Chandigarh is the city and the union territory of the northern part of India which also tends to serve as the capital of the states of Punjab and Haryana.
This was the first city properly planned after the partition of the subcontinent in 1947.
The city of Chandigarh is renowned worldwide for its superb architecture and style and urban design.
Filled with history and many other lovely sights this city is an amazing place for spending a holiday.
Best time to Visit Chandigarh?
Chandigarh being a part of the South Asian continent faces very well defined climates and weather which range from winter, summer, spring and autumn with heavy monsoons during the summers.
Winters last from the month of November till the month of February where the maximum temperature lies within the range of 7 to 20 degrees Celsius but the minimum range is within 2 and 5 degrees Celsius.
The frost can become an issue during this season in the city of Chandigarh but if you are well equipped you can enjoy this weather too.
The summers are from the months of March till May with the temperatures lying within 35 and 45 degrees Celsius making it too hot outside for sightseeing.
This season is usually avoided for travelling in the city.
The monsoon season lasts from the month of June till the end of August.
The weather is highly humid but temperatures are slightly reduced in the summers due to the heavy rainfall.
However, this rainfall does not allow roaming around the city and exploring it.
The season of autumn is a highly moderate season in the city which I considered ideal for tourism.
The temperature is pleasant with barely any rainfall.
The months from September till March become ideal months for visiting the city and sightseeing.
Best things to do in Chandigarh
These are the top attractions and my favorite things to do when I was in the city of Chandigarh…
Rock Garden
The most acclaimed part of Chandigarh is the Rock Garden which consists of urban and traditional art designed from the waste of the industrial and other parts of the city.
It is nestled right within 20 acres of wooded forests of the city.
The Rock Garden is like an open air exhibition which displays the wondrous arts of the area right in the middle of such serene surroundings.
A little farther away from the main city this place is ideal to roam around and admire the beautiful works fashioned from the waste.
There is a theatre trove and a miniature maze right in this little fantasy place which is an area of great at and landscape combined.
The entrance of the area leads to a place with rocks, boulders and broken chinaware, discarded fluorescent tube lights, glass bangles, coal and clay all used in such a way to create a place with village folk, palaces, monkeys, temples and women.
The place is further enhanced by a waterfall, pools and a proper stage set up where several performances have been held.
Go through this marvelous little land in the middle of Chandigarh and be entranced.
Fun things to do in Chandigarh
ISKCON Chandigarh Sri Sri Radha Madhav Temple
If you are looking for some great religious and typical experience of India in the city of Chandigarh, then this is the place to visit.
Highly clean and well kept with festivals and services carried out every day this temple is peaceful.
Go here and view the religious ceremonies carried out by the people who visit the place almost on a daily basis.
There is also a small Prasad or favor given at the ISKCON Chandigarh Sri Sri Radha Madhav Temple which is a namkeen halwa (salty porridge) which is delectable.
It is considered to be the blessing of Krishna at the temple and everyone paying their respects at the temple is given the Prasad.
For some peace of mind visit this place which has the special religious dances and aartis after the people are done praying which are actually worth watching and to learn more about the culture and heritage of the people.
The ISKCON Chandigarh Sri Sri Radha Madhav Temple is a beauty worth visiting.
So jot it down on your list.
What else to do in Chandigarh?
Zakir Hussain Rose Garden
The Zakir Hussain Rose Garden is the largest rose garden found within Asia which is spread over more than 30 acres of land all blooming with the loveliest of flowers growing within it.
Walking in this garden you will find more than 1600 different species of roses properly cultivated.
The lawns and flower beds have been very precisely and beautifully carved out in such a way that they are absolutely gorgeous to look at with the colorful roses blooming in the soil.
The designed lawns and beds add to the beautiful landscape of the Zakir Hussain Rose Garden which is a great relief from the hustle and bustle of the main city.
This garden was planned and designed by Dr.
M.
S.
Randhawa whose love for horticulture and love for flowers was immense.
At the end of February or at the beginning of March a very large and grand festival known as the Rose Festival is celebrated here in this garden.
This festival hosts more than 20000 people at the same time.
This lovely retreat is great for a peaceful day while enjoying roses and natural beauty.
My favorite things to do around Chandigarh
Sukhna Lake
This beautiful man-made lake of Chandigarh is a wonderful and major tourist attraction of the city.
The view of the Sukhna Lake is absolutely ravishing and leaves the viewer speechless with its beauty.
It is located right in the foothills of the Himalayan Mountains and has a very majestic appearance.
The water in the lake is seasonal from the rains and from the streams from the melting snows of the mountains in the summer.
Regardless of these things the scenic view from the Sukhna Lake is worth watching and enjoying.
You can go for boating, rowing, kayaking, water skiing, sculling and sailing at this lake as all these facilities and opportunities are provided by different places around the lake.
In the winter you will find many rare and exotic birds around the lake which migrate from different areas, giving the lake a more regal and royal impression.
Go to the Sukhna Lake to spend a lovely day by the side and enjoy all the activities here.
Famous things to see in Chandigarh
Government Museum and Art Gallery
The famous Government Museum and Art Gallery of Chandigarh was built right after the partition in August of 1947 and owes much to this day.
It is one of the most premiere institutions of India which has a vast and a very rich collection of Gandharan sculptures, Rajasthani paintings and many more priceless objects.
Most of the items found in the museum were first housed in the Central Museum of Lahore pre-partition but were moved here after 1947.
The sculptures found in the gallery date back to thousands of years and are a lovely sight to those who enjoy contemporary art.
Go about the museum and be enthralled by the amazing pieces of history and art is has to exhibit.
Fun Tourist activities in Chandigarh
Le Corbusier Centre
If you are really interested in revealing the stories of the city of Chandigarh and dwelling in its past then the Le Corbusier Centre is the one place that you must visit.
This museum type places takes history back to when the city was being designed and planned by the architect of Chandigarh, Le Corbusier.
This place is located in his office in Sector 19 of the city and has been well maintained to keep the history of the city alive and to carry it on through the people.
Walking through the Le Corbusier Centre you will find many rare documents, anecdotes, sketches, maps, models and photographs of the urban planning and insights of the city that was being built at that time.
Roaming around you will find many other priceless pieces from the history of the city which have been preserved.
You will find a souvenir shop which sells the reproductions and copies of many of these historic artifacts.
Buy some of these and keep them as a reminder.
So don’t wait and learn how the city of Chandigarh came into being.
My favorite stuff to do in Chandigarh
Timber Trail
If you want an exciting part of your trip with some very scenic views and lovely adventures, then make a trip to the Timber Trail which is located in the Parwanoo part of the Himalayas.
About 35 kilometers away from the main city of Chandigarh lies this amazing Timber Trail for people who are seeking to get away from the hubbub and noise of the busy city.
The trail is spread on two hills with cable cars linking the two hills and making it easier to go from one point to the other.
There are three different resorts all located at about 5000 feet in the snow capped peaks of the Himalayas.
The lovely view from this trail and the mountains is something that is really worth remembering and capturing.
The Timber Trail provides the adrenaline rush and the hiking adventure that everyone wants.
See the meandering river flowing between the two hills and enjoy the lovely cool greenery that surrounds the place.
So get your physical activity going and get going on this adventure to the mountains of Chandigarh.
Cool Things to do in chandigarh with Kids
Butterfly Park
The Butterfly Park is one of the most famous gardens of the city of Chandigarh.
This city has many lovely gardens and grounds to boast and this garden is one of these.
This wonderful park is spread over an area of more than 7 acres with such amazing landscaping and designing that leaves the visitors speechless and in awe.
The Butterfly Park is specially named because the very vibrant and colorful flowers that bloom in this garden provide a perfect habitat for various kinds and species of butterflies to live in.
While walking in this lovely place you will be amazed by the colors filled around the park with the butterflies and the flowers.
This is a great place to enjoy the marvel and beauty of nature with very serene surroundings.
Plan a picnic here.
Find a nice spot in the park to read a book or just lie down in a cool spot to relax.
After a hectic day of walking around in the city this is the place where you want to go and relax.
Head out and enjoy the lovely nature the city has to offer.
Garden of Fragrance
This is another one of the most visited spots for tourists with some lovely natural beauties to look at and enjoy.
This garden is named so because of the exotic species of plants that grow here and which have a very strong and pleasant smell which leaves the air in the garden very refreshing for people walking around and visiting it.
A little away from the busy city of Chandigarh the Garden of Fragrance is dotted with very pleasant smelling flowers like the damask roses and lilies which are both beautiful to look at and smell.
This place is another nature surrounded place where one can seek relaxation after a very tiring day and just sit here inhaling the very soothing perfumes of the various flowers growing here.
Make this park a must visit and enjoy the amazing opportunity of experiencing this lovely piece of art and nature spread over a huge area.
Terraced Garden
The city of Chandigarh is filled with lovely gardens and peaceful places to relax and one of such gardens is the Terraced Garden.
The garden is famous for its variety of the colorful flowers called Chrysanthemums which are a highlight in this garden.
This garden is mostly used by locals for walking and jogging around.
The garden has sheds and places to sit with benches and tables with small cafes and canteens around where you can grab some snacks and relax in the mists of the lovely sights of the flowers growing around.
The Chrysanthemum flower show is held annually in the month of December and many people attend this festival.
The Terraced Garden is an excellent escape from the heavily populated city of Chandigarh and a great relief for the eyes.
The flowers and the landscape are all beautiful to look at.
So plan a day where you can spend some time here in this lovely garden and relax.
What else to see in Chandigarh?
Thunder zone
The Thunder zone Water and Amusement Park located in the city of Chandigarh is an excellent way of spending some fun and quality time with your family and children.
This place is filled with many water activities and rides along with many other rides which are super fun and also a wave pool where you can go and relax with your kids.
Thunderzone is a great way to do some other activities rather than just sightsee in the city.
There is also a food joint inside where you can find some really good snacks to munch on while you spend your time here.
If you go in the summer season then this is a great way to escape from the heat with all the exciting water rides and pools.
Visit this place and enjoy with your family and make your trip more fun.
International Dolls Museum
Make your trip more interesting and fun by visiting the International Dolls Museum
located in the main city of Chandigarh.
This museum unlike any other has a collection of various kinds of dolls and puppets from all eras and regions of the world, making it a very different and exotic place to visit.
Established in the year of 1985 this museum has become a hotspot of locals and a major tourist attraction.
Spending your entire day in a gallery filled with dolls and puppets is one of the oddest and fun ways to spend your holiday.
These dolls and puppets reflect different cultures and history of the countries they belong to.
Going through this museum can be a little bit creepy with all the dolls’ eyes just staring at you; but the best part is enjoying the colors they wear and the lovely costumes they adorn.
This place is also fun for children who will enjoy the various kinds of dolls exhibited.
So make a visit to this queer little museum in sector 23 of Chandigarh and enjoy.
With all the exotic stories and tales of India, the city of Chandigarh is filled with some lovely cultural displays from across the country.
The museum of the city exhibits culture and history that dates back to thousands of years back.
The gardens and the parks are the main attraction of the city which make it more beautiful and entrancing for the tourists.
The Timber Trail going all the way to the Himalayan Mountains is an exciting part of the city which one should surely not miss out on if visiting the city.
Visit the Sukhna Lake for some lovely scenery.
To learn more about how the city was built, visit the Le Corbusier Centre which has the entire history of Chandigarh wrapped around in the office of the famous architect.
Make your vacations thrilling and go though the city to explore more and find more.
Don’t forget to have fun and make your holiday one of the best you ever had!
