Chandigarh, the capital of both Punjab and Haryana, is the only Indian city to have been designed and planned by a single architect. The city, a model of wide roads and spacious residential colonies, is an excellent base for specialised sightseeing, and for visiting Sukhna Lake, Pinjore Gardens, the Rose Garden and the Rock Garden. 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 Kulu, 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.

Altitude : 304.8 to 365.78 metres.
Temperature (deg C): Summer- Max 37, Min 23; Winter- Max 24, Min 5.
Rainfall : 111.4 cms.
Best Season : October to March.

TRANSPORT AND COMMUNICATION

• Air : Indian Airlines connect Chandigarh with Delhi, Jammu, Shrinagar and Leh. Vayudoot Services connect Chandigarh with Delhi, Kulu and Gaggad.

• 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, Shimla 117 kms, Kulu 279 kms, Bhakra 116 kms, Kasauli 77 kms, Jammu 380 kms.

• Bus Services: Regular bus services connect Chandigarh with Amritsar, Delhi, Dharamshala, Kulu, Manali, Nangal, Pathankot and Shimla.

PLACES OF INTEREST

The Secratariat, 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), Chattbir Zoo (22 kms), Mansa Mandir / Chandi Mandir (10 kms), Bhakra Nangal (116 kms), Ponta Sahib (135 kms), Naina Devi (110 kms).

INFORMATION CENTRES

1. Chandigarh Tourism, Sector 17, Tel: 544614
2. Himachal Tourism, Sector 22, Tel: 43569
3. U.P Tourism, Sector 22, Tel: 41649
4. Haryana Tourism, Sector 17, Tel: 542955-57
5. Punjab Tourism, Sector 22, Tel: 43570

Chandigarh
The capital city of two of India's prosperous states of Haryana and Punjab, Chandigarh, is a post-partition city. It was designed by the French architect Le Corbusier, and is symbolic of the future of city planning in India, with wide tree-lined boulevards,a ban on industrial activity leading to low pollution, and a relaxed altitude to life, make this a charming place to lime in and visit.
Places of interest are the Legislative Assembly, with a removable dome; a mural symbolizing evolution the Open Hand Monument, and the Tower of Shadows, a geometrical hill. One can visit the Rose Garden, boasting over 1000 varieties of roses, and the Rock garden, comprising an extraordinary collection of rocks from the Shivaliks, and discarded items of every day use. Sukhna Lake is also popular.

Kurukshetra: Kurukshetra features in the great Indian Epic Mahabharata. The war of Mahabharata between Kauravas and Pandavas was fought here. It is the land where Bhavad Gita originated, where Krishna made Arjuna listen to the call of duty. Other places of interest are Brahma Sarovar, Narkatari temple, Banganga, Nabhi Kamal, Gurudwara Rajghat, Kurukshetra Library, a Buddhist mound, which is protected by the state and a Crocodile Sanctuary. Click For Tour

Panipat: On this very land the three battle of Panipat was fought. The first battle announced the establishment of Mughal rule in India. It is famous for woolen carpets. In and around one visit Buria (8 kms), the old palace of Birbal (The minister of Akbar), Ad Badri (20 kms), the famous ancient temple of Lord Shiva Sun Temple (12 kms). One of the three of its kind in India. , Chacharauli (15 kms) an old fort, which has the crystal of kalsia estate during the Mughal era, Kopal Mochan (20 kms.) where people especially throng to have a holy dip on Full Moon day. It is of historic importance as the Pandavas purified their weapons here.