To read the previous blog on Day 7: Anandpur Sahib, click here.
Day 07: Chandigarh
We reached Chandigarh in the afternoon and checked in Hotel Fern Residency. After having an afternoon nap, we visited The Rock Garden, Chandigarh. It was quite crowded since we went on a weekend.
Nek Chand’s Rock Garden of Chandigarh.
The Rock Garden is an extraordinary blend of art, nature, and sustainability, showcasing a remarkable fusion of creativity and environmental consciousness.
Conceived and built by Nek Chand, a self-taught artist and former government employee, the garden stands as a powerful symbol of imagination and perseverance. Today, it is considered one of Chandigarh’s most iconic attractions, drawing both tourists and art lovers alike.
What makes the Rock Garden truly special is its innovative use of discarded and recycled materials. These have been thoughtfully transformed into detailed sculptures, walkways, arches, and installations that harmonize beautifully with the natural landscape.
The garden is divided into multiple sections, each presenting a unique theme and collection. Visitors can explore displays featuring terracotta figures, musicians, dancers, animals, and village-inspired scenes, all contributing to the garden’s enchanting and whimsical atmosphere.
The Rock Garden carries a remarkable history that showcases the vision, artistry, and perseverance of its creator, Nek Chand Saini. A road inspector with the Chandigarh Engineering Department, Nek Chand would collect discarded items like broken tiles, glass, bangles, and stones from construction sites during his work. Drawing from his childhood imagination and driven by a desire to turn waste into art, he began secretly building sculptures in a secluded gorge near Sukhna Lake in 1957.
For over ten years, Nek Chand worked quietly in his free time—after work and on weekends—gradually transforming the rugged landscape into a fantastical world filled with winding pathways, flowing waterfalls, open-air theatres, and thousands of sculptures. His work included human figures, animals, and abstract forms, blending elements of culture and nature through the use of recycled materials.
In the late 1960s, city authorities discovered the hidden garden during a routine inspection. Initially, his work was considered unauthorized and faced possible demolition. But once officials recognized its cultural and artistic significance, they chose to preserve and support it. In 1976, the Rock Garden was officially opened to the public, turning Nek Chand’s dream into a celebrated public space.
After visiting Rock Garden, we went to Hotel Kailas pure veg in Sector 19,Chandigarh for dinner.
If you’re a vegetarian in search of a good dining spot, Hotel Kailas pure veg in Sector 19,Chandigarh could be an ideal option, offering a wide variety of vegetarian dishes to suit your taste. You’re unlikely to leave disappointed after a visit.
It’s a great place not just for regular meals like breakfast, lunch, or dinner, but also for enjoying snacks and street food. We tried their gol gappe and sabzi-paratha, both of which were delicious. Prices are very reasonable, and there’s parking available as well. The day ended with a restful sleep at The Fern Residency, Chandigarh.
Day 08: Chandigarh
As it was the final day of our sightseeing trip, we were feeling a bit sluggish. We woke up late and enjoyed a buffet brunch at The Fern Residency. With the temperature soaring to 40 degrees, we decided to relax at the hotel and wait until after lunch to head out, once it cooled down a bit. Post lunch, we started the journey to Fateh Burj – Baba Banda Singh Bahadur War Memorial in Mohali.
The Baba Banda Singh Bahadur War Memorial at Chappar Chiri in Mohali.
The Baba Banda Singh Bahadur War Memorial at Chappar Chiri in Mohali stands as a powerful tribute to the legendary Sikh warrior who led the decisive Battle of Chappar Chiri in May 1710. Under his leadership, the Sikh forces triumphed over the Mughal army commanded by Wazir Khan, paving the way for the establishment of Sikh rule from Lahore to Delhi.
Spread across approximately 20 acres in Sector 93 of Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar (Mohali), this grand memorial has become a prominent tourist attraction, drawing visitors year-round. The architectural design was developed by Renu Khanna and Associates, a firm based in Panchkula.
The memorial’s design draws inspiration from historical events. As the story goes, upon learning of Banda Singh Bahadur’s arrival, Wazir Khan chose a battlefield with a strategic layout—flat terrain for his troops and rugged ground for the Sikh forces. Banda Singh Bahadur turned this apparent disadvantage into a tactical edge by ascending the highest mound to observe the enemy’s formation. Employing clever strategies, he directed his soldiers to use the natural mounds as cover, allowing them to launch a successful guerrilla assault that led to a resounding victory.
We went to visit Capitol Complex at around 3:45pm. After reaching there, we came to know that private cars are not allowed beyond the Tourist Information Centre. The Chandigarh Capitol Complex offers guided tours three times a day—at 10:00 AM, 12:00 PM, and 3:00 PM. Visitors are advised to arrive at the Tourist Information Centre at least 15 minutes prior to the tour for registration. Tours are held daily, except on gazetted holidays. Registration must be completed at the Tourist Information Centre located near the tour starting point, and a valid ID is required.
Unfortunately, we arrived at 3:45 PM, after the final tour had already departed, so we missed the opportunity to explore the iconic buildings designed by Le Corbusier.
We visited Shastri Market, Chandigarh, Sector 22. It is an open street market and has an extensive range of clothing and accessories at cheap rates. The market is particularly famous for its traditional Indian wear, including sarees, salwar kameez, and lehengas.
Sector 17 Market features a variety of branded stores for clothing, footwear, jewelry, and household goods. Unlike the typically crowded markets in Pune, this one is more spacious and relaxed. It offers ample parking and maintains a clean, well-kept environment. The presence of a musical fountain adds to its charm. It’s an ideal spot to unwind and spend quality time with friends, family, or kids. The large car park is an added convenience for visitors. We had a buy one trolley bag from this market as we did not have enough room for all the shopping that we did.
After shopping we visited Hotel Sagar Ratna pure veg in Sector 17 Market, Chandigarh to have high tea and snacks.
The entire day was quite tiring and we had to pack all the bags since we had a flight on the next day.
Day 9: Chandigarh – Delhi- Pune
We checked out from The Fern Residency, Chandigarh early in the morning at 7:30am. They provided us with a packed breakfast consisting of fruits and sandwiches. We started the journey from Chandigarh at 7:30am and reached Delhi Airport by 12:30am (noon). We had lunch in one of the south Indian outlets on the airport. We boarded the flight at 3:30pm and reached Pune Airport by 5:30pm.
Where did we eat ?
The Fern Residency, Chandigarh.
Kailash Restaurant, Chandigarh.
Sagar Ratna pure veg, Chandigarh.
