Panchkula

Panchkula is a city and the administrative headquarters of Panchkula district in the Indian state of Haryana. It is part of the Chandigarh Capital Region, along with the union territory of Chandigarh and the city of Mohali, forming a major urban hub in northern India. The city was planned and developed in the late 20th century as a satellite city to Chandigarh, featuring wide avenues, sector-based layouts, and extensive green spaces. It lies at the foothills of the Shivalik range, adjacent to Chandigarh.

Panchkula serves as the administrative center of its district, which was carved from Ambala district in 1995. The city is governed by the Panchkula Municipal Corporation and forms a key part of the Ambala division in Haryana. The urban area blends residential neighborhoods with commercial and institutional zones, and is known for relatively orderly planning compared with older towns in the region.

The economy is driven by services, retail, education, and health care, benefiting from its proximity to Chandigarh. It is well connected by road and rail, and the Chandigarh International Airport in nearby Mohali serves the Chandigarh Capital Region. Panchkula Junction is the main railway station for the city.

Demographically, the area hosts a mix of communities with Hindi as the widely spoken language, along with Punjabi and Haryanvi in pockets. Notable sites include religious and cultural landmarks such as the Mansa Devi Temple on the hillside, and numerous parks and shopping centers within its sectors.

Climate is subtropical, with hot summers, cool winters, and a monsoon season bringing most rainfall from July to September.