Chandigarh was formed after the Indian independence, as the first planned city of post-independence India. The city is known to be totally distinctive from the rest of the cities in India and is considerably well organized as compared to the rest of India. Chandigarh, in the state of Punjab is located at the foothills of the Shivalik range of the Himalayas. Due to the high altitude location the climate of Chandigarh stays favorable all year round. The city due to its highly urban planning and low crime rate remains a favorite tourist attraction as it serves as a home away from home for most foreigners who visit India. Here’s the list of the 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 Gardens
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.
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.
Here Are Some More Tourist Spots Of Punjab:
i want to visit sukhna jheel
Chandigarh is undoubtedly a hub of tourist destinations and one of the cleanest cities in India. The blog has covered every part of Chandigarh and the the article is very informative.
Chandigarh is indeed a place with a lot of tourist attractions with every destination having a unique thing to witness. Chandigarh is internationally known for its architecture, lush greenery and urban design.
Very interesting, Please share more.