Chandigarh is a planned city of India and is famous for the Punjabi culture and food. The city has a modern and traditional feel to it with a pristine architecture that may be familiar to the western culture. The city is not densely populated and is not crowded and provides a welcome treat from the busy places of the country. It serves as a starting point to the various hill stations of Himachal Pradesh. So if you are for a single day in Chandigarh you need to use this time as effectively as far as possible.
The best time to visit
The summers are really hot so the best time to visit Chandigarh is during the winter months which is from the months of October to February. At this point of time the temperature can range in the bracket of 8 degree Celsius to 25 degree Celsius. The days are fairly warm, but the evenings and the night may be really chilly. In spite of all this winter is the best time to visit Chandigarh.
It is a union territory and a capital of two states Punjab and Haryana. What it means is that you see the cultures of two places at a single place. The city is divided into 47 sectors, though there is no mention about sector 13 as there was a belief that the number was unlucky.
Breakfast
You need to start your day with a delicious breakfast, and indulge in some crispy and hot Amritsar Kulcha with tamarind chutney. You can round it off with a glass of Lassi which is a must when you are in Chandigarh. If you are visiting this place during the weekend there is a chance that the place will be crowded. You may enjoy a glass of masala chai when you are waiting, because it is a well-known fact that chai and cold weather go together.
Head over to Rock Garden and Sukhana Lake
You can take a car or a taxi to your next destination that is the gorgeous Sukhana Lake. This is a place that is hustling and bustling with tourists. One of things that you can do here is to take a lazy boat ride. You can opt for a rowing boat, a paddle boat, or it can be a Shikara ride
After that you can head over to the next destination that is hardly a kilometre away which is the Rock garden. It was built by Nek Chand who was a former road inspector of Chandigarh. It happens to be an open air exhibition with sculptures that is developed from waste material. At this place there is a huge amphitheatre and a waterfall that is a perfect place to click pictures. But you may have to jostle for spaces as this place is always crowded. Such is the creativity of this place that you should experience it at least once.
Shop at Elante Mall
A visit to Chandigarh is incomplete if you do not visit the Elante Mall. This is a famous place for both the tourists and the locals. It happens to be a massive mall where there are numerous shopping options. Everything can be found under a single roof. The place has a massive food court with a variety of cuisines on offer. This happens to be a perfect place where you can hang out with your friends and family. Even if you are not in the best of moods you should visit this place and capture a click with the slogan” I love Chandigarh that is placed outside the mall.
Seek out blessings from Gurudwara Tej Bahadur Sahib
There is no better place to calm your mind than a visit to Gurudwara. If you are not familiar this happens to be the holy worship place for the Sikhs. The positive energy and tranquil at the place could win the hearts of everyone.
There are a few protocols that you need to follow when you visit this place. First you need to take off your shoes, cover your head and before entering inside wash your hands. You may visit and listen to the beautiful Gurbani that is being played in the background. If you have time then you can enjoy langar as a lunch. This is a free vegetarian food that is provided by Gurudwara. The best part about this place is that people from different castes, backgrounds sit together at a common place and have lunch. If you want to devote your services then you can do as well.
Rose garden
Chandigarh is blessed to have beautiful gardens. One of the name that springs up is Zakir Hussain who was the former president of India. If you are travelling in the month of February it is a delight in itself as the flowers tend to bloom at this time.
A rose festival is organized between the months of February and March. During this time there are numerous competitions and events that are being held.
A visit to the local market
A visit to Chandigarh and do not ignore the local market. It is a mere 2 km from the Rose garden and you may experience the hustle and bustle of the Shastri market. The place is famous for its local shops where you can come across a variety of attires to suit your styles. If you happen to be a jewellery lover, there are some creative pieces that you can purchase at this point of time.
When you are here do not forget to much on Gol Gappa. There are some amazing delights and all of them are must try options, but make sure that you have sufficient room in your stomach.
During the festival seasons people from all over the country throng to Chandigarh to enjoy the beauty of the place. So if you are on a budget you can book 3 star Hotels in Chandigarh that will provide you with quality stay during your time here.
