Chandigarh

The city of Chandigarh lies in the valley surrounded by Shiwalik Hills that hem the great Himalayas. From here one can travel northwards to the hill resorts of Shimla Kullu, Manali, Dharmashala and Dalhousie. Chandigarh is not only the most modern city in the country but has been planned to perfection by the world famous French architect Le Corbusier.

GENERAL INFORMATION:

Altitude 304.8 to 365.78 metres.
Temperature Summer- Max 37, Min 23; Winter- Max 24, Min 5
Rainfall : 111.4 cms.
Best Season October to March.
STD code: 0172.

TRANSPORT AND COMMUNICATION:
Air : : Indian Airlines connect Chandigarh with Delhi, Jammu, Srinagar and Leh
Rail : Chandigarh, the terminus of Northern Railway, is connected with Bombay, Delhi, Kalka and other major cities in India.
Road : Chandigarh is connected by good motorable roads with Amritsar 240 kms, Dehradhun 230 kms, Delhi 248 kms, Gangotri 535 kms, Katra 428 kms, Jaipur 507 kms, Nainital 568 kms, Rishikesh 276 kms, Kullu 272 kms, Manali 312 kms, Shimla 117 kms, Bhakra 116 kms, Kasauli 67 kms, Jammu 380 kms.
BUS SERVICES: Regular bus services connect Chandigarh with Amritsar, Delhi, Dharamshala, Kullu, Manali, Nangal, Pathankot and Shimla
CONDUCTED TOURS: Contact CITCO, Sector 17, Tel: 2703839
ARCHITECTURE OF CHANDIGARH
Chandigarh is a grand success story in the annals of modern architecture. It combines architectural elegance with wide tree lined avenues and green belts. In 1951 the world renowned Architect, Le Corbousier developed the city plan and designed the capital complex. The idea of vertical planning was ruled out and it was decided to build the city horizontally. The master plan divides the city into rectangular modules called sectors, each one measuring 800 meters X 1200 meters with a population varying from 5000 to 20,000. Each sector is provided with a shopping complex, school, health centre, places of recreation and places of worship. Chandigarh has 47 sectors except for sector number 13.

PLACES OF INTEREST

The Secretariat -- The Secretariat is the largest building in the Capitol Complex and is the headquarters of both the Punjab and Haryana governments. It is one of the Capitol buildings and houses all the ministries. The Secretariat and Vidhan Sabha (Legislative Assembly) buildings are in Sector 1.
Zakir Hussain Rose Garden -- Zakir Gulab Baag is Asia's largest Rose garden, spread out over 30 acres of land, in sector 16. Established in 1967, today around 50,000 Rose trees of 1600 different species bloom here. Apart from roses, the other trees planted have medicinal value and some unique specimen trees were planted to enhance the beauty of the garden. The garden is located next to the city centre.
Rock Garden -- The Rock Garden of Chandigarh has been created by putting together the fossils of ancient life forms found in the Shivalik hills and by recycled waste material. Its creator, Nek Chand, was an inspector in the engineering department. Rock fossils have been arranged into an open air sculpture exhibition. Some of the sculptures include a wall made out of discarded fluorescent tubes, an army of clay monkeys and broken chinaware soldiers and shapes of women made out of discarded glass bangles. The garden covers an area of 6 acres.

In summers, it is open from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm and again from 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm. From October to March it is open from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm. and 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm.
Sukhna Lake -- Another tourist attraction in Chandigarh is the Sukhna Lake spread over an area of 3 sq. km in sector 6. The waters of a seasonal rivulet that ran through the city were impounded to create the Sukhna Lake. Migratory birds arrive here from Siberia during the winter. A love for the lake draws many volunteers to 'desilt' it just before the monsoon rains set in. While the lake promenade is a place for peace and tranquility, but just at the entrance the area has been developed for children to enjoy themselves.
Govt. Museum & Art Gallery & Punjab University Complex -- Located in sector 14, the parks and pools around the university building have enhanced the feel of the whole area. The Punjab University was founded in 1882 at Lahore. After partition and initial dislocation, the University shifted to Chandigarh in 1956. It is as famous for it's landscaping as for its architecture.
Leisure Valley -- During the monsoon, there runs a natural storm-water channel through the middle of the city, locally called a nullah. The nullah, along with the adjoining land has been converted into what is called the leisure valley. Starting from the foot of the hills to the west of the Capitol Complex, the leisure valley extends into sector 3 and crosses over into sector 10. The leisure valley is spread over 6 km and is in accordance with the plan. No vehicular traffic interrupts a pedestrian taking a walk in the park.
Pinjore Gardens- 25 km -- Located a short distance from Chandigarh, on the Pinjore-Kalka road is the Pinjore Yadvindra Gardens. This is a traditional Mogul style garden, created in the 17th century by Nawab Fidal Khan, architect to the Mogul emperor Aurangzeb. These gardens were developed along a slope with a central channel of water in which fountains were placed at regular intervals. On either side of the channel are spacious walkways with shady trees and a carpet of green grass. Pinjore Garden is a favorite picnic spot for the citizens of Chandigarh. It is open on all days and accommodation is available at Rang Mahal and Sheesh Mahal.
The Assembly & High Court
International Doll Museum
National Gallery of Portraits.

EXCURSIONS

Bhima Devi Temple- 22 km
Chattbir Zoo- 22 km
Mansa Mandir / Chandi Mandir- 10 km
Bhakra Nangal- 116 km
Ponta Sahib- 135 km
Naina Devi- 110 km

OTHER HOTELS
K. C. Residency, Tel: 2615364, G. K. International, Tel: 2660737, Kapil, Tel: 2603366, Kwality Regency, Tel: 2720204, Metro 35, Tel: 2604337, Monarch, Tel: 2609991, Le Crown, Tel: 2666061, South End, Tel:2607935.
GOVERNMENT ACCOMMODATION (Tariff ranges between Rs.250-600/-)
Union Territory GuestHouse, Sector 6, Tel: 2740961-5
State Guest House (U.T.)
Panchayat Bhawan, Sector 18, Tel: 2775573, 2774778.
State Guest House (Haryana), Sector 10, Tel: 2740456.
Yatri Niwas, Tel: 2700501.
YMCA, Sector 11.

PLACES OF INTEREST
The Secretariat, The Assembly & High Court, Zakir Hussain Rose Garden (2 kms), Rock Garden, Sukhna Lake, Govt. Museum & Art Gallery & Punjab University Complex, International Doll Museum, National Gallery of Portraits.

EXCURSIONS
Pinjore Gardens (25 kms), Bhima Devi Temple (22 kms), Chhattbir Zoo (22 kms), Mansa Mandir / Chandi Mandir (10 kms), Bhakra Nangal (116 kms), Paonta Sahib (135 kms), Naina Devi (110 kms).
INFORMATION CENTRES
Chandigarh Tourism, Sector 17, Chandigarh. Tel: 2704614.
Punjab Tourism, Sector 22-B, ISBT, Chandigarh. Tel: 2704570.
Haryana Tourism, Sector 17, Chandigarh. Tel: 2702955-57.
Chandigarh Tourism, 21-B Telegraph Lane, Harish Chandar Mathur Lane, K G Road, New Delhi,Tel: 23353359.
Government of India Tourist Office, 88, Janpath, New Delhi. Tel: 23320008 / 23320005, Fax: 23320109
WEBSITE: www.citcochandigarh.com
For further information log on to http://www.citcochandigarh.com/helpline/