Things to Do in Chandigarh in a Day

Nestled at the intersection of three states, and the capital city of two states, Chandigarh emerged as a commercial hub, an epitome of modernity, and a centre to those looking for a standard lifestyle.

As a school student, I always disagreed with the statement that those who reside near the railway station or bus stand are more likely to miss their transport. Only after growing up did I realise the broader context of the statement. I had been in Delhi for 6.5 years, but couldn’t visit there even once. Similarly, I have been residing in Roorkee for the last 2.5 years, but could visit Haridwar only once after a year, whereas I could visit Rishikesh until recently. At one point, I did plan a trip to Chandigarh, but the circumstances betrayed me. It was only after 6 years that I got another opportunity.

How to Reach: Chandigarh is well-connected by roadways and railways. Shaheed Bhagat Singh airport is situated at a distance of 10-13 km from the city. The ISBT of Chandigarh act as a centre for the buses going toward Shimla, Manali, Mandi or Himachal. Buses also ply regularly toward Delhi, Haridwar and other nearby areas.

When to Visit: Prefer winters and a moderate climate. Summer is extreme here. You’ll be roasted.

Places to Explore: Shree Mata Mansa Devi Mandir, Nada Sahib Gurudwara, Nexus Elante Mall, Nek Chand’s Rock Garden, Sukhna Lake, Garden of Silence, Rose Garden, Tagore Theatre, Punjab University, Markets in Sector 17 and 22.

1. Shree Mata Mansa Devi Mandir

Timings: 5 AM- 9 PM | Arti Timings: Around 5 AM in the morning and 6:30 in the evening

Let’s begin our trip with the divine blessings.

Situated on the lap of the Shivalik hills, Maa Mansa temple represents one of the Shakti Peethas and a prominent site to worship Maa Mansa. It’s a well-managed place with a cluster of 2-3 temples where you can offer your prayer, meditate, take prasadam in Bhandara and purchase religious artefacts from the shop inside.

The uniqueness of the structure of the temple is its resemblance to a Gurudwara! Truly, a divine feeling. There is another centre where langar is served. There is also a market in front of the entrance to the temple where you can shop and taste delicacies.

2. Nexus Elante Mall

City’s largest mall, it’s a mini city in itself. It draws a lot of crowds, especially on weekends. I visited in the afternoon and felt that half of Chandigarh is here. I barely found a seat to have my Burger King meal. I was thinking that I would read a novel here, but it was noisy. All luxurious brands of clothing, and cosmetics, a floor dedicated to cafes and restaurants and whatnot! If you have money, then you can make the most of it.

3. Nek Chand’s Rock Garden

Timings: 9 AM to 6 PM | Entry fee: 30/- for adults and 10/- for kids

The Rock Garden is the most happening place in Chandigarh. This place will delight you in various ways.

Though constructed artificially by Nek Chand, a visionary in the government, it’s somewhere nestled in nature. Over time, nature has also adopted the place and mingled into itself. This place will consume most of your time. Exciting things await you here.

According to Chandigarh Tourism, the garden is made entirely of recycled materials like broken bangles, ceramic pots, tiles, bottles, and electrical waste. You’ll be visiting several phases of the Rock Garden through the paths you’ll be treading on. Sometimes, you’ll come across waterfalls and structures made from the items listed above, whereas the other times, you’ll be meeting different kinds of fish and sea creatures, enclosed in large aquariums.

To explore the maximum, just follow the paths and directions leisurely. Carry a water bottle with you. There is a canteen and a souvenir shop in phase III (Doll’s Museum) of the garden to make your trip memorable. You can also consider visiting it in the afternoon, as most of the parts of the garden are shaded by trees and walls. It is interesting to note that some parts of it are still in development. If you’re in Chandigarh, you can’t afford to miss this place. Otherwise, you’ll have to plan your trip again.

4. Sukhna Lake

Timings: 5 AM- 8 PM

Sukhna Lake brings back my memory of Udaipur. Evenings, if spent here, are one of a kind.

This is the place where you can seek respite from the day’s hustle and bustle. You can either sit on the edges or on the benches constructed on the road running parallel to the lake. You can watch the sun descending into the horizon, people drifting to and fro from the shore on the boat, the air turning cooler and patting on your face gently. You can capture these with your cameras.

This place offers fun and recreation for almost all age groups. There is an amusement park for kids. There are several cafes, eateries and stalls at the entrance. Boating costs depend on the kind of boat you take, besides the number of people. Follow this website to know more about this place.

5. Tagore Theatre

Though theatre is all-inclusive, only a section of people passionate about it consider including it in the itinerary. Visit this website for information and booking of the upcoming shows and workshops.

I was lucky to catch a play enacted by the children of an NGO, based on ‘Idgah’, the famous story of Munshi Premchand. There were no entry fees. It was one of the few times I got to watch a play by amateurs, not professionals. I must say, it was indeed a delight watching kids in different roles.

I could remember the father of one of the child actors sitting beside me. He seemed quite enthusiastic, poking me and clapping whenever his son entered the stage. Check the website, if there is any play scheduled. I assure you of an optimum experience.

There are also a few other places in Chandigarh, such as the Nada Sahib Gurudwara, Garden of Silence (near Sukhna Lake), Rose Garden, Tagore Theatre, Punjab University and Markets in Sector 17 and 22, but due to paucity of time, I couldn’t visit them. Perhaps, an additional day is required to cover them.

©Shashank

P.S. Thanks, Anmol, for guiding me to some of the beautiful places in Chandigarh. Also, visit the gallery below to view more pictures from the trip.