North
India Travel Guide
Chandigarh Tourism
Serenity and a city are
two diametrically opposite concepts, which however, get belied in the 'City Beautiful'.
Chandigarh is a rare epitome of modernization co-existing with nature's preservation.
It is here that the trees and plants are as much a part of the construction plans
as the buildings and the roads.
Thanks to the creative genius of Le Corbusier,
the city retains its inherent character even today, as conceived by him in his
Master Plan. Corbusier's architectural ingenuity endowed with uniform and standardized
structure designs. Wide roads, sector wise divisions, tree-lined avenues, land
scaping and a wide piazza, lends the city a special character and a unique orderliness.
The grid-iron plank forms the basis of the tranquil ambience that pervades
the city.
The sector neighbourhoods with their self sufficient markets
and other infrastructural facilities, contain activities within their bounds.
The segregated traffic system reduces the noise pollution. Each house has its
own share of nature's bounty with verdant open spaces, play - grounds and mini
front lawns.
Numerous picturesque spots dotting the city enable its residents
and the visitors to get away from the daily grind and tensions and to merge with
nature. Whether it is a morning or an evening walk through the salubrious Rose
Garden, Shanti Kunj the Leisure Valley, the Lake, the tree lined avenues or the
open Piazza, all provide an invigorating experience.
The City Centre-or
'Seventeen', as it is popularly called, offers an organized arrangement of square
building blocks and open spaces. The Piazza livens up in the afternoon with the
office crowds out to recharge themselves. In the evenings shoppers and tourists,
enjoying an icecream or popcorns, sit on the steps of the "dove of peace"
sput, where water cascades down from one level to another in geometrically shaped
tanks, amidst the delightful play of colourful lights.
The Leisure Valley,
the Fitness Trails, the Botanical and terraced gardens, the hibiscus and topiary
parks and other gardens along the green belt, that pass through the city, offer
a quiet retreat at all hours of the day, orchestrating life's subtler impulses
and heightening the spiritual experience and contribute to its serene character.
Even a drive through the city is a lively experience with its pleasant
sites, green rolling belts, attractively designed facades of residential areas,
the landscaped roundabouts with their own structural elements, and floral layouts
and, of course, the majestic view of the Shivalik hill range.
No wonder
the residents of Chandigarh are so attuned to quality of life, that this city
has to offer, that they find their short forays to other metros a night - marish
experince.
For its residents, Chandigarh is the most lovable city to live
in and is a near addiction. The visitors view it as their most cherished experience,
where one can lose oneself in its sauve serenity and gain spiritual insight.
Places
of Interest of ChandigarhSukhna LakeA manmade lake spread
over 3 square kilometers on the northern border of the city. At the entrance to
the park one reads Corbusier's Edict of the Lake."The founders of Chandigarh
have offered this lake and dam to the citizens of the new city so that they may
escape the humdrum of the city life and enjoy the beauty of nature in peace and
silence".
The tree-shaded promenade around the lake is a favorite
spot to stroll and enjoy the tranquil ambience. Paddle-boats and yachting are
another pleasant diversion....or one may simply relax at the cafe run by the Chandigarh
Tourism Development Corporation.
The lake and its heavily wooded shores
constitute a nationally protected wetland. This is a favorite spot for bird watchers.
From December through February, aside from scores of local species, one can see
many species of aquatic birds from Central Asia and Siberia that find the lake
a pleasant place to pass the winter. The lake also has a full length water course,
developed in 1989 when the city hosted the 1989 Asia Rowing Championship.
Leisure
ValleyLeisure Valley runs through the entire length of the city, 8 kms
long, about 400 metres broad at its widest points, oriented north-east to south-west
following the course of an existing seasonal stream.
Sections of Leisure Valley
are known by the following separate names.
Bougainvillea Garden Open
on all days. 20 acres, Sector 10
The garden is devoted to hundreds of bougainvillea
varieties. The creepers cover a wide assortment of arches, bowers, pavilions and
arcades. Fitness Trails wind through this garden, designed to give each person
who completes the route a complete exercise regimen by the time they reach the
end. The annual Bougainvillea Show is held here.
Government Museum and
Art GalleryAn important building designed by Le Corbusier, in the moving
spirit behind its eventual construction in 1968 was Dr. M.S. Randhawa, Chandigarh's
first Chief Commissioner, and himself an art scholar. Ratna Mathur Fabri, an outstanding
Indian designer made the museum furniture, display screens, showcases and frames.
The present museum (earlier housed in temporary quarters) opened on May
6,1968.In 1949 the collection of the Central Museum, Lahore, was divided between
India and Pakistan. India's share, the core collection of this museum, included
619 Gandhara sculptures and 92 ancient sculptures from other periods, as well
as 447 miniature paintings (mainly from the Punjab Hills but with some Persian,
Mughal and Rajasthani works in addition). Besides there were small collection
of objects in stucco and terra cotta metal, ivory, lacquer, ceramic, enamel and
fabric.
Over the past 40 years more than 9,000 objects have been acquired,
the total number of works now exceeds 10,000. A guide to the museum, a catalogue
of contemporary art, a catalogue of Brahmanical sculptures and series of picture
postcards are on sale in the museum lobby. Art scholars may consult more than
6,000 books and journals in the museum's reference library. All the manuscripts
of Dr. M.S. Randhawa are also preserved here. The museum's documentation section
has an extensive collection of photographs and slides. Documentation of the Gandhara
Collection has been computerised: computerised documentation of other collections
is underway.
Excursion of ChandigarhChhatbir
Zoological Park
(15 Kms. from Chandigarh)
The Zoo spreads over an extensive
wooded area on the banks of the Ghaggar river. This large zoo famous for Lion
safari, apart from star attraction Royal Bengal Tigers.
Anadpur Sahib
(80 Kms. from Chandigarh)
Anadpur sahib, or Takhat Sri Keshgarh, is
one of the four takhats of the Kikh religion. Takhat means "throne"
or seat of temporal power. This historic and impressive gurudwara is highly revered
by the Sikhs. It was here that their tenth guru, Guru Gobind Singh, baptized his
follwers into the Khalsa, the casteless brotherhood of saint soldiers.
Bhakra-Nangal(116
Kms. from Chandigarh)
Bhakra dam, the highest dam of its kind I the world
spans the river Sutlej, its poer houses light up all of North India. The mian
dam at Bhakra in the mountains has a 40 square kilometer reservoir, Gobind Sagar
which has boating facilities and a restaurant.
Amritsar-Nangal(240
Kms. from Chandigarh)
Ths ancient, beautiful and holy city, home to the world
famous Golden Temple, Amritsar (literally, "Pool of Nectar"), was founded
by Guru Ramdas, the fourth guru of the Sikhs, in the year 1579. Amritsar is considered
the most significant seat of Sikh history and culture, as well as a flourishing
trade center.
How to Reach ChandigarhBy
Road: The Union Territory of Chandigarh is well served by an excellent
net work of roads. National highway 21 and 22 are the chief road arteries linking
Chandigarh with the rest of the country. The city is within motorable distance
from a number of popular towns and pilgrimage centers.
By Train: Chandigarh
Railway Station is about 8 kms form the city center in Sector 17. Shatabdi Express
and the Himalayan Queen provide two train connections every day between Chandigarh
and Delhi. Chandigarh Transport Undertaking buses ply to and from the railway
station to coincide with the arrival and departure of both trains.
By
Air: Chadigarh's airport is 11 kms from the City Centre. Airlines connection
with prominent cities.
