BEAUTIFUL CHANDIGARH

 At a glance (introduction)

Chandigarh, the dream city of India’s first Prime Minister, Sh.Jawahar Lal Nehru, was planned by the famous French architect Le Corbusier. Picturesquely located at
the foothills of Shivaliks, it is known as one of the best experiments in urban planning and modern architecture in the twentieth century in India.

Historical significance (Background) :

Chandigarh derives its name from the temple of “Chandi Mandir” located in the  vicinity of the site selected for the city.

 The deity ‘Chandi’, the goddess of power and a fort or  garh laying beyond the temple gave the city its name” (Chandigarh-The City Beautiful). 

found at the site indicate a large variety of aquatic and amphibian life which was supported by

that environment. 

   About 8000 years ago the area was also known to be a home to the Harappans.  

Since the medieval thru’ modern era, the area was part of the large and prosperous Punjab Province which was divided into East & West Punjab during partition of  

the country in 1947. 

 The city was conceived not only to serve as the capital of East Punjab,

but also to resettle thousands of refugees who had been uprooted from West Punjab

.

 In March, 1948, the Government of Punjab, in consultation with the Government of India, approved a 114.59 sq. kms. tract of land at the foothills of the Shivaliks as the site for  the new capital. 

 The location of the city site was a part of the erstwhile Ambala district as per  the 1892-93 gazetteer of District Ambala.

 The site was selected by Dr. M.S. Randhawa, the then Deputy Commissioner of Ambala. Before the new city came up, the original site had about 59 villages. 

The foundation stone of the city was laid in 1952.

Physiography(Geology) :

The Union Territory of Chandigarh is located in the foothills of the Shivalik hill ranges in the north, which form a part of the fragile Himalayan ecosystem. It is occupied by Kandi  (Bhabhar) in the north east and Sirowal (Tarai) and alluvial plains in the remaining part. 

The  subsurface formation comprises of beds of boulders, pebbles, gravel, sand, silt, clays and  some kankar. 

The area is drained by two seasonal rivulets viz. Sukhna Choe in theeast and  Patiala-Ki-Rao Choe in the west. The central part forms a surface water divide and has two  

minor streams. The stream passing through the central part is called N Choe and the other is Choe Nala which initiates at Sector 29.

Climate :

Chandigarh falls under Koeppen's Cwg category i.e. it has cold dry winter, hot summer and sub tropical monsoon. Evaporation usually exceeds precipitation and the  weather is generally dry. 

• The area experiences four seasons:  Summer or hot season (Mid-March to Mid-June)
  
• Rainy season (late-June to mid-September
  
  
  
  
  
•  Post monsoon autumn/transition 
  
• season (mid September to mid-November)
• (Winter (mid November to mid-March).

 The dry spell of summer is long but with occasional drizzles or thunder storms. May and June are 

the hottest months of the year with mean daily maximum & minimum temperatures being about 37oC &25oC, respectively. Maximum temperatures can rise up to 44oC.

  Southwest monsoons with high intensity showers commence in late June.

The weather at this time is 

hot and humid. The variation in annual rainfall on year to year basis is appreciable i.e. 700 mm 

to1200 mm. The 20 year average rainfall for Chandigarh is 1100.7 mm.

 January is the coldest  month with mean maximum and minimum temperatures being around 23o C and 3.6o C  respectively.

 Winds are generally light and blow from northwest to southeast direction with exception of easterly to southeasterly winds that blow on some days during the summer  season.

 City profile:

The Master Plan of Chandigarh

Le Corbusier conceived the master plan of Chandigarh as analogous to human body,with a clearly defined head (the Capitol Complex, Sector1), heart (the City Centre,

Sector 17), lungs (the leisure valley, innumerable open spaces and sector greens), the intellect

(the cultural and educational institutions), the circulatory system (the network of roads, the 7

Vs) and the viscera (the Industrial Area). 

Concept of the city:

The concept of the city is based on four major functions : living, working, care of the body mind and spirit and circulation. 

     

            The Leisure Valley, Gardens, Sector Greens and Open Courtyards etc. are for the care of body and spirit. The circulation system comprises of 7different types of roads . Later on a pathways for cyclists called V8 were added

to this circulation system.

      The Capitol complex comprises four architectural masterpieces: out of which the“Secretariat”, the “High Court” and the “Legislative Assembly”, are realized while the

Museum of Knowledge earlier planned as Governer’s Palace is likely to be realised. In the

heart of the Capitol Complex stands the giant metallic sculpture of ‘The Open Hand’, the official emblem of Chandigarh, signifying the city's credo of “open to give, open to receive”.

      The city centre (Sector 17)

is the central business district and is located in the heart of Chandigarh. It comprises the Inter-State Bus Terminus, Parade Ground, District Courts,Police Village etc. on one hand, vast business and shopping center on the main pedestrian

piazza and the bank square at another end. The 4-storey concrete buildings house banks and

offices above and showrooms/shops at the ground level with wide pedestrian piazzas. The Neelam piazza in the center has fountains with light and water features.

Beauty of city:.

Rajendra Park, Sector 1:

 It is a vast stretch of land about 400 acres, adjoining Secretariat building on the eastern side. Le Corbusier designed the landscape

scheme of this park. It was started in 1954

. Trees and round canopies and evergreen foliage have been planted here. It is commonly used for long walks,outdoor yoga, learning to drive and horse riding.. Mango Garden Sector:1:

 It is situated in sector in sector 1 in an area about 100

acres. Its main attraction of mango trees.

 Botanical Garden, Sector 1 : 

It is situated between the Rock Garden and Sukhna lake and is spread over 88 acres.

Its rockeries, lily-pools and rare species covered

in green houses draw garden lovers and botanists.

 

Bougainvillea Park, Sector 3 :

 It is situated in sector 3 in an area of about 20 acres.The natural choe starts from here. About 65 different varieties of bougainvillea shrubs are planted here. It was started in 1976. A few flowering trees have also been planted here.

 Jawaher Park, Sector 9 :

 It is situated in sector 9-B in an area of about 5.18 acres

.The main attraction of the garden is lily plants.

 Fitness Trails and the Flower Garden, Sector 10 : 

Situated in sector 10 Physical

Fitness Trails have been developed with a view to enjoying physical exercises. Itwas started in 1965 and then redeveloped in 1985.

Cultural activities and exhibitions are also organised here.

 Poinsettia & Lxora Garden, Sector 11: 

it is situated in sector:11 on an over 6.11acres land in Sector:11. The main attraction of the garden is Poinsettia and lxora flowers.

 Botanical Garden Panjab University, Sector 14 : This Garden has about 225 types of trees and shrubs. It is spread over an area of about 16 acres and was started in

1961.

One corner of this Garden is devoted to cacti and succulent plants, in another corner of the garden are grown evergreen and exotic plants. There is also a lotus corner in the garden.

Floral Garden, Sector 15:

 It is situated in centre of Sector:15-A & B. It is spread over an area of about 5.02 acres land. The main attraction of the garden is different type of plants & one no. multi play system for enjoyment of children.

Cycas Palm Garden, Sector:15: 

It is situated in corner of Sector:15-C on about 2.68 acres area. It is inaugurated in November, 2010 and main attraction of this garden is Cycas Palm Plants

. It is surrounded by V-3 and V-4 on two sides and slope has been maintained for landscaping and also known as L-shape park.

Zakir Rose Garden, Sector 16: Spread over 42.07 acres, Rose Garden in sector 16 is said to be the largest in Area acclaimed for 45000 plants representing 582 varieties of roses as well as several fountains.

It is truly magnificent during Rose

Festival (Now Festival of Gardens) hosted each year to mark the arrival of spring.Emphasis was also given on the trees of medicinal value.

Shanti Kunj, Sector 16:

 It is situated between the Rose Garden and the Cricket Stadium in sector 16 stretch of the Leisure Valley in an area of about 15.25 acres.The natural stream running through the garden divides the park into five areas,each part depicts different kinds of threes such as medicinal plants, vertical shaped threes, flowering trees, trees for shade and environmentally friendly trees.

Parrot Garden, Sector:21:

 It is situated in Sector:21 A & B on approximate 4.75 acres area. Naturally it is the favourite place for morning and evening walk and as the name given, the old trees of this garden are home place for thousand of parrots

.

Dream Park, Sector 23:

 It is situated in sector 23-D in an area of about 3.60. Its main attraction is different type of plants.

Bulbous Garden, Sector 23: 

It is situated in sector 23 in an area of about 3.65 acres and was opened in 2000. Its main attraction is shaded trees, bulbous plants,

footpaths, lights, distribution & sprinkler system.

Bamboo Valley, Sector 23:

 Spread over 27.7 acres of land along the N-Choe passing through Sector:23-A between Children Traffic Park & Government High

School and was opened in February, 2007. This land has 15 species of trees besides bamboo groves along the seasonal names as Bamboo Valley. The main attraction of Bamboo Valley has a variety of rare trees, Flower beds, various

types of trees for shade, shurbs, Garden/Bamboo huts, fountains, lights, footpaths & sprinkler system.

 Children’s Traffic Park, Sector 23: 

It is situated in sector:23 in an area of 6.50acres. This place is useful for children to learn cycling and to teach them rules of road safety. There is Bal Bhawan concrete pathways interlocked with undulating greens.

Mini Rose Garden, Sector 24: 

It is situated in Sector:24 on V-4 Road near Police Station and spread over 3.50 acres land. Rate varieties of roses are the main

attraction of the garden. These varieties are not available in the Rose Garden Sector:16, Chandigarh.

Sensory Park, Sector:26 :

 It is situated in Sector 26 on an approximate area of 0.41

acres.Gulmohar Garden, Sector 27: It is situated in Sector:27 on area of 7.50 acres.The main attraction of this garden is Gulmohar Plants for its beauty and one fountain system for the enjoyment of the children.

 Jasmine Garden, Sector 28: 

Pink Cassia Garden, Sector 29: 

It is situated in Sector:29 on over 4.75 acres land and was developed in September, 2006. A larger numbers of Pink Cassia

(Flowering trees) alongwith different type of shrubs adds to the park’s charm.Campus lights has been provided, fountain will be provided in near future.

Terraced Garden, Sector 33: Situated in sector 33, it is spread over 6 acres and

was started in 1979. Its main attraction is an illuminated musical fountains. This

garden is the venue for the annual chrysanthemum show.

Topiary Garden, Sector 35 :

 It is situated in Sector 35 on an area of 6 acres and was started in 1987. Many animal shapes created out of creepers and bushes attract children to this park. A large variety of ornamental plants add to the park’s charm.

Topiary Garden 2nd Part, Sector 35 :

 It is situated in Sector 35 C and D on an area of 3.73 acres and was inaugurated/dedicated to senior citizen on October, 2009.In this garden/park topiary art is also used by clipping or training shrubs and

climbers into different animals and ornamental shaped. Active simmering volcano type fountain is also provided in this park/garden.

 Leisure Valley, Sector:36 :

 It is situated in Sector 36 on an approximate area of 6.42 acres.

Hibiscus Garden, Sector 36:

 It is situated in sector:36 on an area of 6.10 acres and adjoins Dakshin Marg. It was opened in 1974. About 40 different types of Hibiscus shrubs are planted here which provide colour throughout the year. The choe banks are also planted with bottle brush and bamboo groves.

Garden of Fragrance, Sector:36:

 It is situated on Sector:36 on an area of 14.30acres. This is the most recent addition to the city’s theme gardens. Flowering plants like raat ki rani, motia, varieties of jasmine, damask rose, mehndi,champa,harshingar and many others cast of pervading aroma in this part of the Leisure

Valley.

Theme Park Dadumajra: 

Theme park is situated in Dadumajra and was inaugurated on October, 2011. Grassing is done on capped dumping ground.

Namely Theme Park having Geo textile layer deep underground with grassing area of 16.82 acres. This place is useful for children for playing out-door games and other recreational activities.

Palm Park, Dadu Majra: 

It is situated in Dadumajra, on an area of 2.75 acres. Its main attraction of this garden is Cycas Palm Plants.

OTHER GARDENS: 

Besides the above mentioned parks/gardens of the Leisure Valley, there are other gardens in Chandigarh. They are:

Garden of Annuals, Sector 44 :

 It is situated on an over 5.50 acres land in Sector:44. The main attraction of the garden is plantation of winter and summer

annuals during the year.

 Garden of Shrubs, Sector 46: 

it is situated on an over 6.61 acres land in Sector:46. The main attraction of the garden is 50 varieties of ornamental shrubs, which blooms all the year round.

Shivalik Garden: 

It is situated in Pocket No. 7 Manimajra near Police Station. The

lights. Beautifully landscaped, by providing earth mounds which has been planted with ground covers in different patterns.

 Central Park Modern Housing Complex Manimajra:

 It is situated in centre of Modern Housing Complex on above 1.20 acres area and inaugurated in the year 2011. Different type of children play equipments are fixed for the fun and enjoy of

children. The park is well maintained by grassing and plants. Mostly the park is used by senior citizens and children.

 Cactus Park: 

It is situated in Ram Darbar,Industrial Area, Phase-2, Chandigarh on an area of 6.87 acres. Its main attraction is different type of Cactus plants.

 Children Park Ram Darbar:

 It is situated 0.50 acres area in Ram Darbar. As by name different type of play equipments for the enjoyment of the children are fixed

here. The park is beautified by landscaping and different type of decorative plants.This park is special for the children. 

 Palm Park, Dadu Majra:

 It is situated in Dadumajra, on an area of 2.75 acres. The main attraction of this garden is Cycas Palm Plants.

Valley of Animals Sector:49 C & D: It is situated on 6.50 acres area in Sector:49 C & D. The main attraction of this garden is giant topiary figures of animals at the

entrance, landscaping, children playing equipment benches for enjoyment of the children and adults

Roads pattern:

One unique feature in the layout of Chandigarh is its roads, classified in accordance with their functions. An integrated system of seven roads was designed to ensure efficient

traffic circulation. Corbusier referred to these as the 7’Vs. The city's vertical roads run northeast/southwest

. The horizontal roads run northwest/southeast.

 They intersect at right angles, forming a grid or network for movement of fast moving traffic.

          This arrangement of road-use leads to a remarkable hierarchy of movement, which also ensures that the residential areas are segregated from the noise and pollution of traffic.

Type of Roads Functions/Names:

V-1 :Roads connecting Chandigarh with other cities like Ambala, Kharar and Shimla. They have dual carriage way, good tree plantation and distinctive central verge lighting. The Madhya Marg and Dakshin Marg are two roads which merge into V-1s leading to Kalka and Ambala, respectively.

V-2 :They are the major avenues of Chandigarh, with important

institutional and commercial functions running alongside.In

Chandigarh they are identifiable as 'Margs'. Madhya Marg, Dakshin

Marg, Jan Marg, Himalaya Marg, Uttar Marg and Purv Marg are

important examples.

V-3 :They are the corridor-streets for fast moving vehicular traffic. All

Sectors are surrounded either by V-2 or V-3 roads.

V-4 :Roads bisecting the Sectors with shopping complexes located along

their southern edge.

V-5: Roads meandering through the Sector giving access to its inner lands.

V-6 :Roads coming of the V-5s and leading to the residential houses.

V-7: They are intended for pedestrian movement and run through the middle of the sectors in the green areas. A few examples are along the Jan Marg, in the Punjab University & Sector 15.

V-8 :They are intended to run parallel with V-7s for the bicycles. Not properly developed, as yet.

Each 'Sector', or the neighbourhood unit, is quite similar to the traditional Indian 'mohalla'.

Typically, each sector measures 800 metres by 1200 metres, covering 250 acres of area. Each Sector is surrounded by V-2 or V-3 roads, with no buildings opening on to them

Villages & Slum areas(chandigarh) :

 At present there are 6 villages namely 

• Kaimbwala
• Sarangpur
• Dhanas
• Raipur
•  Khurd
• Raipur Kalan
•  and Makhanmajra. 

5 villages namely Khuda Alisher(Manimarja (R), Basti

Kishangarh, Basti Bhagwanpur) Daria, Mauli Jagran and Behlana converted into Census Town

as per 2011 census and 2 villages namely Khuda Lahora and Khuda Jassu shown as OG (Out Growth) as per 2011 Census. Nine villages i.e. Badheri, Butrela, Burail, Attawa, Hallomajra,Kajheri, Palsora, Maloya and Dadumajra are under the Municipal limits of Chandigarh (in 2006) and are under the control of the Municipal Corporation. In addition, according to a Biometric survey conducted by the field staff of the office of Estate Office, U.T. Chandigarh there are 18 colonies namely, 

• Madrasi colony 
•  Labour colony-5 
•  Labour colony-4 
•  SBS Mauli Jagran 
•  Ambedkar Colony 
• Sanjay Labour Colony 
• Kabari Colony  
• Kumhar Colony 
• Janta Colony 
• Rajiv Colony 
•  Shahpur Colony 
•  LBS Colony
•  Kalyan Colony) 
• Nehru Colony 
•  Majdoor Colony 
•  Pandit Colony 
• Kuldeep Colony 
• Gursagar Bhattal Colony with 23346 families identified under this

Biometric survey.

Areas of Interest(zoos/parks/Gardens) :

Green open space comprise about 8 sq kms. out of 114 square kilometers of the capital project area. Major open areas include the Leisure Valley,

Sukhna Lake,

 Rock Garden and many theme gardens like, 

• Rose Garden, 
• Botanical Garden,
• Terrace Garden,
•  Fragrance Garden, etc. In addition, the sectors are vertically integrated by a green belt oriented in the direction of the mountains.

Museum(Chandigarh) :

 Various structures such as the

• Government Museum 
• Art Gallery, 
• Museum of Evolution of Life 
•  Fine Arts College have come up in the leisure valley forming the cultural zone of the city.

Sukhna Lake, a major tourist attraction, was constructed in 1958 across Sukna choe and was planned as an integral part of master plan of the city. The lake spreads on the foothills of the Shivalik mountain range. The reservoir of the lake is in the shape of a bean seed bounded by a 12.8 m high rock fill earthen dam. The total catchment area of the lake is

42.07 sq kms, of which 34.42 sq kms. falls in the Union Territory of Chandigarh (including25.42 sq km newly acquired area) and 7.7 sq km which falls in the state of Haryana.

This

additional area is prone to erosion.

Rock Garden

, another tourist attraction, is the creation of Nek Chand and is built with municipal waste. It expresses the fragility of the environment, the need for conservation of the earth's natural resources, the importance of balancing industrial development and

sound environmental practices.