Chandigarh: The best planned city in India

Chandigarh is the best-planned city in India, with architecture which is world-renowned, and a quality of life, which is unparalleled. Chandigarh is a union territory of India that serves as the capital of two states, Punjab and Haryana. The name Chandigarh translates as The Fort of Chandi. The name was coined from an ancient temple called Chandi Mandir, devoted to the Hindu Goddess Chandi, present in the city's vicinity. It is occasionally referred to as The City Beautiful. 

Chandigarh stands as the first city in India to be designed from ground up. It was established in 1953, a few year after the partition of British India into the nations of India and Pakistan in 1947. The Government of India under prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru hired French architect Le Corbusier to plan the city.

As the first planned city of India, Chandigarh is known internationally for its architecture and urban planning. As per a study conducted by Ministry of Urban Development, Chandigarh has emerged as the cleanest city in India, while also topping the List of Indian states and territories by Human Development Index. Chandigarh is located near the foothills of the Shivalik range of the Himalayas in Northwest India. Chandigarh has the largest number of vehicles per capita in India. The administrative control of Chandigarh is under the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Main Attractions:

Mahendra Chaudhary Zoological Park, or ChattBir Zoo, is a zoological park located near Zirakpur, that houses hundreds of different mammals, birds and reptiles. One of the major attractions of Chatbir Zoo near Chandigarh is the lion safari. The work on zoo had started long back in the seventies and today it has been developed as a full-fledged zoological park. The Royal Bengal tiger is the pride of Chattbir zoo. Visitors are taken on the adventurous trips to the Asiatic Lion reserves, where animals roam about freely. You can also find distinctive species of birds. The zoo is open every day of the week except Mondays.

Rock Garden and Aquarium in Sector 1, Chandigarh, created by Nek Chand, now sprawling over 64 acres of several thousand sculptures set in large mosaic courtyards linked by walled paths and deep gorges, Nek Chand's creation also combines huge buildings with a series of interlinking waterfalls. Built of industrial waste and thrown-away items, it is perhaps the world's most poignant and salient statement of the possibility of finding beauty in the unexpected and accidental. Chandigarh rock garden is an epitome of creativity and innovation. It is a unique garden that consists of various art objects. But the best part about the rock garden is that each of its artwork has been made by using industrial & urban waste. It is located in Sector 1 between the Capitol Complex and Sukhna Lake. The credit for laying its foundation goes to Nek Chand, who was the then Road Inspector in the Engineering Department of Chandigarh Capital Project.

Shanti Kunj garden ( Shanti Kunj - Abode of Peace ) in Chandigarh is situated at a very peaceful place that is free from any noise and pollution. Therefore, it has been rightly named as Shanti Kunj. It is located between the Rose Garden and the Cricket Stadium in Sector 16, Chandigarh, India. In the Chandigarh Shanti Kunj park, you can find different varieties of plants and trees like vertical shaped trees, trees that provide shade, trees apt for environment and flowering trees. Also the garden contains a plenty of medicinal plants that are utilized to cure several diseases,rees, streams, pools, crossed by curved bridges & meditation nooks, spread over 18 acres of land. There is a natural stream that runs through this garden and also is responsible for dividing the whole area into five different segments.

Sukhna Lake in Sector 6, Chandigarh, a beautiful man-made lake created in 1958 in an area of three square kilometers. A Recreational spot, the lake provides facilities for boating and water skiing. Surrounded by lush green vegetation. Sukhna Lake is a beautiful lake that lies in the foothills of Shivalik range. Sukhna Lake serves as a great picnic spot and due to calm and serene atmosphere it is appropriate for morning walk and meditation as well.

Rose Garden, Zakir Hussain Rose Garden Asia's largest Rose Garden located in Sector 16, and is spreaded over 30 acres of land having over 1600 different species or roses. Chandigarh festival of gardens is one of the most popular festivals listed on the national calendar of festivals. It is a three-day extravaganza that is held in the month of February, mostly during the last week. Initially, this festival was called Rose festival and was started to motivate people to visit the rose garden and savor the marvelous sight of the blooms.