Chandigarh ( Punjab )

Chandigarh, the dream city of India's first Prime Minister, Sh. Jawahar Lal Nehru, was planned by the famous French architect Le Corbusier. Picturesquely located at the foothills of Shivaliks, it is known as one of the best experiments in urban planning and modern architecture in the twentieth century in India.

Chandigarh derives its name from the temple of "Chandi Mandir" located in the vicinity of the site selected for the city. The deity 'Chandi', the goddess of power and a fort of 'garh' laying beyond the temple gave the city its name "Chandigarh-The City Beautiful".

The city has a pre-historic past. The gently sloping plains on which modern Chandigarh exists, was in the ancient past, a wide lake ringed by a marsh. The fossil remains found at the site indicate a large variety of aquatic and amphibian life, which was supported by that environment. About 8000 years ago the area was also known to be a home to the Harappans.

Since the medieval through modern era, the area was part of the large and prosperous Punjab Province which was divided into East & West Punjab during partition of the country in 1947. The city was conceived not only to serve as the capital of East Punjab, but also to resettle thousands of refugees who had been uprooted from West Punjab.

In March, 1948, the Government of Punjab, in consultation with the Government of India, approved the area of the foothills of the Shivaliks as the site for the new capital. The location of the city site was a part of the erstwhile Ambala district as per the 1892-93 gazetteer of District Ambala. The foundation stone of the city was laid in 1952. Subsequently, at the time of reorganization of the state on 01.11.1966 into Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pardesh, the city assumed the unique distinction of being the capital city of both, Punjab and Haryana while it itself was declared as a Union Territory and under the direct control of the Central Government.

Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, Independent India’s first Prime Minister, laid down the founding principles of the new city when he said “Let this be a new town, symbolic of freedom of India unfettered by the traditions of the past….. an expressions of the nation’s faith in the future”. The city is a product of Nehru’s vision.

Fact File

 Geographical and Demographic Profile of Chandigarh 

Area	114 sq kms
Longitude	760 47' 14E
Latitude	300 44' 14N
Altitude	304-365 meters above MSL with 1% drainage gradient
Annual Rainfall (average)	1110.7 mm
Monsoon	July-September
Temperature	Winter Min. (Nov.-Jan, 2006) 10 C-160 C Summer Max. (April-July, 2004) 270C-440C
Prevalent Winds	From the North West to South East in Winter and reverse in Summer
Total Population (2001 census)	9,00,635 (Rural population-92120 (10.2%) (Urban population-808515 (89.8%)
Density of population/sq. km.	7,900
Le Corbusier's Master Plan The Master plan prepared by Le Corbusier was broadly similar to the one prepared by the team of planners led by Albert Mayer and Mathew Novicki except that the shape of the city plan was modified from one with a curving road network to rectangular shape with a grid iron pattern for the fast traffic roads, besides reducing its area for reason of economy. The city plan was conceived as post war ‘Garden City’ wherein vertical and high rise buildings were ruled out, keeping in view the socio economic-conditions and living habits of the people.
Best Attractions in Chandigarh 1. Rock Garden The name refers to a sculpture garden located near Sukhna Lake. The Rock garden is also known by the name Nek Chand’s Rock Garden after its founder. Nek Chand was a former government official who started cultivating this garden secretly in his spare time. He kept it hidden from the government authorities for 18 years, till 1975. The garden features several interlinked causeways that run along the waterfalls of the Sukhna Lake and is landscaped with pottery and sculptures of dancers, animals and musicians. 2. Rose Garden Spread over 30 acres the Zakir Hussain Rose Garden is the largest botanical garden in Asia that is dedicated to roses. The garden is named after Zakir Hussain the former President of India. Apart from roses the garden also features several verities of medicinal herbs. 3. Pinjore Garden Also known as the Yadavindra Gardens, the Pinjore gardens were created by a Nawab under the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb. The garden was expanded and reconstructed by the Maharaja Yadavindra of the State of Patiala. The garden houses several palatial structures that display a distinct blend of the Rajasthani and Mughal styles of architecture. Pinjore 4. International Dolls Museum The Dolls museum of Chandigarh contains dolls and puppets from over 25 different countries. The museum was established in 1985 and is managed by the Indian council of Child welfare. The prime attraction of the museum is the Indian section and the toy train. 5. Terraced Garden A perfect picnic spot, the Terraced garden is spread around an area of 10 acres and is a well maintained botanical garden at the foothills of the Himalayan Shivalik Range. The Garden was established in 1979 and is best visited during the evening hours to experience the cool breeze and tranquil environment. 6. Le Corbusier Centre The office was named after and used by the Swiss-French architect Le Corbusier. Le Corbusier used the building as his office during the time he was commissioned to plan the city of Chandigarh. The center has now been converted into a museum dedicated to the architect and displays the life and times of Le Corbusier. 7. ChattBir Zoo Also known as the Mahendra Chaudhry Zoological Park, the zoo houses a huge number of exotic and wild animals, birds and reptiles. The thing to watch out for at this zoo is the famous lion safari. 8. Cactus Gardens The largest succulent botanical garden in Asia, the Cactus garden covers an area of 7 acres. The garden features more than 3500 different species of cacti and was established in 1987. The garden attracts a huge number of tourists and botanists each year 9. Museum and Art Gallery The massive art Gallery is located in sector 10 and is one of the most interesting places in Chandigarh. The museum contains antiquities from the Indus valley civilization to different paintings and coins from the ancient and historical times. The gallery also contains the dinosaur fossils which were excavated in the region. 10. Mohali Cricket Stadium The home of the IPL team Kings XI Punjab, the Mohali cricket stadium is the seat of the Punjab Cricket Association. The stadium was established in 1993 and took 3 years to complete. The stadium has been a venue to many local and international matches in India and has been a favorite venue of the cricket fans in India. The first planned city of post independence India, Chandigarh is frequented by thousands of tourists each year. The plethora of gardens and picnic spots, along with the clean and cool surroundings the city of Chandigarh is a must visit for every tourist who plants to visit India. Food And Cuisines In Chandigarh No doubt one of the top rated and most visiting restaurants of Barbeque Nation chain for dining in Chandigarh. The best thing about Barbeque Nation is that you can enjoy unlimited barbecue starters with veg and non-veg dinner with the live music & dance performance by restaurant staff. You may also expect free cocktail/mocktails/beer in lunch (but not on weekends . One more thing that is very exciting about Barbeque Nation is that you can grill your snacks yourself. So it can be good time to know your cooking skilll…just kidding  You have both options, either you can grill or you can order for it. But don’t focus only on snacks, they have large range of veg and non-veg course with delicious mouth watering recipes. So, plan a day, visit there & try these. I bet you will not be disappointed. Address: SCO 39, Madhya Marg, Sector 26, Chandigarh Backpackers Cafe Without doubt, Backpackers is the best option for superior breakfast with wide range of continental & local foods. You can taste there verities of fast foods, soft drinks, non-veg dishes, grill items, soups, snacks, salads  and a perfect cup of tea or coffee with your family, friends, or loving one. There is enough area to sit together and take breakfast with pleasant feeling. But this place is expensive too, so you may have to pay one thousand rupees for two onwards for one time breakfast. Address: SCF- 16, 9D, Sector 9, Chandigarh Sindhi Sweets Located in Sector 17-C, Sindhi Sweets is the hub of delicious traditional desserts, varieties of ice-creams & shakes, spicy chaat & Indian cuisine, local desi snacks, and must go restaurant to eat south Indian & Chinese foods in Chandigarh. So, if you’re looking for a good food place near sector-17 market with the premium quality and varieties of cuisine, then Sindhi Sweets is the top recombination from my side. But don’t expect any non-veg recipe, it offers only veg foods. Address: S.C.O. 108-111, Shopping Plaza, Sector 17-C, Chandigarh Gopal's Sweets However Gopal’s originally located in Patiala which is well known for its quality now has opened up in sector 8 Chandigarh with fully decorated and wooden interior. It is sweet shop cum vegetarian restaurant which offers desserts to namkeen, traditional spicy chaat to cold ice-cream, pizzas to cakes & snacks, Chinese to south Indian and others continental’s famous dishes. Gopal’s is the best option for lunch and dinner both especially if you are going with your family. Address: SCO 20-21, Madhya Marg, Sector 8-C, Chandigarh Address: SCO 459 – 460, Sector 35 C, Chandigarh Address: SCO 64 – 65, Sector 15 D, Chandigarh Pal Dhaba There is no doubt Pal Dhaba is the first choice of Punjabi food lovers and the best Dhaba for eating out in Chandigarh. Dhaba accommodation is not such fancy, but the food offers by Pal Dhaba is just delicious and unbeaten.  If you’re vegetarian then options are limited, but if you are hard core lover of oily, spicy, fried and buttery non-veg foods, there are endless recipes of chicken and mutton. Tandoori chicken, butter chicken, butter keema kaleji, mutton and chicken curries are the must try food items of Pal Dhaba. This is most preferred place for those who just love to eat mouthwatering non veg dishes and not bothered about the crowd. Nightlife In Chandigarh 1. Kava  Info : Sector 26 , North Indian / European / Continental. Cost for Two 1800 INR. 2. Hops And Grains Info : Sector 9 , North Indian Cost for Two 1500 INR. 3. Whisky 111  Info : Sector 35 . Bar Food Cost for Two 2500 INR 4. Girl In The Cafe Info : Sector 17 , Italian Cost for Two 1500 INR. Elate Mall Elante Mall is a shopping mall in the city of Chandigarh in India. Chandigarh College of Engineering and Technology Chandigarh College of Engineering and Technology (CCET) is under the administrative control of the Chandigarh Administration and is affiliated to Punjab University for its degree courses and Punjab State Board of Technical Education for its Diploma courses. Chandigarh College of Engineering and Technology, Chandigarh(CCET), formerly known as Central Polytechnic Chandigarh (CPC), was established in 1959 (which offered Diploma Courses in Engineering). To cater to the aspiration and ambition of exponentially growing population of Chandigarh, the Chandigarh Administration upgraded CPC to CCET by starting the Degree Wing and by introducing two branches of Bachelor of Engineering in Computer Science Engineering and Electronics and Electrical Communication in the year 2002. At that point of time, the degree wing was under construction. Therefore, the classes for the first batch were held in PEC. In 2004, the wing was completed and the CSE and EECE branches were officially commenced. In the year 2006-2007 two new courses in the discipline of Civil Engineering and Mechanical Engineering were started with 20 students each(the number being raised to 60 in 2009). The foundation stone for Block B of degree wing was laid in 2008 with the construction beginning in 2010. Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research Helpline : PGI :- Emergency : 2747585 Reception : 2746018, 2756565 Govt. Medical College Hospital :- Emergency : 2665253-60 Chandigarh Police :- Sector 3 (North) : 2740254 Sector 17 (Central) : 2773951 Sector 26 (East) : 2790594 Sector 34 : 2662697 Sector 36 : 2662995 Industrial Area : 2657344 Police Control Room : 2749194, 100 Women & Child Helpline : 1091, 2705011 CBI Control Room : 2657102 Crime Stopper Cell : 2544444 Public window : 2741900 Police Post, (Railway Station) : 2654766 Police Post, PGI : 2744262 Fire Stations :- Sector 11 : 2747820 Sector 38 : 2690523 Fire Brigade, Sec 17 : 2702333, 101 Railways :- Enquiry : 2653131 Station Supdtt : 2658924 Railway Station : 2641651 Roadways :- Chandigarh Transport Undertaking : 2700006 Punjab Roadways : 2704023 PRTC Enquiry : 2624543 Haryana Roadways : 2704014 Himachal Roadways : 2722625 Airlines :- Sr. Aerodrome Officer : 5056401, 5056422 Flight Enquiry : 2656029, 2705062 Airport (Civil) : 5056431, 5074365. Contact us on Facebook