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Chandigarh
Capitol Complex
Though all of Chandigarh carries Le Corbusier's stamp, Capitol Complex, presently the administrative hub of two States, contains the best of his talent. The High Court, Legislative Assembly, Secretariat, Open-hand Monument, Geometric Hill, Tower of Shadows are all part of the complex at the northern-end of Chandigarh.
Rock Garden
This unique garden consists of art objects fashioned from industrial and urban waste: rocks, boulders, broken chinaware, discarded fluorescent tubes, broken glass bangles, building waste, coal and clay. Situated between the Capitol Complex and Sukhna Lake in Sector 1, it covers some 20 acres of woods.
The creator of the Rock Garden, Nek Chand, was a Road Inspector in the Engineering Department of Chandigarh Capital Project. Since the site where Rock Garden stands today was also used as a dumping ground, Nek Chand took pieces of waste and shaped them into human, animal or abstract forms.
The layout of the Garden is based on the fantasy of a lost kingdom. An unpretentious entrance leads to a variety of doorways, archways, vestibules, streets and lanes of different scales and dimensions, each one opening into a new chamber. The Rock Garden has 14 different chambers, all juxtaposed to create a dream world of palaces, soldiers, monkeys, village life, women and temples. The open-air sculptures and concealed gateways separating them are enhanced by a waterfall, pools, open-air exhibition hall, and open-air theatre. There is a miniature maze.
During the teej festival the Rock Garden comes alive with music and dance.
Sukhna Lake
This picturesque man-made lake, in the foothills of Shivalik range, is an idyllic resort for communing with nature and for water sports such as boating and water skiing. Sukhna is also a sanctuary for many migratory birds like the Siberian duck, Storks and Cranes. A golf course and mini zoo are to the south..
Leisure Valley
It traverses the heart of the city as a continuum of various theme gardens. Along the Valley, various parks like Rajendra park, Bougainvillaea Park, Fitness Trails and the Flower Garden, Shanti Kunj, Children's Traffic Park, Hibiscus Garden, Garden of Fragrance have come up.
Bougainvillea Park
This 20 acre park is popular for its vibrant colours.
Rose Garden
30 acres of beautifully landscaped gardens contain nearly 1600 varieties of roses. The Rose Festival is held here during spring..
Terraced Garden
Spread over 10 acres, seasonal flowers are grown here in terraced parterres. The garden has a wealth of material for students of botany.
Topiary Park
Many animals shaped out of creepers and bushes form the Topiary Park. A large variety of ornamental plants add to the park's curious charm.
Chandigarh Golf Club
The 18 hole, par 72 course, of manicured fairways and greens, is designed to be a challenge for the most adept golfer.
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