Chandigarh - City of Gardens & Parks

Chandigarh or the City Beautiful as it is popularlyan abundant use of ceramic in the whole area.
known is indeed one of the finest examples of plannedOne of the sculptures from this garden has even
construction with a soul to it. The name Chandigarhappeared on the Indian stamp in the year 1983.
literally translates into "The Fort of Chandi". This wasZakir Hussain Rose Garden: The Chandigarh Rose
termed because the city was established near aGarden or the more popularly known Zakir Gulab Bagh
temple of Goddess Chandi which also had a fort in itsis one of the many gardens which fascinate the visitor.
vicinity. The Hindu Goddess Chandi symbolizes ShaktiThis garden is one of its kinds in the entire Asian region
or power which was what exactly Pt. Nehru wantedgoing by its size. The whole area spreads around to
to show to the world.nearly 27 acres. It was set up in 1967 under the expert
The city was planned and built by Le Corbusier whoguidance of Dr. M. S. Randhawa who was the first
was a French architect. He designed the city on theChief Commissioner of Chandigarh.
lines of the human body with each part symbolizing aThe Rose Garden has more than 1600 species of
particular area. The whole city is planned and isroses which includes both the natural as well as the
considered to be one of the cleanest cities in thehybrid varieties developed through the tissue culture.
country. It is one of the seven Union Territories of theApart from the roses, the garden is also home to
country and serves as a capital for two states, Punjabmany medicinal plants and trees like the Bel, Bahera,
& Haryana, respectively. There are two satellite towns,Harra, Camphor, Yellow Gulmohar and several other
Panchkula and Mohali which are located on thevarieties.
periphery of Chandigarh.Rose Festival is celebrated here every year which is
City Beautiful is a tourists paradise and there are manyattended by thousands of visitors. It is one of the
places which are awe-inspiring and tempting enoughmajor events in the city wherein there are lots of
for a revisit. Each area has its own significance andcompetitions and other cultural celebrations. The best
the very difference compels the visitors to visit all theseason to visit this place is from February through
places.March when the roses are in full bloom.
Chandigarh is one of the greenest cities and this is dueChandigarh Botanical Gardens: Chandigarh can rightly
to the presence of numerous gardens and parksbe called the city of gardens. There are two botanical
located at different points in the city. One of the mostgardens here. One of them is nestled amidst the Rock
significant attractions in the cities is the gardens andGarden and the Sukhna Lake in Sector 1. It stretches
parks dotted all over the place.over an area of 88 acres. The main attraction in this
Some of the most beautiful parks which have beenbotanical garden is the distinct rock formation which
developed in Chandigarh can be described as below:inspires awe in the eyes of the visitor. There is a lily
Nek Chand Rock Garden: This is one of the signaturepool in the garden which lends a very tranquil air to the
landmarks of Chandigarh. The Rock Garden is namedwhole atmosphere with fully bloomed lilies.
after its founder Nek Chand. He was a road inspectorThe second garden is behind the Punjab University.
with the Public Works Department of the state. TheVarious plants like the Cacti and many varieties of
garden was perceived by him in secrecy and wasevergreen and exotic plants are arranged in each
developed in the same manner in 1957.corner. This is also the only place where one can see
But the local authorities came to know about this greatbeautiful lotus flowers.
wonder and the area was renamed as the RockTerraced Flower Garden: The Terraced Flower
Garden. It is a sculpture garden and covers an area ofGarden is located in Sector 33 and is spread out on an
over forty acres. The whole garden is built from thearea of 10 acres. It was set up in 1979 and is also the
waste materials discarded by homes and industries.venue for the annual Chrysanthemum Festival. There
The material has been systematically recycled andare hundreds of varieties of flowers here but the most
used in every part of the garden.enthralling feature is the musical colored fountains
Nek Chand's Rock Garden is designed to look like awhich operate on popular Bollywood and local folk
lost kingdom and it is a complex labyrinth with paths,songs.
gateways, steps, beautiful waterfalls, huge courtyards,Apart from this, there are many other parks too which
and porches. The Garden is located near the Sukhnaattract a lot of tourists as well as the local people to
Lake in Sector 1. There are huge swings in the gardentheir clean, fresh and healthy environs. The name City
which are one of the most fascinating things here.Beautiful is indeed proven to be true due to these
Most of the sculptures are made up of scrap andgardens and parks which play a major role in providing
other kinds of wastes like bottles, glasses, bangles, tiles,clean open spaces and lush greenery.
ceramic pots, sinks and also electrical waste. There is