The most striking thing about the city is the expanse of resplendent blue sky with the mountains in the backdrop. When you are approaching the city, you would see the jagged skyline of the Shivalik Hills looming large over the city and the faint image of an old temple dedicated to Goddess Chandi, from which the city got its name.

Political position of Chandigarh is quite ambiguous for anybody not knowing the city well. It is the capital to two northern Indian states Punjab and Haryana besides being a union territory in itself. The birth of this modern, happening city was an act of anguish and drama that took place at the time of partition of India and Pakistan. Lahore, the earlier capital of Punjab merged with Pakistan and Chandigarh was conceived to be a symbol of India’s freedom. The task of designing the city fell on the shoulders of renowned French architect Edouard ’Le Corbusier’ Jeanneret who created Chandigarh as a city of ”Sun, Space and Verdure” to fulfil basic functions of working, living, and care of body and spirit. Today, the city is home to more than half a million people living in harmonious conditions that are considered to be the best in the country.

There are not many sites of historical importance in Chandigarh as this is one of the most modern cities in the country. A most important site in the city is the Rock Garden, the place that has been captured by millions of cameras. Rose Garden is another important landmark and a part of Leisure Valley, a garland of gardens that ornaments the city. Government Museum and Art Gallery displays some important stone sculptures of ancient India.

Shivalik ranges, the part of Lower Himalayas, offers many natural as well as man-made attractions around Chandigarh. Yadavindra Gardens is modelled after famous Mughal Gardens at the Rashtrapati Bhavan in Delhi. Bhima Devi Temple is part of the Panchayatan group of temples. Bhakra Nangal Dam built over the river Sutlej was described as one of the ”Temples of Modern India” by the first prime minister of India, Jawahar Lal Nehru. Kasauli is a beautiful hill station visited by a large number of people every year. Nallagarh Fort, situated in the state of Himachal Pradesh has been converted in an outstanding heritage hotel recently. Morni Hills, as the name suggests is a beautiful hilly terrain that offers many adventure sport options in its sylvan surroundings. Kalka is not much of a tourist destination but a major train station for reaching the destinations in Himachal Pradesh. Sukhna Lake is the most favoured recreation spot of the people of Chandigarh.