Things To Do In Chandigarh
Planning A Trip To Chandigarh? Here's our list of top things to do in Chandigarh
Chandigarh's status as a borderline town between the states of Haryana and Punjab means that it adopts its cultural heritage from both these states. Situated within touching distance of the capital of India, this city has all the ingredients required to allure different types of tourists; from families, solo adventurers, and couples alike. Tourists who visit Chandigarh to discover the people's culture can either cycle through the city's tourist sites, take a ride across the town in a double-decker bus, or ride around one of the city's remarkable monuments. A trip to the Tagore Theatre would also provide a perfect picture of Chandigarh's cultural heritage. Let us check out the exciting things to do when on a tour of Chandigarh.
Go Shopping at Elante Mall
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Elante Mall forms one of the largest shopping hubs in the whole of Northern India. Spanning more than 20 acres, this shopping mall boasts of a commercial facade and a contemporaneous interior. Many tourists who visit Chandigarh are bound to find out that the Elante Mall holds signature status as the fashion hub of the city. The mall offers visitors a wide range of dining options such as Chinese, Continental, and Indian at its welcoming foodcourts. Tourists can also throng the theatre inside the vicinity to watch an English or Hindi movie in their spare time. With so many things to offer, Elante Mall is a must-visit on a tour of Chandigarh.
Discover the Garden of Fragrance
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The Garden of Fragrance offers a perfect getaway destination for locals and tourists who want to escape the daily scurries of city life in Chandigarh. Tourists are sure to stumble upon several floral species, both exotic and native, while on a stroll through this park. Plenty of shrubs and bushes such as Damask Rose, Jasmine, and Nightqueen adorn the winding pathways of Garden of Fragrance. The garden remains at its attractive best come the seasons of Summer and Winter, with flowers blooming all across its expanse. The refreshing greenery of the Garden of Fragrance is blessed with ample space for families to go picnicking and indulge in fun and games.
Offer Prayers at the Mansa Devi Mandir
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Mansa Devi Mandir is perfectly nestled at the base area of the Shivalik Mountain Range. The prime deity in this temple is Goddess Mansa Devi, and she attracts devotees from all parts of India. One particular highlight of this temple is a tree to which the faithful attach sacred strings to ask the Goddess to fulfill their wishes. Tourists and local inhabitants throng Mansa Devi Mandir in large numbers during the festival of Navratri. Mansa Devi Mandir also hosts free Bhandara for the followers regularly. Boasting of a picturesque background, and splendid surrounding greenery, this shrine is a must-visit for every ardent Hindu devotee.
Explore the Waters of Sukhna Lake
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Sukhna Lake is a refreshing reservoir that graces the base areas of the Shivalik Mountains. The local authorities have brought in a delightful small cruise imported right from Japan. Tourists can explore the stunning landscapes that reside around Sukhna Lake, seated inside the lavish and comfortable Japanese cruise boat. The conventional Shikara boats also allow visitors to tread through the lake waters in luxury as a professional driver takes care of proceedings. Organizers also offer tourists with splendid paddle boating options. These paddle boats comprise two-seater and four-seater rides that can either last for 30 minutes or an hour.
Visit the Chandigarh Ayurvedic Center
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Chandigarh Ayurvedic Center has been one of the first Indian medical hubs to make significant advances in the field of Ayurveda. Vaidya Jagjit Singh founded this ayurvedic center back in the 1980s, with the sole aim being excellent care of the convalescents. The age-old ayurvedic treatment methods concentrate on holistic therapy and stabilizing the entire body. Several tourists who visit India in search of vigorous treatment for their instabilities could find solace at Chandigarh Ayurvedic Center. Their 100 percent of herbal medicines have helped cure chronic as well as acute diseases such as Eczema, Piles, Asthma, and PCOD.
A Ride around the Open Hand Monument
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The Open Hand Monument is a popular site around Chandigarh, blessed with a driveway that was created to memorialize peace and well-being. The signature figurine of an open hand symbolizes the prospect of all humankind living in unity and fostering strong brotherhood. Marvelously sculpted by Le Corbusier, the monument resembles optimism through its open palm. Open Hand Monument rises to a dizzying height of 85 ft and forms an epitome of the giving nature of Chandigarh's local inhabitants. It is rejuvenating to catch a sight of the Open Hand Monument while it rotates with the heavy breeze.
Watch a Play at Tagore Theatre
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Founded in 1962, Tagore Theatre is one of the most significant playhouses in the whole of Chandigarh. This theatre was built by the Indian Government to pay tribute to the versatile artist, Rabindranath Tagore. Tagore Theatre boasts of state-of-the-art facilities meant for hosting indoor events. The prime auditorium provides ample space for group rehearsals, while the green room offers a perfect bookstore. The prime playhouse here can host a maximum of 800 attendees per event. Tourists who visit Chandigarh can surely get a sneak peek into Indian culture by attending one of the drama plays, musical festivals, or cultural programs at Tagore Theatre.
Explore City Museum
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City Museum in Chandigarh was constructed in 1997 to mark the 50th anniversary of Indian Independence. The main aim behind creating this art gallery was to collect, save, and showcase the preparation and architectural enhancements that formed a part of the innovative urban planning carried out throughout Chandigarh. Tourists can view the entire roadmap that the city went through to become well-planned through the plans, models, sketches, and photographs displayed in the gallery. City Museum also hosts artifacts that provide a gist of India's partition woes within its basement. On their visit to the museum, tourists can obtain a clear picture of the Chandigarh of today and tomorrow.
Witness Chandigarh's Charm atop a Cycle
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Any ardent traveler would confess that the best way to get acquainted with the local culture of a town is by taking a cycle ride through that city. Similarly, cycling past Chandigarh's well-planned roadways is a rider's treat. A local organization named Chandigarh by Cycle runs many cycling trips for tourists across the city's architectural specimens and stunning landscapes. Some of the tourist spots covered along this beautiful journey include Leisure Valley, Chandigarh War Memorial, and Rose Garden. Visitors can pick and choose between a bicycle ride along the picturesque edges of Sukhna Lake or a trip around the tremendous Open Hand Monument.
Travel atop Ho-Ho Buses
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Thanks to Chandigarh's impeccable architectural planning and infrastructural design, tourists are blessed with clean and tidy avenues as well as transport options. Forming the lifeline of Chandigarh's neat transport services are the sparkling red double-decker buses that throng the city. Eye-catching pictures of some of the major tourist destinations in Chandigarh deck up these public transport buses. One of the highlights of these local buses is their open-air rooftop sections. Tourists have the liberty to hop off the Ho-Ho Buses whenever they wish to explore a tourist spot and hop back onto the bus when they are done. It is a refreshing experience to witness Chandigarh from the top of these unusual vehicles.