Chandigarh has been referred to as the dream city by the premier Prime minister of India, Mr. Jawahar Lal Nehru. This city had been planned by the well known architect of France, Le Corbusier. Beautifully located at Shivalik foothills, it is one of the best creations among the several urban planning as well as the modern architecture of 20th century in the country.

Chandigarh city got its name from the name of "Chandi Devi", a Hindu Goddess having her presence in Chandi Mandir. 'Chandi', the deity is regarded as goddess of power, apart from this, there is a fort 'garh' which lies beyond this temple giving the city its current name as Chandigarh. There is an interesting past as per the historical evidences of the city are concerned. The present Chandigarh existence has a story behind it. People believe that sloping plains where the city exists today had been a wide lake in the past which was ringed by marshes. The remains in the form of fossils seen at the site are evidences of an array of amphibian and aquatic life which existed there in such an environment. The place had also witnessed the Harappan culture around 8000 years ago.

Since medieval times, this area had been a part of Province of Punjab which had its divisions into East Punjab and west Punjab at the time of partition of India in 1947. This city served the purpose of not only being capital of East Punjab but it also had settled millions of refugees who turned up from the West Punjab.

The Punjab Government in March 1948 consulted with Indian Government and got an approval of taking Shivalik foothills to be the site of new capital. This site was initially the site of district of Ambala according to 1892-93 District Ambala gazetteer. The laying of foundation stone was done in 1952. Therefore, when reorganization of state was going on 01.11.1966, the city got a unique feature of becoming the capital city of two states, Haryana and Punjab and got its declaration as a Union Territory having its direct control under Central Government.

The city is engulfed with serenity and tranquility along with being a tag of 'City Beautiful'. The city of Chandigarh is a great blend of modernization which co-exists with the preservation of nature. It is only in this city that as many plants and trees are planted as are the roads and buildings being planned. This is India’s premier city having prosperous, rich and lush green environment.

Chandigarh Union Territory is situated at the foothills of Shivalik forming a part of eco-system of Himalayas. It has Kandi (i.e. Bhabhar) in the north-eastern direction while Sirowal (i.e. Tarai) along with alluvial plains in the surroundings. There are 2 rivulets draining this area seasonally such as Sukhna Choe in east whereas Patiala-Ki-Rao Choe in west. There are 2 minor streams formed by water divide of central part. This stream which passes through central part is known as N-Choe whereas the Choe Nala initiates at 29th Sector.

The city of Chandigarh is one of the country’s most well planned and systematic cities having a number of attractions for tourists. Some of them being, the Rock Garden constructed and taken care of by Nek Chand. It is a garden having art which remains out of the box as it has been formed out of urban waste. Few other places of interest in Chandigarh are Capitol Complex, Open Hand Monument, Sukhna Lake and the Rose Garden to name a few.

This state comprises of one of the most well developed infrastructures in India. There is a superb network of roads, rail as well as air having its connectivity with all prominent states such as Punjab, Haryana, Delhi and Himachal Pradesh.

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