Chandigarh, capital of two Indian states, Haryana and Punjab, located in central India is famous for its planned architecture. Cleanliness to a better livelihood it has received many awards by surveying agencies done in Nation. “Punjabiya di shaan te Haryana di jaan” a slang which perfectly defines Chandigarh.  Development and growth has played a vital role to make it most desired place to migrate within country. 

Chandigarh splits as “Chandi” the goddess of Power and “garh” a fort. It actually derives it’s name from a deity Chandi, whose temple is located at the vicinity of city (which was then surrounded by a lake). Found fossils indicated that Harappans once resided here. Many researches has proved it contained aquatic life thousands years ago. This picturesque planned city has organised architecture to display so let’s explore the amazing places to visit in Chandigarh. 

As Chandigarh lies on the borders of Punjab and Haryana it was declared a Union Territory. Hence it served as capital for both states. Punjab has borders by west, north and south and Haryana on brink of East. 

A planned city 

Chandigarh was designed by the Swiss-French modernist architecture Le Corbuseir. It is located at the foothills of Shivalik. It is best known for its urban planning and modern architecture. It was planned in such a way that city divides into four major parts. Residential sector, Industrial sector, Educational sector and Leisure & Spiritual sector. It reduces the complexity of a city and also well connected roads help you to not get lost. 

Sports in Chandigarh

Hockey, boxing, wrestling, cricket, rowing and list goes on for this city. It has sport complex and several academies to sponsor sportsman. Inderjit Singh Bindra Stadium famous as Mohali cricket ground is just 16 kms from city. 

Places to visit in Chandigarh

• Rock Garden is one of the major tourist attraction in Chandigarh. Built by a government official unofficially to spend his leisure time is an enthusiast in city now. Situated near sukhna lake, it is made of discarded wastes of industries and home. It has manmade water fall and statues and sculptures made by bangles, bulb, rocks, ceramic pots, sinks, broken pipes and etc.
• Sukhna Lake is a reservoir of Himalayas located in Chandigarh. Many birds migrate to this lake. Once famous for rowing championship, it has longest channel of rowing in Asia. 
• Chhatbir Zoo is another popular places to visit in Chandigarh, where many wildlife species are preserved. 
• Timber Trail just near Chandigarh lies a hill station Parwano. You can go cycling, walk and enjoy trail over here. 
• Chandigarh has a Capitol Complex which includes the Secretariat, High court and the Palace of Assembly. Interestingly as designed by Le Corbuseir, two monuments remains unfinished in Capitol.
• The open hand is a sculpture which denotes peace and reconciliation. It is a master piece of new age design. Give and take is another phenomenon on which it is based.
• National Gallery of Portrait, if you are an enthusiast of history then this unexplored destination will wow you. It contains books, archives sculptures and paintings from the independence era.
• Government museum and art gallery have documented and preserved the belongings of the partition. 
• Dolls Museum as the name suggests has a collection of dolls and puppets. These collections have been bought from different parts of the world. This is one of the kids favorite places to visit in Chandigarh as well.
• The Zakhir Husain Rose Garden offers around 1600 species of roses. A prime tourist place in city is widespread. In month of February and March, a rose festival is organized, where people come across different parts of the country. 
• Japanese Garden a recent and modernized place that reflects Japanese art. It is divided in two parts connected via the underground tunnel. 
• Butterfly Park is another popular places in Chandigarh and a sight to behold as it has 30 species of butterflies spread in 7 acres. Buttery need flowers so this park has many species of flowers as well. 
• Waterpark can never be missed in a city. Chandigarh also offers a fun and frolic day with rides, water splash, pools and slides and those are the extra-fun places to visit in Chandigarh. 

Shopping in Chandigarh

Punjab is famous for phulkari all over India. There are several streets to shop and have an amazing evening. Some of the popular shopping streets of Chandigarh are listed below: 

• Sector 17 
• Shahtri market 
• Palika bazar sector 19 
• Rehti market sector 15 
• City centre DLF  

Eating places in Chandigarh

Butter chicken, paneer butter masala, lassi, Paratha with butter, amritsari naan, daal makhani and variety of delectable food. Concept of dhaba still is heart of city. Chandigarh has some nice quaint cafes and this city lives at night. Here are some recommended eatries in Chandigarh:

• Monica's Pudding & Pies
• Hops N Grains
• Brooklyn Center
• The Willow Café
• Virgin Courtyard
• Pal Dhaba
• Backpacker's Café
• Laziz Rasoi

How to reach Chandigarh?

• Airport: Chandigarh has an international airport. 
• Railways: It is the largest railway station in Punjab and Haryana. 
• Roadway: Several national highways link to Chandigarh. Hence it provides affordable and luxury bus services 

Best time to visit Chandigarh

Just after rain around September or after winter is a good time to visit Chandigarh. 

• Summer: March to June- 27°c to 39°c ( hot, humid, and heatwaves are witnessed) 
• Rainy: June to September- 20°c to 30°c ( moderate rain is predicted) 
• Winter: October to February 15°c to 5°c ( It’s very cold in Chandigarh with foggy days)