Named after the Goddess Chandi, this beautifully planned city is one of finest examples of urban development. A union territory and state capital to both Punjab and Haryana, Chandigarh has a unique amalgamation of Punjabi and Jat culture. Called the City of Beauty, Chandigarh is internationally acclaimed for its architecture and urban planning. The near uniform houses and neatly laid out Sectors are some of the finest examples of the work of French architects Le Corbusier and Pierre Jeanneret. Placed on the foothills of the Shivalik Range, Chandigarh serves as a gateway to the gorgeous hill stations of Haryana and even Himachal. But a town is worth a visit for its own fascinating architecture and vibrant local culture.
Like most big cities and tourist hubs, the choice of shopping arcades and glittering goods in Chandigarh is truly mindboggling. One of the richest cities in India, in terms of per capita income, Chandigarh is a good place to shop for branded goods and high-end designer labels. The shopping complexes at Sectors 17, 22 and 35 are the most popular and the place to head to for the compulsive or irreverent shopper. These markets are especially entertaining in evenings, when the open courtyards are full of families and office goers enjoying an evening amidst the coffee shops, restaurants, pubs and handicraft showrooms! But to truly experience the planned 'bazaars' of Chandigarh, head to the City Center. Well planned and neat, like most of Chandigarh, the City Center is a great place to people
watch and shop for Chandigarh souvenirs.
Chandigarh, also called the City Beautiful, prides itself in its architecture and people. The three-day long Chandigarh Carnival held in November of each year is a celebration of the city as a whole. A colorful fiesta organized by the city administration, the Carnival witnesses enthusiastic participation from residents, especially children and senior citizens as well as from surrounding suburbs. Thousands of people participate in the parades and many contests that make up the Carnival Calendar.
Located near the foothills of the Shivalik range of the Himalayas, Chandigarh experiences sub-tropical climate conditions, common to most cities of Northern India. While the summers are hot, the winters are just as cold, with the thermostat swinging from -1 °C at its coldest to 41.2 °C during peak summer. Monsoon showers bring respite but can often be unreliable. But with its proximity to the hills, evenings are always pleasant, you just have to avoid the afternoon sun.
The city sees five distinct seasons: spring, summer, monsoon, autumn and winter. The city blossoms during the spring months of February and March, when the weather is pleasant and temperatures vary between 16 °C to 25 °C (nullmaximum) and 9 °C to 18 °C (nullminimum). Summer begins from April, but peaks in May and June, when it can get as hot as to 40 °C.
The start of the monsoon season towards the end of June and early July does bring some welcome relief, which lasts till September. Rainfall is moderate, though some heavy showers and thunderstorms can be expected. Winter begins from late October. Average temperatures in the winter remain at (nullmax) 7 °C to 15 °C and (nullmin) -2 °C to 5 °C.
Surface - Travelling to Chandigarh by road is very popular. You can drive down or choose from one of the many bus services. National Highways 21 (nullAmbala-Kinnaur) and 22 (nullChandigarh-Leh) are the main roads linking Chandigarh with the rest of the country. Also there a number of inter-state bus services to choose from, such as the state-owned Haryana, Punjab, or Himachal Roadways or one of the many privately operated ones. Buses may be air-conditioned, deluxe, semi-deluxe or basic non-air conditioned. The main bus stations, Inter-State Bus Terminus (nullISBT) is located in Sector 17 and is conveniently connected with the rest of the city.
Train - Chandigarh is well connected with New Delhi by train. The Chandigarh Railway Station is 8 kilometers from the city centre in Sector 17 and easy connections are available from the rest of the city. Regular train service is available on such popular trains as Shatabdi, Jan Shatabdi and Himalayan Queen, all connecting Chandigarh to Delhi. Other trains such as Paschim Express, Sadbhavna, Kerala Sampark Kranti and Chennai Express connect Chandigarh to Mumbai, Lucknow, Kerala and Chennai respectively
Air - The city is well connected by air. The airport, situated about 11 kilometers from the city, is currently operational only for domestic flights. Indian Airlines, Jet Airways, and Kingfisher have regular flights from Chandigarh to most major cities. Taxis are easily available from the airport to the city center.
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