valley running through the
length of the sector has been
developed into a Terraced Garden. Its
main attraction is an illuminated
musical fountain.

17. LEISURE VALLEY
• TOPIARY PARK, Sector 35 - It was
opened to the public in 1987. Many
animal shapes created out of
creepers and bushes attract children
to this park. A large variety of
ornamental plants add to the park’s
charm.
• HIBISCUS GARDEN, Sector 36 - It
covers an area of 8 acres and about
40 different varieties of Hibiscus
shrubs have been planted to provide
color throughout the year.
• GARDEN OF FRAGRANCE, Sector
36 - Situated to the south of the
Hibiscus Garden, it is very popular
for different varieties of aromatic
and fragrant plants. The flower
plants like Raat ki Rani, Motia,
varieties of Jasmine, Demask Rose
and many others cast a pervading
aroma in this part of the Leisure
Valley.

18. SUKHNA LAKE
Sukhna Lake is an artificial lake at the
foothills of the Himalayas, the Shivalik
Hills. This 3 km² rain fed lake was
created in 1958 by damming the Sukhna
Choe, a seasonal stream coming down
from the Shivalik Hills. The creation of
the lake was one of the greatest gifts
from Le Corbusier and the Chief
Engineer P L Verma to the city
of Chandigarh. To preserve its
tranquility Corbusier insisted that it be
forbidden to motor boats and the top of
the dam (promenade) prohibited to
vehicular traffic. The lake is fringed by a
golf course to the south, and Nek
Chand’s famous Rock Garden of
Chandigarh to its west. Sukhna is a
sanctuary for many exotic migratory
birds like the Siberian duck, Storks and
Cranes, during the winter months.

20. FORESTS
 Kansal & Nepli : Chandigarh has
3245 hectares under forest and
most of it is hilly. The forest areas
are mostly around Sukhna Lake,
Sukhna Choe and Patiala ki Rao.
Near village Kansal on the
outskirts of Chandigarh towards
the hills is a reserve forest. At a
short distance from Kansal forest
is located another reserve forest
known as Nepli. Nepli is a bit
more wild than Kansal.
 Forest Trek : There are excellent
places for trekking in the hills
near Chandigarh. Most of these
routes are in Himachal Pradesh
and Haryana. Some of the
prominent trekking routes are :
Kalka to Kasauli ( 15km)
Jabali to Kasauli (6 km)
Morni to Tikar Tal (7km)
Morni to Ghagar River (4km)
Kasauli to Sabathu (13km)

21. CHHATBIR ZOO
Also known as the Mahendra
Chaudhary Zoological Park, Chhatbir
zoo, the distinguished zoological
garden is located at a distance of 17
km from Chandigarh and 55 km from
Patiala. The zoo sprawls across an
expanse of 202 acres against a
stunning green backdrop.
The main attraction of the Chhatbir
zoo Chandigarh is the Royal Bengal
Tiger, which has developed into the
perfect point of interest for visiting the
zoo. Visitors are taken in a caged
motor vehicle to the tiger’s refuge to
savor its attractions. While traveling
inside the tiger’s refuge, the visitors
can enjoy close ups of this magnificent
animal.

22. HILL STATIONS

23. KAUSANI HILL STATION
• One of the most beautiful hill resorts
near Nainital, Kausani is one of the
most scenic places which is every
tourist's dream destination. Far away
from the fast paced life of the
scorched plains, Kausani is the
idyllic retreat for all you nature
lovers, who wish to spend a few days
in the lap of nature.
• Nestled in the Kumaoun Himalayas,
Kausani in Uttaranchal is the nearest
hill station to Chandigarh. Located
at a height of 1890 meters above the
sea level, Kausani is surrounded by
lush acres of greenery and dense
woodlands.
• During 1929, Mahatma Gandhi spent
a few days in Kausani and to
commemorate his memory, the
Gandhi Ashram has been built here.

24. SOME OTHER PLACES TO SEE
 Sector 17 Plaza : One of the most
important places to visit is Sector 17,
Chandigarh's sleek shopping area
and the city centre. Planned around
four pedestrian concourses meeting
at a central chowk (intersection), the
Sector 17 of Chandigarh is a
pedestrian's paradise dotted with
fountains, sculptures, and groves of
trees.
 Government Museum and Art
Gallery
 Museum of Evolution of Life
 The Hidden Valley : The Hidden
Valley is an Ecotourism camping
adventure site in the Shivalik
Foothills. It is located near the
famous Mata Jainti Devi Temple in
Village Jainti Majri, Punjab.
A great experience of raw nature &
countryside life and a good break
from the routine city life!!

26. BAISAKHI FESTIVAL
• Baisakhi festival has a lot of
significance for people of Punjab.
It marks the beginning of harvest
season. It also celebrates the
founding of Khalsa panth.
According to the solar
calendar, this festivity of
merriment falls on the first day of
the Year, which is usually 14th
April. Baisakhi festival in
Chandigarh, India is celebrated
with lot of excitement and
cheerfulness. Men and women
dress up in the best of their
clothing and visit temples and
Gurudwaras to offer prayers.
Special food is prepared at home.
Folk dances are performed.
Chandigarh Baisakhi festival
celebration takes place with great
pomp and show.

27. CHANDIGARH CARNIVAL
• Chandigarh carnival is a three day long
mega event that is held every year in
the month of November. It is usually
hosted at the Leisure valley in Sector
10. It is organized by the Chandigarh
administration to promote creativity
and talent of the citizens of
Chandigarh and adjoining places.
Carnival of Chandigarh is celebrated
with fun and frolic. It provides a
platform, especially to children and
senior citizens, to come forward and
exhibit their talent. It gives a boost to
talented people. Various competitions
are conducted for senior citizens like
painting and clay modeling etc. Pick
and drop facilities are provided to
senior citizens, so that they do not
have to face any kind of inconvenience.
This event definitely deserves a
mention, when the talk is about the
popular fairs and festivals of
Chandigarh.

28. CHRYSANTHEMUMS SHOW
• Chrysanthemums Show in
Chandigarh, India is a very
famous flower show that is
hosted every year at the
Terraced garden in Sector 33.
This fair is usually held in the
month of December. In the
Chandigarh Chrysanthemums
flower show; you can find
distinctive varieties of flowers.
As a part of this show, various
competitions are conducted
regarding gardening, in which
many city gardeners participate.
Chrysanthemums Show has
been drawing more and more
crowds each year. This flower
show has been increasingly
gaining momentum.

29. MANGO FESTIVAL
• The name mango festival is
suggestive of the fact that it is a
festivity of mangoes. Mango festival
in Chandigarh is celebrated with
splendid grandeur. It gives a
platform to all mango growers of
our country to display their
varieties. Also, the agricultural
universities participate and exhibit
the latest hybrids of this fruit.
Chandigarh mango festival takes
place in the month of June &
Pinjore garden usually serves as the
venue. This festivity cum fair gives a
fabulous opportunity to the food
industries that process mango into
jams, pickles and canned fruit, to
showcase their products. This fair is
drawing more and more crowds
every year.

31. TRADITIONAL FOODS
• Vegetarian Dishes
Sarson ka Saag (curry of mustard
leaves), Dal Makhani/ Dal Handi
(curry of pulses), Choley
(generally eaten with Naan),
Punj Ratani Dal (a mixture of 5
lentils), Kadhai Paneer, Shahi
Paneer, and Sheer Korma.
• Non-vegetarian Dishes
Tandoori Chicken, Butter
Chicken, Bhuna Ghosht (Dish
made of lamb), Kebab, Amritsari
Fish, Tandoori Fish, Fish Tikka,
Chicken Biriyani, Lamb Biriyani,
Keema Naans, Reshmi Tikka,
Malai Tikka, and Pork Pickle.

32. TRADITIONAL FOODS
• Bread & Flour Preparations
There are also a variety of bread and
flour preparations consumed in
Chandigarh. Some of them are Naan,
Tandoori Roti, Kulcha, Lachha Paratha,
Phulka or Chapatti, Aloo Paratha, Mooli
Paratha, Poori, and Bhatoora.
• Sweet Dishes
Several sweet items are made by the
people of Chandigarh, to titillate the
taste buds. The most popular and
distinctive among them is Roh Di Kheer,
prepared by cooking rice in sugarcane
juice. Some other popular desserts of
the area are baalushahi, jalebi and
malpua. Don’t forget to taste all of them
while touring Chandigarh.

34. THINGS TO BUY
o Phulkari -Phulkari, a type of craft that
involves simple embroidery works with
great finishing touch is very popular in
Chandigarh. Many showrooms and
emporiums lined up in this city sells a
wide range of phulkari products ranging
from cushion
covers, handkerchiefs, textiles, shawls, d
upattas, carpets, furniture, etc. The best
place to buy traditional phulkari items
is from Phulkari Punjab Government
Emporium that is nestled in Sector 17.
o Punjbai Dupattas - Punjabi dupatta, a
kind of long scarf that every girl of
Chandigarh proudly wears and flaunts
in style is the cynosure for all women
tourists. Every shop in Chandigarh is
filled with heaps of colorful duppatas
that can be purchased by shelling out a
reasonable amount of money. A
particular shop called Sparsh
Collections is the best place to step in to
take a look at the stoles, duppatas and
Punjabi designer suits.

35. THINGS TO BUY
o Juttis - Jutti, the traditional footwear of
Punjab is another wonderful souvenir
that can be bought from this beautiful
city. These kinds of footwear are not just
comfortable and elegant but also make a
person look fashionable. Some of the
popular ones are style jutti, King
wedding jutti, punch zari khausa
jutti, embroidery jutti and lots more.
R.S. Apparels situated in Manimajra and
Pal Footwear situated near Janta Market
are the good places to buy footwear from
Chandigarh.
o Handlooms And Artifacts - To shop for
handloom products and
artifacts, emporiums are the best bet.
Gujarat Handlooms & Handicrafts
Emporium situated in Dakshin
Marg, Sector 20 D is the best place to
stop over and check out the wide range
of handicrafts collection. The wooden
carved boxes, statues of Lord
Ganesha, sofa covers with Phulkari works
are the top picks here.

36. HOW TO REACH
o By Air : The airport is 11 km from downtown. Taxis are available for
Airport transfer. Indian Airlines, Jet Airways and Air Deccan connects
Chandigarh with New Delhi the National Capital.
o By Rail : Chandigarh is linked with New Delhi, the National Capital
by Rail. The Chandigarh Railway Station is 8 Kms from the city centre
in Sector 17. The twice daily Shatabdi, Jan Shatabdi and Himalayan
Queen connects New Delhi and Chandigarh. Paschim Express
connects the city to Mumbai, Sadbhavna to Lucknow, Kerala Sampark
Kranti to Kerala and Chennai Express to Chennai.
o By Road : Chandigarh is well connected by road and buses provide
an important transport link. There are services from various states such
as- Haryana, Punjab, Himachal, and Delhi. It is a gateway to Himachal
Pradesh as one can reach hill stations like Kasauli, Chail, Shimla etc
within in a few hours drive.

37. Deep Roots Retreat
The Deep Roots Retreat is a well-
appointed and secluded working farm
set amidst the Punjab Countryside,
just 26 km away from Chandigarh.
Nestled amidst, 25 acres of farmland
with a fair measure of Mango and
Guava trees, the retreat offers an
environment so tranquil and serene
that staying here will be a rejuvenating
break for you.
The mango orchard is home to the
peacocks, their enchanting calls adds
to the ambiance.
Our Tours provide you a glimpse of
the history of Punjab and take you
back to an era when brave, honest and
pious men built the territory which
we now call the Punjab.