Chandigarh, the 1st planned modern city of India designed by the French architect Le Corbusier serves as the capital of both Punjab and Haryana. However this beautiful city of gardens set against the backdrop of the great Siwalik mountains, neither belong to both the states. It was constituted as a union territory on 1st November, 1966 and is administered by the Government of India. The city named after the goddess of power, Chandi Devi, is divided into various sectors and has well-laid roads lined with rows of trees and beautifully planned buildings.

Climate of Chandigarh :
Chandigarh has a sub-tropical continental monsoon climate characterized by a seasonal rhythm: hot summers, slightly cold winters, unreliable rainfall and great variation in temperature (0 °C to 46.5 °C). In winter, frost sometimes occurs during December and January. The average annual rainfall is recorded at 617 mm. The city also receives occasional winter rains from the west.

Attractions of Chandigarh :
» Sukhna Lake, Rock Garden- Chandigarh

» Vatika Gardens and Musical fountains- Panchkula

» Pinjore gardens- Pinjore

» Nada Sahib Gurudwara- Nada, Panchkula

Getting to Chandigarh :
» By Air - Indian Airlines, Jet Airways and more recently Air Deccan have daily flights to Delhi. Indian Airlines flies to Mumbai with a stopover at Delhi. Indian and Jet while Deccan is a budget carrier and is priced lower.Recently MDLR Airlines has started its regular operations to Delhi which shall soon expand to Ranchi and Kolkata via Delhi.

» By Rail - Chandigarh is well connected by train. It has a medium sized railway station on the outskirts of the city. It lies on Kalka-Ambala route which are impotant railheads. Kalka offers uphill journey to shimla via the narrow gauge.

There is frequent service to and from New Delhi. The popular trains connecting New Delhi include Shatabdi Express (twice daily) and the economical Jan Shatabdi Express (except sunday).Shatabdi Express is quite popular and it is better to have an advanced reservation atleast 2-3 days prior to the journey.

» By Road - Chandigarh is served by two bus terminals. The Inter State Bus Terminus in Sector 17,provides connectivity to all major destinations in the neighboring states Himachal Pradesh,Punjab,Haryana,Uttaranchal,Jammu and Delhi.