Chandigarh, the capital of Punjab and Haryana, was designed by the Swiss-French architect Le Corbusier. Some of his famous works include the Capitol Complex, which houses the High Court, Secretariat, and Legislative Assembly, as well as the large Open Hand Monument. The Rock Garden, located nearby, is a park filled with sculptures made from stones, recycled ceramics, and industrial materials.
Chandigarh also features the War Memorial, located in the Bougainvillea Garden, which honors soldiers who died since 1947. To the southeast, Sukhna Lake is a popular spot for water sports and is home to migratory birds. The Zakir Hussain Rose Garden, which is part of Leisure Valley, is a large garden with hundreds of rose varieties and other plants.
The Le Corbusier Centre offers insight into the history of the city and its architect. The Government Museum and Art Gallery, located nearby, showcases paintings by Nicholas Roerich and Sobha Singh, as well as Gandhara sculptures. The International Dolls Museum, another attraction, displays dolls and puppets from around the world.
places to visit in Chandigarh
Rock Garden
The Rock Garden of Chandigarh, also known as Nek Chand’s Rock Garden, is a unique sculpture garden. It was created by Nek Chand, a government worker, who secretly started building it in 1957 during his free time.
Zakir Hussain Rose Garden
The Zakir Hussain Rose Garden is a botanical garden in Chandigarh, covering 30 acres of land. It is home to 50,000 rose bushes of over 1,600 different species.
Chatt Bir Zoo
Located near Zirakpur, the Chatt Bir Zoo is a zoological park established in the 1970s. It houses a wide range of birds, mammals, and reptiles.
Open Hand Monument
The Open Hand Monument, designed by architect Le Corbusier, is a symbolic structure located in the Capitol Complex of Chandigarh. It represents peace and unity.
Chandigarh Capitol Complex
The Chandigarh Capitol Complex, situated in Sector 1, is a government compound designed by Le Corbusier. It is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Pinjore Gardens
The Pinjore Gardens, also known as Yadavindra Gardens, were originally created by a Nawab during the Mughal rule and later expanded by Maharaja Yadavindra of Patiala.
International Dolls Museum
The International Dolls Museum, established in 1985, showcases dolls and puppets from over 25 countries. It is managed by the Indian Council of Child Welfare.
Le Corbusier Centre
The Le Corbusier Centre was once the office of the famous architect during his time working on the planning of Chandigarh. It has now been turned into a museum dedicated to his life and work.
Cactus Garden
The Cactus Garden in Chandigarh, the largest succulent botanical garden in Asia, spans 7 acres. Established in 1987, it features over 3,500 species of cacti.
Best Time to Visit Chandigarh
The best times to visit Chandigarh are from May to July and December. The city experiences a humid subtropical climate, with very hot summers and mild winters. The monsoon season, from July to September, brings heavy rains. Popular annual events include the Rose Festival, the Mango Festival (featuring tastings and a mango-eating competition), and the Chandigarh Carnival, which showcases a vibrant parade of floats, food stalls, and an amusement park.
