What is Chandigarh best known for?
The beautiful city of Chandigarh is one of the favourite tourist destinations of northern India. It is the capital city of the Indian states of Haryana and Punjab, and also one of the eight union territories of India. It is known that the city was designed by Swiss-French Architecture. Therefore, Chandigarh is famed for its design around the world. Chandigarh got its name from the goddess of power "Chandi". The Capitol Complex of Chandigarh is a UNESCO World Heritage site. It is believed that it was the first planned city of urban India and the dream city of the first Prime Minister of India, Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru. Chandigarh produces a variety of major crops in India such as wheat, maize and rice. Also, the weather of Chandigarh remains pleasant throughout the year. Chandigarh is famous for a multitude of sports and recreational facilities as well.
The best-known places in Chandigarh
- Sukhna Lake - It is a reservoir that was built in 1958 by damming the Sukhna Choe, and it is a beautiful stream of water that comes down from the Shivalik Hills.
- The Garden of Silence - The garden has a Buddha statue. It is a very peaceful place where people can do meditation and the location of this garden is at the end of Sukhna Lake in Chandigarh. The Ministry of Tourism and Chandigarh Administration maintain this garden.
- Prachin Chandi Mata Temple - This ancient temple is of Goddess Chandi, believed to be the goddess of power. The temple is located 15 kilometres away from the city. It has beautiful surroundings and is visited by many devotees during Navratras. There are statues of various Hindu deities including Radha Krishna, Chandi, Shiva, Ram, and Hanuman.
- Zakir Hussain Rose Garden - It is a wonderful botanical garden in Chandigarh. There are different kinds of medicinal plants, more than fifty thousand rose bushes, bel, harar, camphor, bahera, yellow gulmohar, and many other plants. The garden includes beautiful lawns and many flower beds. Major cultural events are organised here including the Annual Rose Festival.
- Open Hand Monument - It is a symbol of the Chandigarh Government and symbolizes "the hand to give and the hand to take, peace and prosperity, and the unity of mankind". It rotates in the wind and it is 26 metres high.
Airport address: Chandigarh International Airport, New Civil Air Terminal Chandigarh International Airport, Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar, Punjab 140306
IATA code: IXC