Chandigarh was designed by a team of internationally acclaimed architects led by the imitable Frenchman Le Corbusier. The team included Pierre Jeauneret England’s E.Maxwell Fry and Jane Drew, among others. It was planned like Brasilia solely as a capital.

After the Partition in 1947, when Lahore, the original capital of the Punjab, went to Pakistan, both Shimla and Jullundhur were used as seats of Government. When it was decided to start from scratch, the site for Chandigarh, at the base of the shivalik hills, was selected for its good soil and water supply, accessibility and beauty.

In 1966, when the state of Haryana was created from the already truncated Punjab, Chandigarh became the capital of Punjab & Haryana.

WHAT TO SEE:

GOVERNMENT COMPLEX:
The focal point of Chandigarh is the Government complex at the City’s northern end. The Secretariat, an elonged structure, cost rs.15 million to be built in the 50s.The nicest part of the garden in the terrace garden. Nearby is the multipillard High Court, with its stucco sun screens, stands in a reflecting pool.

THE CULTURAL ZONE:
In the western part of the town, the zone has a museum and an excellent art gallery. Connected with the cultural sector is a park in which colleges situated.

GARDEN OF NEK CHAND:
Almost in the shadow of Le Corbusier’s Geometric buildings in sector 1is the extra-ordinary 12-acregarden of Nek Chand,the highly talented, self-taught artist who has created an epic out of junk.

ZAKIR ROSE GARDEN:
In sector 16 is the handsomely landscaped Zakir Rose garden. With 30 acres it’s supposed to be the largest garden in ASIA.

THE LAKE:
A huge artificial lake where you can boat, stroll leisurely along the shore, or fish.

EXCURSION:

MUGHAL PINJORE GARDENS:
Travel 16 km. from Chandigarh and you will find yourself back in the 17th century at the Mughal Pinjore Gardens. They are cool and green and as carefully planned as Chandigarh but delightfully frivolous compared with the well-planned city. The Pinjore gardens, once the preserve of the Maharaja of Patiala, are now a popular picnic spot.

STANDARD SIGHTSEEING TOURS:
Chandigarh was designed by Le Corbusier –The famous French architect, Half day tour includes visit to the Secretariat, high Court, State Libarary, Assembly Chambers, Rose gardens, University, Botanical garden and the beautiful Lake.