Chandigarh
What to see
Chandigarh, with all its charms, is literally a treasure - trove for the travel - buff. The Rock garden, a famous tourist spot, is an architectural wonder, covering an area of 6 acres. It was built by Nekchand Saini, with multicoloured pieces of stones and other discarded objects.
The Sukhna Lake is an artificial lake, spread over an area of 3 sq. km. Boating facilities are available here, and walking around the perimeter of the lake is a very refreshing experience.
The Museum-cum-Art Gallery is another marvelous place to see. It houses an extensive range of paintings and sculptures by contemporary Indian artists, as well as a collection of old Indian miniatures of the Mughal, Kangra and Rajasthani School.
In sector 16, is Asia's largest rose garden, Zakir Gulab Bagh, spread out over 30 acres of land, boasting of 50,000 rose-trees of 1600 different species!
The Secretariat and High Court buildings, located at sector 1, are veritable proofs of the architectural expertise of Le Corbusier. One can enjoy an excellent view of the city from the roof of the Secretariat. The High Court has a double roof, which provides protection from the sun. What is peculiar is its shape, which resembles the shell of an enormous tortoise!
The Super Market or shopping centre is at sector 17. Other places of interest include the State Library, Shanti Kunj, Moonlight Garden, Bougainvillea Garden, Bidhan Sabha and University - each a fine specimen of modern art.
How to get there
Chandigarh is 248 km from Delhi and can be reached by bus or train.
While visiting Chandigarh, one is reminded of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru's words, delivered in 1952:
"Let this be a new town, symbolic of the freedom of India, unfettered by the traditions of the past - an expression of the nation's faith in the future."
* The information regarding this page is from The India Travel and Tour India sites.