Blessed with the resplendent Blue Shivalik Hills, Chandigarh enjoys the special status of being the Capital of two states Punjab and Haryana and also a Union Territory controlled by Central Government. The city was conceived in the 1950s and a European modernist architect was engaged to plan it. It has derived its name from an ancient temple dedicated to the Goddess Chandi. The Chandigarh city boasts of several beautiful and well-maintained gardens that are a treat to the eyes. It is worth visiting in itself and also acts as a base for further excursions in North India.

Area: 69.63 sq km

Population: 5,10,565(approx.)

Places to see:

• Nek Chand Rock Garden: Spread over 12 acres of wooded land near the Capitol Complex, the Rock Garden of Chandigarh is the creation of a humble road inspector called Nek Chand. The urban waste material turned into creative patterns and textures, mute rocks turned into art objects that attract tourists to Chandigarh.
• Sector 17: One of the most important places to visit is Sector 17, Chandigarh's sleek shopping area and the city center. Planned around four pedestrian concourses meeting at a central chowk (intersection), the Sector 17 of Chandigarh is a pedestrian's paradise. It is dotted with fountains, sculptures, and groves of trees. In the evenings, when the colorful mosaic of neon signs and the aesthetically illuminated fountains come alive, Sector 17 becomes the Chandigarh city's biggest outdoor club.
• Capitol Complex: The monumental Capitol Complex at Sector 1 dominates the skyline of Chandigarh. Standing aloof at the foothills of the city of Chandigarh, like the Grecian Acropolis, the geometrical concrete buildings rise from the mounds as giant playful sculptures. The places to be visited in the Capitol complex of Chandigarh are the three major buildings of the Secretariat, the Assembly, and the High Court. Between the silhouettes of these magnificent edifices is juxtaposed the Chandigarh city's most popular visible symbol, the Open Hand.
• The Secretariat: The largest building in the Capitol Complex of Chandigarh is the 750-ft-long and 150-ft-high Secretariat designed as a work place for nearly 4,000 people. Le Corbusier, who was very sensitive to nature, as a salute to the majesty of the mountains, placed the Secretariat perpendicular to the nearby Shivalik range, so as not to obliterate their panoramic view.

• By Air: Chandigarh is connected to Delhi and Amritsar by Indian Airlines flights. The Chandigarh airport is 11 km away from the main city.
• By Rail: The Chandigarh railway station is 7 km away from the city center. It is well connected to the major cities of India like Delhi (238 km), Bikaner (575 km), and Jodhpur (827 km).
• By Road: Chandigarh is well connected by road to almost every small or big town in northern India. Frequent buses ply from Chandigarh to Punjab, Delhi, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, and even Rajasthan. One has a varied choice that includes luxury buses, ordinary buses and taxis, all readily available.