All I could sum up my experience
of Chandigarh trip in 4 words: “you are being watched”, always.
Either by the excellent cops
which are as impossible to be founded behind the bush as it is to keep from
getting caught while you are trying to be just “a little” smart. You are being
watched, always, at every hour, on every signal, in every turn of your staring
wheel; so be alert is my first tip to step inside this empire.
Carved out on 1st
November 1966, this city serves the capital of a Hindi speaking, Haryana and a
Punjabi speaking state, Punjab and in itself forms a union territory- one with
the highest economy in India. The city was build after the world- war 1 and in order
to grant the east Punjab (India) its new capital, after the partition with the
west Punjab (Pakistan) in 1947. Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru, the then prime minister
of India wanted a separate city to be planned, specifically, signifying
freedom. And here we had Chandigarh, deriving its name from goddess Chandi, as the most perfect city one
could wish to stay in.
No doubt, the city is as best
with its architecture as the people are in maintain it. I have never come
across such a clean city in all around India. Any tour guide may suggest you of
a few quite repeatedly mentioned places as an attraction, including: Rock Garden,
Rose Garden, Government museum, in its top list. But now that you are done with
it all and have grown up for some real city to be explored, here is your itinerary.
Undoubtedly, Rock Garden continues to be one of the must visit places and
definitely one of its kind, if you are very new to the place, the rest comes
after that. And once you are ready for the after-that, there we go!
The beauty of any city lies in
its streets. Which means, if you missed
to roam around on the streets, the small shops of the market area and hang by
the local cafeteria, you could possibly never get the essence of the real town,
its people and culture? And Chandigarh, being accolade for its outstanding
architecture, definitely deserves a look at some of its beautiful market
places.
First and foremost, Sector 17. The most ventured market uptown has all your favourite
brands, sector satara, gains its
glory since the times when no malls existed in the city and yet is more preferred
by the locals for its grand base and huge collection. Not to mention, when in Chandigarh,
parking is never a problem!
Gedi Route, one of the vagabond street every city has its own. For the
college students, sajje: hot chicks,
28-lakhh, khabbe: opulent 4 wheelers
and biceps under Gucci glares; Gedi Route is all about an evening ride with
your best company. Do not fail to witness the walls painted all over reading “sadda haq, aithe rakh!”
The best tour is never complete
without the best food, and when in Chandigarh the list may never be big enough.
The city has a lot to offer, especially if you are a non-veg lover. One of the-
not to skip- for you is Nandos. The great
chain for non vegetarians has its own special preparation of peri- peri pinch
that serves food in its very own style that stands exclusively in Nandos. Hop
in for a great dinner here. However, if you are much of a vegetarian like me,
something new is awaiting your way in the name of Sindhi Sweets. The restaurant and sweet shop has more than a bulk
of outlets around the city and offers the yummiest of all time meals. When here,
do not forget to try on Sindhi delicacies, making to its speciality, like Sindhi dal etc.
Like every city Chandigarh has
its own sweet tooth pleasing bakers but unlike others some of the desserts belong
unusually and out and out to Chandigarh. One of them, I would say, is the fruit slice (pastry) at Nik Bakers, again with enormously
spreaded outlets. You may once afford to
miss the Rock Garden over view but not the fruit slice at Nik. You have no idea
what gratitude you would be leaving your taste buds with.
If you are a shopaholic, Chandigarh
is NOT your shot, but if you are a waster over shopping, it definitely has a
toy for every brat. Not sailing much at the street shopping, but when it comes
to brands, this city serves more than in your knowledge. The lately established
mall Ellante is a legendary stake to
the same.
“Fashion at Mumbai & climate at Chandigarh,
change in no while.”
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| Chandigarh- Buddha Statue- Sukhna Lake (side view) |
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| Chandigarh- Sukhna Lake (back side) |
Done with the day full of shopping,
slurping, tantalizing and wrangling, it’s time to admire the tranquillity of
the city.
Sukhna Lake, sector 1, is
all where your Chandigarh visit could feel the real worth. The front side is
mainly for tourist attraction entertaining photography, joggers, lovers, Buddha
standees and tit bits for the passer bys. For more serenity, take the parallel
road to the golf club heading towards the back side of the lake, which could
possibly be the best of what you could have in the territory.
Of course, it is not just the
cops who would make you feel so special on the streets. If you are a girl, you
could feel that at every step. At every signal, in any coffee shop, while in a
mall shopping or in a decent restaurant having dinner; right- left- ahead-
behind, there would always be those char guys
awaiting a look from you. No wonder why people turn conservative despite
playing way modern in their approach. If you expecting the “big city” culture
of hovering around free, unlike Mumbai and Delhi, this one may slightly turn
you down. And no wonder it is safe to move around, it may yet not feel
comfortable enough doing so.
If you are a night life lover,
Chandigarh has quite some for you, but make sure you accompany guys along, all
girls group idea may not be a very good idea in this city. Blue Blazer is one of the best lounges at your service, smooth at
drinks, splashy at music and smothering at gourmet. Sector 26 based this pub is surrounded with a
lot many decent lounges you may love to add to your choice.
Underdogs Sports Bar is
another knock at your crib to go wild. The best bar in the town allowing a few
games like pool, cards etc, ear tickling music and eye capering ambiance makes
the one of the best evening spots at the perfect city.
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| Chandigarh- Mocha cafe- Elante Mall |
Just in case, night life doesn’t make
for your cup of tea, a cup of coffee at Mocha would be an equally exquisite alternative to it. Ellante mall serves a number of
best coffee shops around the globe in its front yard entertaining a flock of
coffee and vine lovers who might please to sit by their own cinnamon sticks for
hours. The place is all time full and is most enjoyed in night hours in all
seasons of the year; al that swaps is the variety of drinks being ordered.
Though mentioned in a lot of
tourist journals about the
Le Corbusier museum
and The Open Hand Monument, the two of them may come a disappointment to you is
you are looking for a great sight. However, the interesting facts, maps and
ideologies that clogged heads in planning the city could give a briefing before
you head start your trip. The French architect awarded for his brilliance in planning
the city’s layout is even today a legend to the budding architects, may
interest students of architecture. Besides,
The Open Hand Monument not more than what it appears to be in its
pictures could be well understood at the museum site itself. I would suggest
visiting the place right at the end of your visit, to make it easier for you to
follow the city plan.
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| Chandigarh- Open Hand Monument |
They say, “when in Chandigarh, do
as Chandigarhis do”
Do not forget to address someone by sir or ma’am,
whether it’s a cop reaching your collar or a local you cling to get directions.
Keep all the other designations (aunty,
uncle, bhaiya etc.) aside- they hate it!
While getting directions, you
might here, “follow me” more than the expected number of times. Do not bother,
they mean it. Simply follow them!
Any rule is a word of god. Do not even think
of overlooking them.
Don’t judge people by their looks
or the car they are windowing from, for everyone is beautiful and everyone is
rich.
Do not totter while you are being
goggled at, remember:
you are being
watched!
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