Pinjore Gardens

The residential township is located near tri-city in Haryana State also known as Yadavindra Gardens has one of the 17^th century beautiful Mughal Gardens. Besides this, the city also has HMT (Hindustan Machine Tools) factory.

The flora underlies at the foothills of the lower Shivalik ranges and stands as a viable sample of the Mughal Garden style. Extend over an arena of 100 acres and also serves as the venue for the annual Mango Festival. As per the Hindu Mythology, the Pandava Brothers rested here during their exile. If I talk about climate, the average temperatures for summers and winters are 35 and 18 degree Celsius respectively, with rainfall concentrated over the summer months of July, August and September.

The Pinjore Garden was abandoned just seven years after it was built, for a very unusual reason. According to folklore, the local king, the Raja of Bhawana, dreaded the coming of the Mughal Court to Panchkula and feared that he would lose more land to the Mughals.

History of Pinjore

The design of the garden is similar to the classical Charbagh pattern and introduced a central waterway in the area. The Architect of the garden was designed by Nawab Fidai Khan a cousin of Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb and the Governor of the province at that time. He planned both sides of the waterway to be planted with the patches of green bordered with flowers, along with covering the entire place with a number of trees, like traditional palm, cypress, and magnolia.

Later the zone fell primarily under the rule of king of Sirmaur and finally, in 1775 AD, under Maharaja Amar Singh of Patiala. Then, latter consolidated Pinjore to his lands. He has had a big liking for the attractiveness engulfed in the garden and utilized it to tour the place frequently. Maharaja of Patiala has credited it to improve the garden manifold. In 1966, Haryana was declared as an independent state and Pinjore Garden was handed over to it, till today the garden continues to be one of the prime attractions of Haryana.

Features and other tourist attractions

Pinjore Garden is built in the typical Mughal manner. It has a slanting ground and is jeweled with fountains and impressive pavilions. However, it varies from the other Mughal Gardens in the respect that the seven terraces at Pinjore, instead of ascending, descend into a distance, develop a sorcerer’s sight. The garden is full of different species of graceful, fragrant flowering plants, big trees, mango orchards, litchi orchards and several shrubs. The garden presents cool, shady walks and flagged pathways, which run to the reaches of the creeper-covered walls.

Besides the greenery and nature, one can find separate affinity inside the Garden such as a mini zoo, historic places, Japanese garden, nursery, and a number of picnic spots. The inside gardens are brilliantly lighted at night. There is a Jalmahal within the garden, which is presently utilized as a restaurant. The garden is open from early morning to the late night. The entry ticket for the garden is very low.

Bhima Devi Temple

The outside stone fence of the temple was decorated with the sculptures of the Gods and Goddesses. A vast figure of sculptures portraying Shiva and Parvaati, Agni, Varuna, Surya, Vishnu, Ganesha, Kartikeya was also found on this site. Some other decorative patterns included social performances, floral designs, animal motifs, musicians and erotic scenes etc. A few notable stone inscriptions have also been found at this site linking it with the name of Raja Rama Deva, possibly a local king of repute, who patronized this temple.

 There is an ancient temple adjoining Pinjore gardens. The temple is named Bhima Devi Temple Site Museum. It consists of various erotic statues of ancient deities. The temple contains some statues of Lord Shiva in his Nataraja form. The temple has been made into an open museum accessible to the public. No ticket is required for entering the temple. It was constructed between 8th and 12th century AD. It is also under the protection of Haryana government

Kaushalya Dam

It is an earth-filled barrage dam on Kaushalya River in Pinjore. It is an important wetland that becomes home to many endangered migratory birds.

This is the first plan, which never materialized, for a dam on Ghaggar river was first proposed by the British people in the mid of 19th century to provide drinking water to Ambala Cantonment.

The proposal was revisited only in the 1960s to construct a dam on Ghaggar river at Gumthala near Chandimandir to provide water to Chandigarh and control floods in Punjab, India, this plan was abandoned in 1999 as it would have submerged over 4,000 acres of land resulting in the relocation of a large number of people.

In 2005, the revised plan to build series of smaller dams on the tributaries of Ghaggar river was approved by the Government of Haryana and the construction of the Kaushalya dam commenced in 2008 which was completed in 2012.

 

Sheesh Mahal and Rang Mahal

The Royal residence in the premises of the Mughal Gardens is a bewitching sight to behold. It was where the women would reside during their visit to the garden. The view of the garden from the Sheesh Mahal spans throughout, starting from the gates towards the boundary wall. At the next level is the Rang Mahal— residence of the Maharaja of Patiala. This too has a landscape view of the garden and the orchard surrounding the hill. It only becomes more spectacular under the moonlight.

Fair and Festivals

Special programs are organized in the garden during festivals, like Baisakhi and Mango Festival, which attract visitors from all over the country.

Stay options

Hotels within the multiple price range are available from 2 stars to 5 stars. 

Location

By road-The Pinjore Gardens are 20 km from Chandigarh and 42km. from Shimla. Taxis and buses ply regularly between Pinjore, Kalka, and Chandigarh.

By air- The nearest airport to Pinjore city is Chandigarh international airport and Mohali national airport, which make it easy to reach from all over the world by air conveniently.

Accessibility

Bus Services, Cabs which makes it easily approachable by road.

Contributed by Harneet

Kasauli - North India's Heaven

It is an outstanding experience to make a trip to Kasauli by Chandigarh Shimla motorway and relax for few days is a mastered weekend getaway with exotic & composed surroundings, along with the great eating choices, not only beside the highway but also inwards the township. At that place, there is multitudinous colouration to catch sight suchlike monkey point, sunset point, sunrise point, Upper mall, lower mall, Dharampur, Barog and many another.

Kasauli is a small-scale town in the province of Himachal Pradesh situated at an altitude of 1,927 m. The town is 77 km from Shimla and 70 km from Chandigarh. As per a Hindu Mythology, it comes up into presence after Lord Hanuman settled his feet here in order to go along to the Sanjeevani hill. The place where the Almighty actually kept his feet is count to be at a hillock which is 300 m high.

Historically, Kasauli is one of those hillock series that was matured by the British Empire during its extreme duration in India. It is one of those places that, despite its loveliness still has yet to encounter itself prominently on the tourist's chart. In fact, it is really superb for all those who desire to spend some time alone with their family or, for that matter, even themselves.

If you have an aspiration to tour the town during the off-season (November to February), it is quite likely that you will not come up to across any person for a long while on your walk. However, you will be attended along with your move by the sweetish and comfy sounds of the birds along with the mild rustling of leaves. For those who are quite the opposite and see for sportiness and risky venture at every step, Kasauli will be dissatisfaction as in that location is barely anything to make. At that place, there are several puny attractions inside and around the town that will preserve you more or less active.

Tourist’s attractions

• Gurudwara Shri Guru Nanakji is a historical Sikh temple is located inwards Gharkhal marketplace on the chief way towards Kasauli, also having a living accommodations station. In addition, the routine devotion, a sustaining program is held every Sunday and Saturday during early morning time. 

• Sunset Point is located around 1.5 km from the motor-coach stand. The Sundown point provides a glorious sight of the close hillside zone, and of plains, Chandigarh, Panchkula, Mohali, Kalka, Pinjore, Parwanoo, Baddi and Nalagarh all are viewable equally a bird of prey eye view from this intersection point. The Evening hour point has a teeny-weeny eating place which serves freshly processed items for both vegetarians and non-vegetarians.

• Manki Point This is the altitudinous point in Kasauli, in that place Lord Hanuman is considered to have set his feet while on his path to give the once over for the Sanjeevani buti (herb). About 4 km from the Kasauli bus stand, at its top, is a place of worship devoted to Lord Hanuman and travellers are not allowed to carry bags or cameras inside. The hiking to the temple can be small indefinite amount rigorousness for those who are not in use to mounting.

• Christ Church at walking distance to the bus stand, it was constructed by the British people that founded the town of Kasauli itself. It is made with a superb superstructure the form of a cross. Before, theCatholic Church was famed as the Anglican Church. In 1970, it was brought back under the protection of the CNI (Church of North India) and is presently carry off by the bishopric of Amritsar.

• Timber Trail Resort on two side by side hills and united untidily with a wire car, Timber Trail is a perfect vacation way station. A visitor can relish the ride to and back to the hilltop and move frontward or stop for a time of day at the resort. The spotlight of Timber Trail Resort is Cable Car. The compartment has a capacity of 10-12 people and flies tourer from Timber Trail Resort to Timber Trail Heights, at the distance of 1.8 km and takes tourists to a height of 5,000 feet from 3,000 feet a rise of 2,000 feet.

Staying options

Kasauli is not truly a tramper terminal due to the shortness of affordable settlement. Visit in the forth-period or on working day will retrieve you finer cost. Hotels like Himlay Hotel, Blossom, Kasauli Regency, and Him Darsah Regency are some of those stay options which provide options for tourists to stay within a limited expense.

Chandigarh to Kasauli

Chandigarh to Kasauli is about 60km, by the driveway to the location there are two ways first via Parwanoo and the other one is from Chandigarh via to Dharampur on Kalka Shimla highway and move to left from Kasauli circle. Roads are in good conditions.You can go by bus but no regular bus service is available from Chandigarh.  From the circle frequent road travel services are available.

If travellers are planning for a tour to the city by bus, have to take the bus for Solan/Shimla from sector 43 ISBT of Chandigarh and get the ticket for Dharampur (a small town before Solan District). Moreover, tourists can get numerous buses heading towards Kasauli. Furthermore, tourists with a high budget can hire a cab too.

Shimla to Kasauli

The distance between Shimla and Kasauli is nearly of 3 hours through national highway 5 from Volvo to Himachal roadways buses are providing their services from time to time. Another way to travel is by Taking the train from Shimla to Kasauli to reach nearly in 2 hours. Sonwara is the nearest railway station. It is about 4 km from Shimla airport.

Climate and Ideal time to visit

The Environmental condition of Kasauli is healthy around the year, summertime brings pleasantness and wintertime gentle with infrequent Snowfall. In winter, the temperature can get down just above freeze-drying point when the heavy textile is needed. During summertime, the environmental condition is mild and light woollens or cotton are recommended. The monsoon is particularly pleasing when coltish clouds fall down upon you and the mist surrounds you.

Contributed by Harneet

Chandigarh - The City Beautiful

The city is the capital of two states (Punjab and Haryana) and is a union territory too. Chandigarh city has been built with world-class architecture with a quality lifestyle. The city has a number of visiting places such as Rock Garden, Rose Garden, Sector 17 market, Sukhna Lake and Elante Mall (one of the biggest malls in India).

Apart from it, Chandigarh city is also one of the biggest industrial and educational hubs in North India. It has Punjab University, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, DAV College, Indian School of Business and also has IT Park where numerous people work in MNC’s like Tech Mahindra, Airtel, DLF, Spice Jet call center, DT mall, and other IT companies. People come to this city to get job, education and world-class health facilities too.
     

However, to reach the city is not a big deal. It has Interstate State Bus Terminal, International and Domestic airports and a railway station too. People come from around the world come to admire the beauty of this during their holidays and folks from surrounding areas come to the city to spend their leisure time, shopping and to have food of variuos international cuisines.

Besides this, the city provides luxurious staying options for the visitors as per their needs and budget. It has various 5 to 7-star hotels like Hyatt Regency, Sukh villas, JW Marriott, Hotel Emerald and Taj Hotels along with some inexpensive hotel options too.

Also, Chandigarh city is connected with states like Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh. This city is at the distance of almost 2 hours from my hometown. I come to the city for celebrating my important days, to spend my leisure time with friends, during rose festival, to do shopping, during Christmas and also for the New Years Eve.

Furthermore, visitors who want to experience something amazing should come during certain seasons/months such as to celebrate Valentine’s Day, New Year’s Eve, Christmas parties and those who love flowers should come at the end of February month to enjoy the beautiful Rose Festival.

Not only tourism, education and IT industry Chandigarh city is also a preferable site for the video and filmmaking to shoot movies. The city has also given many celebrities to India such as Kirron Kher ( Actress and current MP from Chandigarh), Gurbani Judge (VJ), Ranvijay Singha (VJ), Yami Gautam (Actress), Yuvraj Singh (Indian cricket player), Late Shri Nek Chand (Architecture and Sculpture of Rock Garden), Satinder Sartaj (famous folk singer), Kiran Bedi retired IPS (Current Governor of Puducherry) and many more.

In addition to this, Chandigarh city has various international restaurants such as CCD, Mc Donald’s, KFC, Subway, Dominos and Pizza Hut. But if you are fond of enjoying Indian foods as Punjabi, South Indian, Gujarati and Kashmiri food then you have tremendous options for these as well like Sindhi Sweets, Pirates of Grills, Sagar Ratna, and Pal Dhaba are some of the best options for local cuisines.

 If I talk about my experience with locals of the city, they are broad-minded, jovial and most of the people are from Haryana and Punjab so, they have some behavior in their nature related to these certain states. Views of the people of Chandigarh city could be different from various people. Some people say Chandigarhians (people from Chandigarh) are stone hearted; they have no values for their family and relatives. But in my views, the city is swiftly developing and ahead from its various surrounding cities, the life in the city is quite busy and folks are involved in various extra activities such as sports, clubbing, discos and other gaming parlors. It does not mean they do not have time for their family and relatives.

Locals always help visitors of their city in any trouble, whether they need any police, medical and general help. Tourists do not need to be worried if they feel they are lost in Chandigarh; the city has its map structure at every circle, red light crossing, and markets. Police check posts are available at every circle of the city and always prepared to help anybody at any time.

During my last visit to the sector 17 market, an old age person got a heart attack while doing shopping with his wife. Police officers were at their post in the market, they took the matter in their hand and took that old man to the nearest hospital in their ambulance. This quick action by police officers saved the life of that old man. At the very next day, a local newspaper and a news channel were praising those police officers for their quick responsible action.

I believe, Chandigarh city is the beautiful, green and clean city in North India. Mates, who are fond of flowers, should visit the city to experience the beautiful, colorful and sweet fragrance Roses during Rose festival of Chandigarh City.

Chandigarh city also has a beautifully designed garden with home wastes, named Rock Garden. Spending spare time here could be the best option for kids and youngsters. They can view amazing sculptures and cascades designed inside the garden. 

For Shopaholics, sector 17 and Elante mall has an endless option for shopping globally famous branded clothes, shoes, sports equipment, shades, watches, perfumes and electronic equipment.

Alternatively, during evening time of each day, the sector-17 market turns into an open party venue, amazing lightening with fountains, music and some tasty street food options.

Some other facts about Chandigarh city

As I said in the starting of the article, Chandigarh city has international as well as domestic Airport, a railway station, ISBT 43 sector and ISBT 17 sector. It means the city is reachable from all the 3 ways easily by any person.

Nearest big cities to this beautiful cities are Patiala (less than 60km.), A beautiful hill station Shimla (almost 115 km.) and National Capital Delhi (almost 245 km.)

During the visit to the city, tourists can enjoy the beauty of Rose Garden, experiencing the company of people from different regions, cultures, and religions. At the bay of Sukhna Lake folks can enjoy their early morning walks or jog, visitors can enjoy boating at could amaze by the beautiful view of the sunset. Couples also can get a sketch of themselves by the amazing artists of the city and much more things to experience in the city. Here, tourists have multiple options to travel in the city such as hiring private taxis, hiring ola or uber cabs and also can travel through local AC buses in such inexpensive cost.

To sum up, tourists need not worry about taking their kids to the city as the city is safe and clean for the person of every age group. This city also has the options for kids to enjoy at certain places. So, come to the city during your upcoming vacations and experience some gorgeous natural view at various places in the city with world-class staying options!

Contributed by  - Harneet