India /Chandigarh /Chandigarh

Chandigarh, the best planned city in the country, is a union territory. Serving as the capital of Haryana as well as Punjab, the city is the perfect example of modernity infused with natural bliss and serenity. Rightly called as ‘The City Beautiful’ some of the most popular attractions in the city are Rock garden, Sukhna Lake, Rose garden and reserve forests of Kansal and Nepali. There are many museums and adventure options of camping and trekking too. Designed by the ace architect Le Corbusier, the architectural pattern of the city is very urban and unique. The gardens and lakes present in the city makes this city a dream of any nature lover.

Quick Facts-Edit

Category : Nature

Time Zone: UTC + 5:30 Hours

Pincode: 1600xx

STD Code: 172

Info Website: chandigarhtourism.gov.in

Best Time to Visit:  September to March.

HistoryEdit

Chandigarh, one of the Union Territories of India is indebted to a Chandi temple and an adjoining fort for its name. The history of Chandigarh is really captivating. Chandi is a goddess of Hindus and Garh means fort. On the vicinity of today’s hustling and bustling city of Chandigarh, one could easily find this ancient temple. However, the city of Chandigarh has a primitive story to tell, a story that was born before the birth of the city. Chandigarh, as you will discover now, is located at the foothills of Shibalik range of Himalayas. The place was a large lake at the antediluvian ages. The fossils of marine creatures and amphibians prove this geological theory. The more fascinating, about 8000 years ago, when human civilization was in its infancy, Chandigarh as place used to be inhabited by the Harappans. Remember that Harappa is one of the oldest civilizations in the world.

Places to VisitAdd 

Chandigarh Sightseeing

How to ReachEdit

By Air : Chandigarh has an international airport which is located just 11km away from the city centre. Indian Airlines connect the city with other major cities like Mumbai , Delhi, Jammu, and Amritsar. Chandigarh international airport : 91-172-2659886.

By Train : Chandigarh is connected by rail to many cities in Punjab, Haryana and also to Delhi. Frequent trains are running between Delhi and Chandigarh (260 km). One can get connection trains to Mumbai, Chennai, Bangalore and Trivandrum (Kochu Veli) from Chandigarh. Chandigarh Railway Station : 2654782.

By BUS : State owned buses connect Chandigarh to all nearest cities in Punjab and Haryana. Deluxe Volvo buses and semi deluxe buses are available from Shimla (110 km), Manali (320 km), New Delhi (260 km) and Dehradun (175 km). Deluxe buses charge Rs 3-4 per kilometer.

By Taxi : Chandigarh is well connected by a road network and National Highways 21 and National Highway 22. The tourist can reach to Chandigarh by taxi. The normal Indian taxi charges of Rupees 8 to 20 will be charged for each km.

By Other : N.A.

Top HotelsAdd

Budget  – Up to Rs. 800

• Hotel City Plaza 3 ; S.C.F. 4, Phase 3-A, Mohali (Behind Petrol Pump), New Furniture Market, Madan Pura Road, Chandigarh 160045. ; Ph – 098 14 709941 ; Facilities – Travel Desk, 24-hour front desk, 24-hour room service, Air conditioning, Laundry, Parking, 24-Hour Security, Doctor on call.

Economy – Up to Rs. 801 to Rs. 1200

• Hotel Akashdeep ; SCO 1124-25(Near Aroma Petrol Pump) Sector 22-B, Chandigarh. ; Ph – 9888891323, 9876193203 ; Facilities – Travel Desk, 24-hour front desk, 24-hour room service, Laundry, Parking, Doctor on call.

Deluxe – Up to Rs. 801 to Rs. 1200

• Aloft Chandigarh ; Ambala Chandigarh National Highway 22 Zirakpur, Chandigarh 140603. ; Ph – 01762 660 555 ; Facilities – Travel Desk, 24-hour front desk, 24-hour room service, Conference facilities, Laundry, Parking, Disco, 24-Hour Security, Health Club, Lounge, Banquet facilities, Doctor on call.

Luxury – Rs. 2501 and above

• Park Plaza Chandigarh ; Block No.10, Sector 17, Next to RBI, Chandigarh 160017. ; Ph – 0172 660 0000 ; Facilities – Travel Desk, 24-hour front desk, 24-hour room service, Conference facilities, Laundry, Parking, Non-smoking rooms, 24-Hour Security,Catering Services, Concierge, Laundry/Valet Services, Wedding Services, Banquet facilities, Doctor on call.

Top RestaurantsAdd

• Barbeque Nation ;  SCO 39, Madhya Marg, Near Mainland China, Sector 26, Chandigarh, 160019. ; M –  0172 6060000, 91 9216441777 ; Food Serve :  vegetarian and non vegetarian.
• The Cafe – JW Marriott ;  JW Marriott Hotel, Plot 6, Dakshin Marg, Sector 35 B, Chandigarh. ; M –  91 8591056362 ; Food Serve :  Multi-Cuisine.
• Sam’s Pizza ;  Sco.11, Near PP Jewellers, Madhya Marg, Sector-26, Chandigarh – 160026. ; M –  (+91) 172 4653355, (+91) 172 4645564 ; Food Serve :  Fast Food.

Must Eat FoodAdd

• Lassi –  Radha Swami Sweets & Dairy ; Shop No 2030, A, Sector 45, Chandigarh, Chandigarh. ; Ph/M –  (+91) 9988006362 ; Cost –  N.A. ; Famous for – Lassi, Milk Cake, Gulab Jamun.

Must Do ActivitiesAdd

Must ShopAdd

Nightlife (Pub / Disc / BAR)Add

• Oregano Clubs ; JW Marriott Hotel, Mezzanine Floor, Plot No. 6, Dakshin Marg, Sector 35 – B, Chandigarh, 160035. ; Ph/M: (+91) 172 3955555, (+91) 172 3955588, (+91) 172 3955624 ; Cost:  Rs.1200 ; Food Serve : Thin Crust Pizza, Finger Licking Pastas, Nice Italian Wine, Rotos.
• Hops n Grains ; SCO No. 358, Ground Floor, Sector 9, Panchkula, Chandigarh, 134109. ; Ph/M: (+91) 8054923853, (+91) 172 4026666 ; Cost:  Rs.1800 ; Food Serve : Dunkel Dark Beer, Weiss Dark Beer, Premium Lager Beer, Kebabs.
• Peddler’s Pub ; SCO 467/468, Ground Floor, In Heritage Hotel, Sector 35 – C ; Ph/M: 172-2605909-0, 172-2602479-0 ; Cost:  Rs.1,000 onwards ; Food Serve : European Multi-Cuisine, Thai Chinese, Continental, Indian,Oriental.

SpaAdd

• Blue Terra spa ;  1st Floor, SCO 479-480 (Above LG Showroom), Sec 35 C, Chandigarh. ; Ph/M – 0172 4605500 , 7508313494 ; Cost:  Rs. 1500 ; Services –  Foot Massage, Back Massage, Facial Massage, Aroma Massage, Ayurvedic Massage, Head Massage, Full Body Massage.
• Aura Thai Spa ;  Sco 64/65, Ground Floor, Sector 8/C, Madhya Marg, Chandigarh. ; Ph/M – 91 0172 4690088 , 91 89680 44549 ; Cost:  Rs. 1800 ; Services –  Foot Reflexology, Body Scrubs, Facial Treatments, Body Massages, Body Detoxifier (Exfoliation), Special Package, Aromatherapy Massage.

FestivalAdd

Baisakhi Festival ; Venue:  Leisure Valley (Sector-10) or Parade Ground (Sector-17). ; Period :  April ; Details:  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. Vaisakhi 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.

Chandigarh Mango Festival ; Venue:  Pinjore Garden. ; Period :  June ; Details:  The name mango festival is suggestive of the fact that it is a festivity of mangoes. Mango festival in Chandigarh, India 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.

Festival of Gardens ; Venue:  Leisure Valley (Sector-10). ; Period :  February ; Details:  Chandigarh festival of gardens is one of the most popular festivals listed on the national calendar of festivals. It is a three-day extravaganza that is held in the month of February, mostly during the last week. Initially, this festival was called Rose festival and was started to motivate people to visit the rose garden and savor the marvelous sight of the blooms. Since then, Rose festival of Chandigarh, India has been gaining momentum. There are lots of things that have been incorporated. Today, it consists of various cultural programs consisting of classical and folk dances, musical performances, flower shows and exhibitions by local artists. This grand event also gives an opportunity to various companies to showcase their products. Since 1997, it is known as the festival of gardens.

Chrysanthemums Show ; Venue:  Terraced Garden (Sector 33). ; Period :  December ; Details:  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.

Safety / WarningEdit

• Beware of pickpockets as Chandigarh is a major tourist city in India.
• Don’t flash jewelry or large sums of money.
• Avoid false saller, they may sale you fake items.
• Never accept a ride if there’s someone accompanying the driver in a taxi or rickshaw.
• Keep a copy of your passport/visa separate from the original.

HelplineEdit

• POLICE CONTROL ROOM (Chandigarh): 2741900
• Ambulance : 102
• Fire Brigade : 101
• Women Helpline : 2705011

ItineraryEdit

Day 1
10:00 am – Nek Chand Fantasy Rock Garden ;Approx. time spent : 2 hrs
12:00 pm – Shangri-La Plus ;Approx. time spent : 1 hrs
1:00 pm – Le Corbusier Centr;Approx. time spent : 2 hrs
3:00 pm – Garden of Fragrance ;Approx. time spent : 1 hrs
4:00 pm – Government Museum and Art Gallery ;Approx. time spent : 2 hrs
6:00 pm – Khadi Ashram ;Approx. time spent : 1 hrs
7:00 pm – Swagath ;Approx. time spent : 2 hrs
Day 2
10:00 am – National Gallery of Portraits ;Approx. time spent : 2 hrs
12:00 am – Sundarams;Approx. time spent : 2 hrs
2:00 pm – Chandigarh Rose Garden;Approx. time spent : 2 hrs
4:00 pm – FunCity ;Approx. time spent : 2 hrs
Day 3
10:00 am – Nik Baker’s ;Approx. time spent : 2 hrs
12:00 am – Sukhna Lake ;Approx. time spent : 2 hrs
2:00 pm – Thunderzone ;Approx. time spent : 3 hrs

Gallery