Chandigarh

Chandigarh is a Union Territory of India and serves as the shared capital of both Punjab and Haryana. Known as "The City Beautiful," it is India's first planned city after independence and is celebrated for its modern architecture, well-organized sectors, wide roads, abundant green spaces, and high quality of life.

Designed by the renowned Swiss-French architect Le Corbusier, Chandigarh is considered one of the finest examples of modern urban planning in the world. The city is also an important center for education, healthcare, information technology, governance, and tourism.

History

1. Following the partition of India in 1947, Lahore became part of Pakistan, leaving Punjab without a capital.
2. The Government of India decided to build a new planned city, leading to the creation of Chandigarh in the early 1950s.
3. American planner Albert Mayer initially prepared the city's master plan, which was later redesigned and completed by Le Corbusier.
4. Chandigarh officially became the capital of Punjab in 1953.
5. After the reorganization of Punjab in 1966, Chandigarh became a Union Territory and the shared capital of both Punjab and Haryana.
6. Today, Chandigarh is recognized internationally for its architecture, urban planning, and sustainable green spaces.

Geography

Chandigarh is located in northern India at the foothills of the Shivalik Hills.

It shares borders with:

1. Punjab
2. Haryana

The Union Territory covers an area of approximately 114 sq km, making it one of India's smallest administrative regions.

Landscape

1. Planned urban sectors
2. Wide tree-lined avenues
3. Parks and gardens
4. Artificial lakes
5. Green belts
6. Foothills of the Shivalik Range

Climate

1. Summer (April–June): 25°C–43°C
2. Monsoon (July–September): Moderate rainfall
3. Winter (November–February): 5°C–22°C

How to Reach

By Air

The city is served by Chandigarh International Airport, located about 12 km from the city center.

Regular flights connect Chandigarh with major Indian cities, including:

1. Delhi
2. Mumbai
3. Bengaluru
4. Hyderabad
5. Chennai
6. Kolkata
7. Ahmedabad
8. Pune
9. Goa
10. Srinagar

International flights are also available to select destinations.

By Rail

The main railway station is:

1. Chandigarh Junction Railway Station

Direct trains connect Chandigarh with:

1. Delhi
2. Amritsar
3. Mumbai
4. Kolkata
5. Jaipur
6. Lucknow
7. Varanasi
8. Jammu
9. Dehradun

By Road

Chandigarh is well connected through an excellent network of national highways, including:

1. NH 5
2. NH 7

Regular government and private buses operate from Delhi, Shimla, Manali, Amritsar, Ludhiana, Jaipur, Dehradun, and other major cities.