The beautiful city of Chandigarh is quite distinct from the rest of India and is amongst the first and best planned cities of the country. It is the capital of both Haryana and Punjab, but the city itself is not part of either state, since it is a Union Territory administered directly by the Central Government.

Chandigarh is a city that has attracted people from different parts of the country, but the most commonly spoken language in this city is Punjabi. The locals of Chandigarh are very jovial and love to live life to the fullest. The Baisakhi festival has a lot of significance for the people of Punjab and marks the beginning of harvest season. When it comes to food, traditional Punjabi cuisine cooked with excess use of butter, cream and spices are very popular. In the category of beverages, one name that truly deserves a mention is the Punjab-di-Lassi!

Best time to visit:

Since Chandigarh is located in the plains, it enjoys a moderate weather similar to other North Indian cities. The best time to visit Chandigarh is the period between August and November, when the weather is neither too hot nor too cold.

Top five places to see:

Leisure Valley – For those who love soaking in the green surroundings, Leisure Valley comprises of a variety of beautiful themed gardens that adorn the city from one end to another. The popular Rose Garden of Chandigarh, the largest garden of Asia, is a part of the Leisure Valley.

The Open Hand Monument – 'The Open Hand' is one of the most impressive monuments in Chandigarh and is one of the largest of Le Corbusier's many 'Open Hand' sculptures. The significance of the Open Hand ('La Main Ouverte' in French) is that it conveys the social message of peace and unity.

International Dolls Museum – This unique museum, situated in Sector 23 of Chandigarh, has a vast collection of dolls and puppets from all over the world. It is open throughout the week for public, except on Sundays.

Capitol Complex – One of the most visited places in Chandigarh, the Capitol Complex comprises of the headquarters of the Government of Punjab as well as Haryana and consist of three main edifices, namely, the Secretariat, the Legislative Assembly and the High Court. The three buildings of the Capitol Complex stand majestically representing themselves as the temples of democracy of free India.

Rock Garden – Being the unique garden that it is the Rock Garden is perhaps the most frequented tourist attraction in the city. Situated near the Capitol Complex, it is spread over an area of around 12 acres and comprises of art objects that have been made from industrial and urban waste material.