Chandigarh, the capital of the northern Indian states of Punjab and Haryana, was designed by the Swiss-French modernist architect, Le Corbusier. His buildings include the Capitol Complex with its High Court, Secretariat and Legislative Assembly, as well as the giant Open Hand Monument. The nearby Rock Garden is a park featuring sculptures made of stones, recycled ceramics and industrial relics.
Rose Garden
Zakir Hussain Rose Garden Asia’s largest Rose Garden and is spreaded over 30 acres of land having over 1600 different species or roses. These have been planted beautifully carved out lawns and flowers beds. Like the cultural zone which is just across the road in sector 10,this was also planned by Dr. M.S. Randhawa as his interest in horticulture and fondness for flowers was profuse. Every year, either at the end of February or beginning of March, a big festival known as Rose Festival, is celebrated at this garden. Over 20,000 people visit this festival. It’s one of the great celebrations in the city. There are lots of competitions, cultural celebrations and many other events.
pread across an area of 30 acres, Rose Garden in Chandigarh is claimed to be the largest rose garden. This huge garden features 50,000 rose bushes and more than 1600 different species. With such an extensive floral variety, this garden is a perfect place for nature lovers who get an opportunity to witness the charming beauty of nature. It is also a good place for a family outing where one can spend quality time with their near and dear ones.
This park also houses a Rose Garden art monument, an auditorium, and a statue of Dr. M.S. Randhawa. There is also a small book cafe inside the garden complex where the book collection of Dr. Randhawa has been put for display.
Apart from the varieties of roses, and unique attractions of the place, Rose Garden in Chandigarh is also famous for hosting a huge annual festival, known as Rose Festival. This festival is held every year at the end of February or the beginning of March and is celebrated with huge pomp and show. This is also the best time to visit the Rose Garden. So, if you happen to visit Chandigarh in February or March, do visit the Zakir Hussain Rose Garden to witness the celebrations of this festival.
Rose Festival is held every year in the last week of February. It is a 3 days show where you get to see a wide variety of colorful roses comprising of more than 800 varieties. The festival is held by the Chandigarh Municipal Corporation. The garden is located in sector 16 of Chandigarh and was built in the year 1967. Apart from roses, the garden even has medicinal plants. The best time to visit Rose Garden in Chandigarh is during the months of February and March.
Rock Garden
Located in sector 1 of the beautiful city Chandigarh, The Rock Garden is a massive open-air exhibition hall that displays sculptures made from urban and industrial wastes that have been designed and executed by Nek Chand, a former Road Inspector in Chandigarh. It is located between the famous Sukhna Lake and the Capitol Building and is a spectacle that is must-visit! Also known as Nek Chand’s Rock Garden, this massive 40-acre garden is a colourful mosaic of art pieces and sculptures. The Rock garden was built in the year 1957 by officer Nek Chand single-handedly in his spare time and has become a long-standing symbol of imagination and novelty in the city. Having a total of about 5,000 statues within its bounds, the Rock Garden in Chandigarh is a true example of ‘Best From Waste’.
The exhibition area of Rock Garden is divided into three different phases that have different types of installations and embellishments in them. Each phase deals with a different type of installations and walking through them is a true delight. From terracotta pots, light fixtures, and even broken toilet pots, the creator – Mr. Nek Chand has truly redefined art and craft!
Sukhna Lake
Sukhna Lake is the most prominent tourist attraction in Chandigarh. It is a beautiful manmade lake that stretches over 3 Km. The vast expanse of this lake enveloped by the blue sky and Shivalik mountain range presents a breathtaking sight. You can choose to boat, stroll or simply sit and relax here. At the front end, you may find some amusement rides for the kids. Adjacent to the rides are a few shops and a cafeteria that usually remain crowded on the weekends. If you want some alone time, visit the dead-end of the lake. To reach the end point, you pass through a fabulous boulevard of trees with a golf course on one side and staircases to different entry points to the lake on another. People are seen walking, exercising and running during the early morning hours and evenings at this place. You may spot a group of college students enjoying a get-together on the staircases of the lake very often.
Pinjore Garden
Pinjore Garden is one of the most scenic attractions of the tri-city of Chandigarh-Panchkula-Zirakpur. It is the best place to visit for tourists who are looking for peace and tranquility during their trip to Chandigarh.
Situated just 23 kilometers from the city centre of Chandigarh, Pinjore Garden is located in the city of Panchkula. Built during the 17th century, this garden was laid down on the lines of Shalimar and Nishat Gardens of Kashmir. It was renamed Yadavindra Gardens after Maharaja Yadavindra Singh, the last ruler of Patiala.
Adorning more than 100 acres of land, Pinjore Garden Chandigarh, is home to a mini zoo, an extensive plant nursery, a Japanese garden, magnificent palaces, and lush green picnic lawns. It is a perfect place for a weekend outing with family and friends. One can relax and rejuvenate amidst the serene surroundings of the gardens. Fountain and light shows are also a special attraction during the weekends. That is why weekends are considered as the best time to visit Pinjore Garden. One can also plan a visit to the Pinjore Garden during weekdays to dodge the huge crowds during weekends.
Some of the most alluring attractions of the Pinjore Garden are the site museum, and heritage train. While the museum displays the history of the garden, the heritage train lets the visitors explore the monuments inside the garden.
Pinjore Garden is also a perfect place for nature enthusiasts who can revel in the serenity of nature amidst the lush green surroundings, and tranquil environment of the garden.
Shantikunj
At a distance of 1.5 km from Chandigarh Bus Station, Shanti Kunj is a peaceful place located between the Rose Garden and the Cricket Stadium in Sector 16 of Chandigarh. It is one of the beautiful gardens to visit in Chandigarh.
Shanti Kunj garden in Chandigarh is situated in a very peaceful place that is free from any noise and pollution. Therefore, it has been rightly named as Shanti Kunj. Large amount of trees and plants in the garden provide soothing effect even in hot summer months. There are numerous herbs and medicinal plants in this garden which provide excellent healing effect. Shanti Kunj garden is divided into five segments by a natural stream flowing through the garden.
This park is flocked by joggers during the early morning and evening hours. Various training programs focusing on national integration, youth empowerment, spiritual awareness and more happen here occasionally. There is also an open air gym at Shanti Kunj which has been developed at a budget of Rs. 10 Lakh. The exercising machines which have been installed at Shanti Kunj to make Chandigarh’s first open air gym include treadmill, legs shaper, abs shaper, shoulder press and more. All machines are manual and hence no electricity will be used to operate these machines.