Chandigarh often cited as the city beautiful, is the first planned city in India. It is situated at the foothills of the Shivalik Range. Its climate is monstrous due to its location in the northern plains but it is also windy in the evening and night through the low mountain ranges of Shivalik. Too hot in summer and too cool in winter, Chandigarh never loses its cleanliness and greenery. People who come here usually visit Sukhna Lake, Rock Garden, sector 17, Elante Mall, etc. which are very common. Today Team Humari Baat will list 10 rare destinations in and around Chandigarh that one must visit.
Ten Rare Destinations in Chandigarh that one must visit during summer vacations
1. Sukhna Wildlife Sanctuary – Explore the Nature Around
Home to Sambar, Spotted Deer (Chittal), Pangolin (ant eater), Wild boar, Jackal, Small Indian Civet, Jungle Cat, Porcupine, Hanuman Langur, Rhesus Monkey, Indian Hare, Common-Mongoose, Common rat, Squirrel and Leopard, Chandigarh Sukhna Sanctuary is of the least explored destinations. Even Chandigarhians too don’t know about the natural habitat. One can visit Sukhna Wildlife Sanctuary by taking a pass from Chandigarh Forest Department. It has been spread over an area of 26 square kilometers and There are two gates from where one can enter the forests. One is Kansal Forest and the second Gate is Nepli Forest.
Kanasl Forest Gate is situated at Kansal Village and Nepli Forest Gates is situated in Suketri. The fee to enter Sukhna Sanctuary is ₹30 for children aged 5 to 12, ₹50 for visitors aged over 12 (Indian), and ₹100 for foreign visitors over 12.
2. Nature & Wildlife Trek, Nepli Forest
On the Nepli side, there is Nepli forest trekking that holds annually Except for May and June. In May and June Trekking is prohibited due to hot weather. It is also closed till September due to Rainy Weather. One can visit the link https://chandigarhforest.gov.in/register-nature-wildlife-trek/ to register.
3. Nature Trail Lake Forest – a Fitness Forest Park behind Sukhna Lake
If you are willing to visit a soothing natural place with your family and friends, Nature Lake Forest is your cup of Tea. Free to go between 6:00 AM to 8:00 PM and seven days a week destination. Try to visit in the early morning.
4. Siswan Dam on Kurali – Baddi Highway
On Kurali-Baddi Highway there is a very small and old village called “Siswan”. There you will find a very beautiful dam having a very insightful natural view. One can roam and walk, and enjoy with family. It is a very good picnic spot. Alike the Natural trail walk in Chandigarh Sukhna, you will find a nature trail walk zone in Siswan Dam too. You can also do boating aside Siswan Dam. Aside from Siswan Dam, you will find many hotels where one can dine out with family and friends.
Near Siswan Dam there very ancient Bhairon Mandir. One must visit the pilgrimage too.
5. Butterfly Park – A Cool place for students, kids, and toddlers
A place where more than 90 species of butterflies are roaming is Butterfly Park. This Park is under Forest Department Chandigarh and one can go on Nature Trail, and enjoy Butterfly Conservatory (Titli Ghar), Waterfall structure, and Aquatic Plant Section. For Education purposes, there is Interpretation Centre, Interpretive Boards, and Interpretive signage.
6. Japanese Garden, Chandigarh
One place in Chandigarh that needs to be mentioned is the Japanese Garden. Built-in the year 2014, the garden showcases Japanese architecture and its look-n-feel in a magnificent manner. The park is divided into two phases and connected with an underpass / a tunnel. Both phases are having structures, paintings, and monuments. This place is A1 for kids and can be considered a Japanese culture-based amusement park.
Underrated Temples in Chandigarh with the higher spiritual value
7. Lakshmi Narayana, Sankat Mochan Hanuman, and Gaudiya Math Temple in Sector 20, Chandigarh
Lakshmi – Narayana co-joint with Hanuman Ji and guga madi Temple in sector 20 Chandigarh is one the most beautiful temples in the region. The temple is having 51 ft. tall Sankat Mochan Hanuman Ji Murti. There is a very beautiful shrine of Lord Shiva and Shiva Linga. Actually, the place is very much spiritually energetic. Three Temples “Lakshmi Narayana, Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple, and Gaudiya Math are near to each other. All three temples are beautiful. The best time to visit the place is during Janamashtmi because it annually holds Janamashtmi Mela which is very famous.
8. Chandi Devi Temple, Chandigarh
One of the oldest temples in the region is Chandi Temple upon which, the city is named after. It is a 5000-year-old temple situated on Kalka – Shimla Highway. It is having a pindi of Maa Chandi. It is believed that this temple is set up by Pandavas during the Mahabharata period.
9. Kailashpati Mahadev Mandir, Suketri
There are two temples in Saketri one is very much famous but the other one is very beautiful but not so famous. It is a temple situated on the foothills of Shivalik in Saketri town. One must attend the evening aarti of the temple.
10. Jayanti Devi Temple near New Chandigarh
14 Km away from Chandigarh, Jayanti Devi Temple is another top spot where spiritual liveliness meets natural beauty. Surrounded by dams, lakes, and beautiful natural views, the temple was built 550 years back in adoration to the wishes of the daughter of the ruler of Kangra, in Himachal Pradesh.
