CHANDIGARH

Situated at the foothills of Shivalik Hills, Chandigarh the most modern and well planned city of India is considered as Meeca for Architects and town planners. With tree lined open and wide roads, abundance of parks, gardens, lakes, high per capital income, Excellence in human development Index this charming smoke free and clean city of India provides unparalleled high standard quality of life. This romantic city with splendid scenic beauty, clean environments, cosmopolitan outlook and glamorous ambience attracts thousands of tourists though out the year. Further Chandigarh is flanked by two satellite cities – Panchkula & Mohali. All these three cities collectively are popularly referred to as “The Chandigarh Tricity”.

Major Places of Tourist Interest here include the Rock Garden, Sukhna Lake, Mata Mansa Devi Temple, Yadavindra Garden and Chhatbir Zoological Park. Other places of tourist interest are capitol Complex (Legislative Assembly, The Secretariat, High Court, and Open Hand Monument), Rose Garden, Govt. Museum and Art Gallery, International Doll Museum, War Memorial, Leisure Valley, Punjab University and The City Centre etc.

Major Tourist Interest nearby Chandigarh are Anandpur Sahib, Patiala and Kurukshetra.

BEST TIME TO VISIT: Chandigarh has well defined seasons mixed with hot(May to July) and cool climates (December to Feburary). The best time for visiting the place is from october to March.

1. ROCK GARDEN

Located near Sukhna Lake and spread over an area of 40 acres. Rock Garden of Chandigarh is a Sculpture Garden. Completely built of industrial waste, home waste and thrown away items, the Rock Garden has become almost a heritage site. Artists and connoisseurs from all over the world flock to see this unique and amazing creation. The creator of the Rock Garden, Shri Nek Chand who was a Road Inspector in the Engineering Department of Chandigarh Capital Project, is a world renowned figure today. Today Rock garden is one of the most visited and admired tourist attraction of Chandigarh and has become a must visit site.

2. SUKHNA LAKE

Located in Chandigarh Sukhna Lake is a beautiful manmade lake that lies in the foothills of Shivalik range. The total area of 3 km sq has been created by damming the Sukhna Choe, a seasonal stream. The lake is a life line for the people of Chandigarh. They visit this place for the morning walk and enjoy the cool breeze and the beauty of nature. The atmosphere over here is very serene and thus apt for meditating. In the evening Sukhna Lake serves as a great picnic spot and an apt place for pursuing water sport activities like boating, yachting and water skiing etc.

3. MATA MANSA DEVI TEMPLE

Mata Mansa Devi Temple near Manimajra is one of the holiest Hindu temples dedicated to Goddess Mansa Devi, a form of Shakti. Thousands of devotees visit the shrine from various parts of the country, and especially during the Navratra mela, this number rises to lakhs everyday for the nine auspicious days. The temple complex spreading over 100 acres is a well managed temple complex and its environments are presently looked after by Shri Mata Mansa Devi Shrine Board Under the chairmanship of Chief Minister of Haryana.

4. YADAVINDRA GARDEN –PINJORE

The majestic Mughal Gardens on the Chandigarh-Shimla highway are one of the most important attractions of the region. The gardens sprawl over an area of 100 acres and have seven terraces which descend gradually with fountains and pavilions designed in an interesting blend of Mughal and Rajasthani architectural styles. The fountain and light display during weekend evenings as well as the Baisakhi and Mango Festivals held every year here, attracts very large number of visitors.

5. CHHATBIR ZOOLOGICAL PARK

The excellent zoo on the Chandigarh-Patiala road sprawls over an area of about 202 acres on the banks of Ghagghar river and is perhaps the biggest park of its type in India. The Zoo has over 52 species of animals and 62 species of birds in a simulate natural habitat. The Zoo is one of the major tourist attractions of the area specially during weekends. The famous attraction of the park is its “Lion Safari”.

1. ANANDPUR SAHIB

Located on the left bank of river Sutluj and at a distance of 80 kms on Chandigarh – Manali road lies Anandpur Sahib, the sacred Sikh bastion, literally meaning the CITY OF BLISS. On the auspicious day of Baisakhi (13th April 1699), Shri Guru Gobind Singh ji, founded the KHALSA over here. The Magnificent GURUDWARA KESHGARH SAHIB here is regarded as one of the five holy Takhts of Sikh faith. The magnificent location and pictureses mountain range of Naina Devi in its backdrop further enhances the beauty of this major sikh pilgrim centre. Other major attraction of Anandpur Sahib is Virasat-e-Khalsa Museum.

2. PATIALA (70 kms)

The erstwhile capital of one of India’s richest princely states was founded in 1753, by Maharaja Ala Singh and was named Patiala, meaning the territory (Pati) of Ala. Places of tourist interest here include Quila Mubarak, Moti Bagh Palace, (one of the largest residences in Asia), National institute of sports, Sheesh Mahal, Baradari Gardens, Kali Devi Temple and Gurudwara Dukh Niwaran Sahib. Patiala is also popular for its handcrafted jutties, wide-bottomed Patiala Salwar and above all fun loving people.

3. KURUKSHETRA (90 kms)

Revered for its sanctity and rich cultural heritage Kurukshetra is one of the holiest Hindu Pilgrim Center in the country. Millions of pilgrims throng the city during the Solar Eclipse to have a holy dip in the sacred tanks of Brahma Sarovar and Sannehit Sarovar. According to the puranas, Kurukshetra is the site from where Lord Brahma created the universe. The very first verse of Bhagwat Gita describes Kurukshetra as Dharma-Kshetra. Major holy sites and attractions here include The Brahma Sarovar, Sannehit Sarovar, Sri Krishna Museum, Jyotisar, The Gurudwara Sidhbati, Gurudwara Rajghat, etc.