CHANDIGARCH
Building Candigarhu, designed by the French architect Le Corbusier, started in years 50. Although tourists from the West agree, that the city is not very interesting and too vast, Indians themselves are very proud of it and take care of it, that it is a perfect place to live.
In fact, Chandigarh proves the originator's lack of panache. Walking around the city, one gets the impression, that a French architect had never been to India, and Candigarhu's project was done while waiting and without thinking. In the city, in which few inhabitants own cars, wide roads and roundabouts dominate. Walking through the crowded streets is practically impossible, and a traditional rickshaw ride is also not a pleasure – shortcuts are not, Unfortunately, an advantage of Indian rickshaw drivers and usually lasts twice as long. Huge parking lots built next to shopping centers would certainly serve drivers in the West, here, however, they stand empty and unused. It is similar with the undeveloped areas of the city, unsightly and so little interesting buildings. In France, parks would certainly be built in their place, however, in Candigarhu, no one had come up with the idea yet.
Orientation and information
Chandigarh is situated at the foothills of Sivalik, on the outskirts of the Himalayas. The city is made up 47 numbered sectors, separated by wide streets. Bus Station, a modern mall and most of the restaurants are in the sector 17. Another proof of the "brilliance" of Le Corbusier's design is the proximity of the train station 8 km from the center. So you have to be prepared for bus travel. travel agency (act. codz., 9.00-17.00; *70-4614) it is located on the first floor of the train station. Punjab To-urism office headquarters (*70-4570) is on the floor above. There is a Haryana Tourism office in sector 17B (*70-2955), a obok hotelu Jul-lundur Himachal Tourism i UP Tourism.
Indian Airlines (Indian Airlines; act. codz., 9.30-19.00, *70-4539) are based in a shopping mall in the sector 17.
Public buildings
The seat of the state governor and the office of the legislature (Vidhana Sabha) are in the sector 1. From the observation deck in the governor's seat, you can see a beautiful panorama of the city (codz., 10.00-12.00).
Rockery
The rock garden, located near the public buildings, is one of Candigarhu's few tourist attractions. A bizarre stone labyrinth of paths dominates the sparse greenery. Since its founding, the garden was constantly expanded. Today, this fancy structure occupies a large area of the city (l.IV-30.IX., 9.00-13.00 i 15.00-19.00, l.X.- 31.III., 9.00-13.00 i 16.00-20.00; 0,50 INR). There is an artificial lake Sukhna near the garden. It will be nice to take a walk around the calculator 2 km of shore, or take a boat trip on the lake (there are rentals).
Museum and art gallery
A modest collection of Indian sculptures in the style of the Gandhara school of the 5th century. neither. and some contemporary works of art have been exhibited in the gallery (codz. with ex. pn.) situated in the sector 10. In the nearby museum (-r.-nd., 10.00-17.00; 0,50 INR) we will see fossils and tools from prehistoric times found during excavations.
Rose Garden
Asia's largest rose garden, tempting with the scent of a thousand varieties of these flowers, located in the sector 16.
Accommodation – the cheapest
Tourists looking for cheap accommodation in Chandigarh have to prepare for very bad conditions. The cheapest accommodation is offered by Panchayat Bhavan (44-385), a huge block steeped in the smell of dirty laundry. For a night in a dorm you pay here 12 INR, and for a stay in a double room 150 INR. Even worse and louder, because right next to the bus station, is at Tourist Rest House, with only one room with four places at its disposal, for 12 INR per person.
The popular Chandigarh Yatri Niwas (54-5904), located at the corner of the sector 15. i 24. The building resembles a youth hostel. The bathroom is shared between two rooms. It is relatively clean and peaceful here. One room- and the double bed is paid accordingly 150 i 200 INR, room with air conditioning costs money 250 INR. Far from here to the center and restaurants, however, there is a canteen on site.
Hotel Jullundur offers definitely the cheapest accommodation (70-6777), opposite the train station. Nice and clean rooms with TV and bathroom with hot water. Prices 230 i 300 INR for a double room- and triple.
Accommodation – average category
At distance 500 m to the northwest of the train station, there are three hotels offering accommodation at reasonable prices. In the cheapest Amara (7O-3608) a double room costs 250 INR (with air conditioning 350 INR); tourists have a restaurant at their disposal. For the same room in Abnara (70-8801) you are already paying 300 INR, and at best of the three, at the Pankaj hotel (70-7906) from 295 do 325 INR.
At the southern edge of the sector 22. is located Hotel Divyadeep (70-5191). The price of the accommodation is from 120 dol50 INR, a room equipped with an air cooling system costs from 170 do 200 INR. Rooms with air conditioning are the most expensive: 220-270 INR. After 10 minutes walk from the bus station will take you to the Aroma Hotel, which has been open for many years (70-0045). You pay approx. 300 INR, apartment with air conditioning costs from 695 do 795 INR. The hotel is clean and well run, guests can enjoy the restaurant and cafe.
Accommodation – the most expensive
Hotel Sunbean is closest to the bus station (70-8107), offering rooms with air conditioning behind 650-850 INR. Piccadilly Hotel nearby (70-7571), in the sector 22. it is usually visited by businessmen. The price of accommodation in a single room- and double is respectively 495 i 627 INR.