Situated in close proximity to the Shivalik foothills of the Himalayas in northwest India, at a distance of 256km from Delhi, lies Chandigarh. It was the first planned city built after Independence, the master plan for which was created by the renowned Swiss-French architect, Le Corbusier. Unlike most small towns, wherein the splendour of the past is juxtaposed incongruously with the squalor of the present, Chandigarh was conceptualised as an urban project with wide roads drawn out in a grid-iron pattern, interlinked self-sufficient sectors with a thick green cover, manicured roundabouts with flowering plants that now are a cultural marker of the city, and a disdain for high-rise buildings – it is that crux which remains unmarred to this day.

THINGS TO SEE AND DO

The city, the twin capital of Haryana and Punjab, sees tourist traffic most of the year and largely plays host to travellers on the Delhi-Manali and Delhi-Shimla course. Visitors in independent vehicles the option to cruise along the notorious geri route (a few streets where young men ride their motorbikes and cars regularly) that spans from Sector 8 to 11 and, while waiting for the red to turn green, can have their children count the number of SUVs that drift by for amuse-ment. They can also savour the local delicacies the city has to offer, or just roam around sightseeing.

Chandigarh’s famous landmark: Rock Garden built by Nek Chand
Chandigarh’s famous landmark: Rock Garden built by Nek Chand
Gireesh GV

Rock Garden

Located at Uttar Marg in Sector 1, north of Chandigarh, this fantastical place, founded by Nek Chand, attracts over 5,000 visitors daily. Spread over an area of 40 acres, the garden has figures built of industrial and discarded home articles such as redundant electrical items, bangles, ceramic pots, bottles, tiles, sinks and other such concrete paraphernalia that are positioned in walled paths. In 1957, Nek Chand had begun collecting and subsequently recycling material from demolished sites around the city in his spare time. Once you walk in, the path will lead you through a series of laby-rinthine arches, tunnels, courtyards, porches and bridges, with passages leading into open galleries replete with thousands of sculptures that stand today assuming the profile of humans, com-batants, birds and monkeys.

This unique edifice also houses an open-air exhibition hall, theatre trove and sublime waterfalls.

Entry Adults ₹20; Children ₹10 Timings Winter: 9.00am–6.00pm; Summer: 9.00am–7.30pm, daily

Government Museum and Art Gallery

Located in Sector 10C, the Government Museum and Art Gallery was designed by Le Corbusier. The Art Gallery is unequivocally the principal and most impressive of the four wings of the museum with the latter three including the Chandigarh Architecture Museum, National History Museum and National Gallery of Portraits.

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Exhibits at the Government Museum and Art Gallery
Exhibits at the Government Museum and Art Gallery

Enthralling those interested in antediluvian fossils and artefacts, these galleries house a vast collection of Gandhara and Hindu sculptures, Pahari, Mughal and Rajasthani miniature pain-tings, decorative arts, coins, plans, sketches and photographs pertaining to the planning and development of the city, maquettes, contemporary art, textile work and even furniture. The sprawling museum campus also includes a reference library for art connoisseurs and students.

Entry ₹10; Free for senior citizens and children below 12 Timings 10.00am– 4.30pm Closed Mondays and national holidays Photography ₹5 Guided Tours (on prior booking) 11.00am, noon, 3.00pm & 4.00pm

International Dolls Museum

The museum, located in Bal Bhavan in Sector 24, has an enormous anthology of dolls from around the world as well as India. Especially child-friendly, the museum houses dolls dressed in Indian tribal attire and in various bridal ensembles, highlighting the diversity of cultures and secularism in India. Also on display are dolls from countries such as Netherlands, Korea, Russia and Germany, all adorned and bejeweled in their local garb. Along with dolls, the museum features scenes of prominent fables that appeal to the children. However, a toy train that’s been a permanent fixture since 1985 is the main attraction of the museum and has kids swarming around in absolute glee.

Entry ₹10 Timings 9.30am–4.30pm Closed Monday Photography ₹5

Sukhna Lake

Created by damming the cyclic stream that flows down from the Shivalik Hills, the Sukhna Lake, located in Sector 1, is an artificial water body. Declared a protected national wetland by the Government of India, this is also a sanctuary for countless migratory birds like Siberian ducks, cranes and storks during the winter months.

To preserve Le Corbusier’s vision of beauty and tranquility for Sukhna Lake, motorboats in the lake are not allowed to this date, nor is vehicular traffic permitted on the promenade.

The lake is a popular tourist des-tination. Activities such as rowing, boating and kayaking are available here. There is a restaurant and a souvenir shop a few steps away from the entrance.

WHERE TO STAY & EAT

At the top-end, there is Taj Chandigarh (Tel: 0172-6613000; Tariff: ₹10,795–30,634) located in Sector 17. The Schezwan cuisine at its restaurant, Black Lotus, is delicious. JW Marriott Hotel (Tel: 3955555; Tariff: ₹8,200–50,000) in Sector 35 has all the top-notch amenities and is one of the best luxury options.

The government-owned Hotel Mount-view (Tel: 4671111, 2740544, Cell: 09041155566; Tariff: ₹5,500–14,000) has a gym, swimming pool and a multi-cuisine restaurant. The TOY Hotel (Tel: 4033333, Cell: 08054703648; Tariff: ₹5,000–9,000) has a blingy exterior, but the interiors are stylish and comfortable. The Fern Residency (Tel: 5043333; Tariff: ₹5,000–8,000) and Hotel Aroma Complex (Tel: 4010000-27, 2700047-48; Tariff: ₹3,295–4,295) are other good options.

Chandigarh has a plethora of eateries. Some of the cafés and restaurants worth visiting are Gusto Café and Restaurant and Virgin Courtyard in Sector 7 and The Willow Café in Sector 10. For good Continental and grills, there is Chili’s, Underdoggs, Pirates of the Grill and Mocha, all in Elante Mall. Swagath in Sector 26 serves excellent south Indian grub, while Mainland China in Sector 26 is the go-to Chinese joint.

FAST FACTS

When to go October–March

Tourist offices, 4th Floor, Paryavaran Bhawan, Sector 19B, Madhya Marg, Chandigarh, Tel: 0172-2700225, Tourist Helpline: 18001802116, W chandigarhtourism.gov.in

Punjab Tourism, Archives Bhavan, Sector 38A, Chandigarh, Tel: 2699140, W punjabtourism.gov.in

Haryana Tourism, SCO 17-19, Sector 17-B, Chandigarh, Tel: 2702955-57, W haryanatourism.gov.in

STD code 0172

GETTING THERE

Air Chandigarh Airport is connected to Delhi by Air India, SpiceJet, Vistara, GoAir and Jet Airways

Rail Chandigarh Station is connected to Delhi by the Kalka Shatabdi, to Delhi and Kolkata by the Kalka Mail, and also to Mumbai by Paschim Express

Road From Delhi, take NH1 to Ambala via Panipat, NH22 to Zirakpur, NH21 to Chandigarh Bus Haryana Roadways, Himachal Roadways and Punjab Roadways have excellent bus connections from ISBT Kashmere Gate in Delhi to Chandigarh