Chandigarh AKA ‘City Beautiful’ is a city and Union Territory in India that serves as the capital of two neighboring states of Punjab and Haryana. It was formed as the first planned city after Indian independence and is internationally known for its architecture and urban design.
Although many people backpacking India bypass Chandigarh in favour of more popular destinations such as Agra and Jaipur, it’s actually a haven for expats and digital nomads.
Located near the foothills of the Shivalik range of the Himalayas in northwest India, Chandigarh boasts of its highly urban planning, low crime rate and great weather conditions. The plethora of gardens and picnic spots, along with the clean and cool surroundings make Chandigarh a a great destination for a weekend or even longer. Here’re the top tourist places in Chandigarh:
Rock Garden
5.6 Kilometres to City Centre
Address: Rock Garden, Sector-1, Chandigarh
Timings: 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Tips:
1. Avoid weekends and public holidays
2. Carry sun-protection and water
The Rock Garden (created by Nek Chand) is the most unique places to visit in Chandigarh. This beautiful garden is a maze of walkways that connect numerous displays of art objects, fashioned out of industrial and urban waste. More than 2000 figures have been built in about 40 acres of land over a period of 20 years, making this site quirky as well as an elemental lesson in recycling.
Rose Garden
2.4 Kilometres to City Centre
Address: Track, 16B, Sector 16, Chandigarh
Timings: Summer mornings and evenings, all day in winter
Tips
Avoid weekends and public holidays
Carry sun protection and water
Built in 30 acres of area, Rose Garden is plotted with 50,000 rose bushes of over 1600 different species. If you want to enjoy the beauty of flowers and feel the perfect blend of nature’s colors, this is a place for you!
There are a wide variety of trees of medicinal value and some unique species of trees to enhance the beauty of the garden.
The ‘Festival of Garden’ is held annually in the Rose Garden in the month of February and is listed in the ‘National Calendar of Events’.
Sukhna Lake
5.6 Kilometres to City Centre
Address: Sukhna Lake, Sector-1, Chandigarh
Timings: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Tips
Avoid weekends and public holidays
Carry sun protection and water
Located at the foot of the Shivalik Hills is one of the top tourist places in Chandigarh - Sukhna Lake. Sukhna Lake is a beautiful man-made lake that was created in 1958 by damming the seasonal Sukhna stream that cascades down these hills. The lake compliments the greenery in the city and serves as a great spot for relaxation and recreation.
Sukhna Lake is also a favorite spot for bird watchers as the migratory birds like Siberian ducks, storks, and cranes come there. You can engage yourself in a spot of boating, or just sit on the banks to enjoy the shimmering water with mystic mountains in the backdrop.
4. Mansa Devi Temple
13.1 Kilometres to City Centre
Address: Mansa Devi Temple Complex, Panchkula
Timings: Summer – 4:00 AM to 10:00 PM, Winter - 5:00 AM to 9:00 PM
Tips:
1. Temple offerings can be purchased from shops outside the temple
2. Visit early to avoid the rush, avoid weekends and public holidays
3. A permanent langar is held in the temple, by the Chandigarh Grain Market Association, where a free delicious meal is served to all visitors
Nestled in the foothills of the Shivalik mountain range, this temple is an important shrine for worshipping Shakti (Goddess Mansa), the divine feminine incarnation of the innate cosmic energy. A tree, around which devotees tie sacred threads to get their prayers answered, forms the main attraction of this temple.
The temple place is spread over 100 acres with remarkably clean premises and is set against a scenic backdrop amidst some beautiful, lush green lawns, which is a must-visit for peace lovers.
This temple is now maintained as a heritage site by the government.
5. Japanese Garden
6.5 Kilometres to City Centre
Address: Japanese Garden, Sector 31A, Chandigarh
Timings: 4:30 AM to 11:00 PM
Tips:
Carry sun-protection and water
The Japanese Garden is a beautiful, serene garden, which houses a park, waterfalls, pagoda towers, meditation centers, Buddha idol and several other structures. The garden is spread over 13 acres and has an interconnected underground tunnel, which is decorated with beautiful Japanese paintings.
Built in 2014, this garden has recently been added in the list of best places to see in Chandigarh.
6. Butterfly Park
5.7 Kilometres to City Centre
Address: Butterfly Park, Sector 26, Chandigarh
Timings: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Tips:
Visit between March and October
Carry sun protection and water
This 7-acre park is home to 35+ species of butterflies with beautiful landscaping. Special care has been taken to create a good habitat for butterflies and their breeding. A few prominent species among these are Commander, Angled Castor, Blue Mormon, Common Blue Bottle, Ape Fly, Common Grass Yellow, Chocolate pansy and more. Special silence zones have been created for beautiful tiny creatures so that they do not get disturbed when they walk on trails of nature.
7. ISCKON Temple Chandigarh
2.4 Kilometres to City Centre
Address: Sector-36B, Chandigarh
Timings: 4:30 AM to 8:00 PM (worship timings are fixed)
Tips:
1. Special feast is organized for the visitors on Sundays
2. Visit early to avoid the rush, avoid public holidays
ISKCON is a prominent religious centre in India. This beautiful temple is dedicated to Lord Krishna and Radha and a place of worship for the followers of International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) (aka Hare Krishna Movement).
The temple can be visited on all days between temple timings and contains beautiful deities of Lord Krishna and Radha. The melodious hymns resound throughout the complex. Lord Krishna’s birthday is celebrated every year with great joy and innumerable devotees come to pay their offerings. A beautiful garden is at the back of the temple and people can be seen strolling there.
Sundays are special as spiritual lectures, hymns are organized and devotees participate in chanting, dancing and feasting.
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