Chandigarh

Chandigarh is a union territory and the capital of the Indian states of Punjab and Haryana. It is administered directly by the central government and has its own elected legislative assembly and a lieutenant governor. The city was conceived as a model capital after India gained independence and was designed as a planned city in the 1950s. The master plan was prepared under the direction of Le Corbusier, with Pierre Jeanneret and Jane Drew contributing to the planning and design. Chandigarh is organized into a system of sectors arranged in a grid, with broad avenues and abundant green spaces. The Capitol Complex, containing key government buildings such as the Legislative Assembly and Secretariat, is a focal point of the city’s modernist architecture.

Geographically, Chandigarh sits at the foothills of the Shivalik range, near the Sutlej River valley. It has a four-season climate, with hot summers, a monsoon season, and cool winters. The economy is dominated by administrative services, information technology, education, and healthcare, with Panjab University and PGIMER among its notable institutions. The population is diverse, with Punjabi and Hindi as official languages and English widely used.

Cultural and recreational sites include the Rock Garden by Nek Chand, Sukhna Lake, Rose Garden, and various museums and cultural centers. Chandigarh is also known for its high quality of life, well-planned streets, and prominence as a regional hub in northern India.