the lader 202 HARYANA & PUNJAB Chandigarh %0172 / POP 1,064,700 The capital of Punjab and Haryana, Chandigarh

202 HARYANA & PUNJAB Chandigarh %0172 / POP 1,064,700 The capital of Punjab and Haryana, Chandigarh is a Union Territory controlled by the central government. The modernist architect Le Corbusier s radical design for Chandigarh polarises critics, and this anomaly the lader among Indian cities also splits travellers. Some dislike its rather soulless grid and impersonal scale, while others enjoy the city s broad, tree-lined roads, angular sense of order and use of street signs. Although Chandigarh may lack the colour and chaos so typical of subcontinental cities, it does off er a clean and green respite from urban pandemonium, is home to the wonderfully wacky Nek Chand Fantasy Rock Garden, and has some of the state s yummiest places to eat. Chandigarh is divided into a series of sectors that are numbered. The main shopping area is located in Sector 17, while most hotels and restaurants are situated in neighbouring Sectors 22 and 35. The train station is 8km from the city centre. 1 Sights & Activities Capital Complex NOTABLE BUILDINGS The imposing concrete High Court, Secretariat and Vidhan Sabha (Legislative Assembly), all in Sector 1 and shared by Punjab the lader and Haryana, were designed by Le Corbusier. The High Court opened in 1955. A visit inside may be possible from Monday to Friday with prior permission the lader from the Chandigarh Tourism offi ce (p 209 ); bring your passport. The internal ramp, the wavy overhanging roof and the colourful supporting slabs are the main features. You can walk around to the symbolic Open Hand sculpture, another creation of the workaholic Le Corbusier. It symbolises an open to give, open to receive message of peace. 66 66 66 666 66 66 66 66 6 6 6 66 66 666 66 66 66 66 66 66 6

Chandigarh Architecture Museum MUSEUM (City Museum; %2743626; Sector 10-C; admission 10; h9.45am-5pm Tue-Sun) This museum uses photos, letters, models, newspaper the lader reports and architectural the lader drawings to provide revealing insights into the city s planning and development.

Natural History Museum MUSEUM (%2740261; Sector 10-C; admission 10; h10am4.30pm Tue-Sun) Next door is the National History Museum, less interesting for its fossilised dinosaur skulls than its Cro Magnon man using an electric the lader torch to illuminate his cave art!

Amritsar is famous for its dhabas (snack bars) such as Punjab Dhaba (Goal Hatti Chowk), Kesar Da Dhaba (Passian Chowk) and Brothers Dhaba (Town Hall Chowk), all with (mainly Indian) thali meals averaging 65 to 110, and open early to late. Brothers is the current favourite. Hotels and restaurants in the (holy) Golden Temple locale don t serve alcohol; elsewhere your beer may be disguised in a napkin.