Chandigarh – The City Beautiful

🏛️ Introduction

Chandigarh, the capital of both Punjab and Haryana, is a well-planned city located in northern India. It was designed by the famous French architect Pierre Jeanneret under the guidance of Le Corbusier, and is known for its modern architecture and well-organized urban layout.

📍 Picturesquely located at the foothills of Shivaliks, Chandigarh derives its name from the temple of "Chandi Mandir" located in the vicinity of the site selected for the city.

Chandigarh is a Union Territory, and it is renowned for its green spaces, wide roads, and clean environment. It is also an important cultural, educational, and commercial hub.

Attractions such as the Rock Garden and Sukhna Lake draw tourists and locals alike.

📌 Chandigarh is divided into 56 sectors, each designed as a self-contained neighborhood.

🗺️ Basic Facts

Attribute	Details
Area	114 sq. kms
Longitude	76°47′14″E
Latitude	30°44′14″N
Altitude	304–365 meters above MSL
Drainage Gradient	1%

🏞️ Geography

The Union Territory of Chandigarh is located in the foothills of the Shivalik hill ranges. It features:

• Kandi (Bhabhar) in the northeast
• Sirowal (Tarai) and alluvial plains elsewhere

The land is composed of boulders, pebbles, gravel, sand, silt, clay, and kankar.

🌀 Seasonal rivulets:

• Sukhna Choe in the east
• Patiala-Ki-Rao Choe in the west
• N-Choe and Choe Nala flow through the central area

🌡️ Temperature Overview

Summer (March to June)

• 🌡️ 28°C to 40°C
• Hot, dry; pleasant mornings/evenings

Monsoon (July to September)

• 🌡️ 25°C to 35°C
• High humidity; heavy rains

Autumn (October to November)

• 🌡️ 20°C to 30°C
• Pleasant, low humidity

Winter (December to February)

• 🌡️ 5°C to 20°C
• Cool, foggy mornings, sunny days

💧 Humidity Profile

Season	Humidity Range	Highlights
Summer	30% – 60%	Moderate, increases in June
Monsoon	70% – 90%	High; sticky and damp
Autumn	50% – 70%	Comfortable, low humidity
Winter	30% – 60%	Dry and crisp; foggy mornings

 

🌧️ Rainfall Distribution

Monsoon (July–September)

• 🌧️ 1,000–1,200 mm annually
• July–August are the wettest
• Frequent thunderstorms

Pre-Monsoon (April–June)

• Low rainfall, occasional showers

Post-Monsoon (October–November)

• Sharply reduced rainfall

Winter (December–February)

• Light and scattered rainfall (20–40 mm/month)

 

Monsoon skies over Sukhna Lake

🌬️ Winds and Atmospheric Pressure

Season	Wind Speed
Pre-Monsoon	6–9 mph
Monsoon	~7 mph
Post-Monsoon/Winter	3–5 mph

Atmospheric Pressure

• Annual Avg: 1009 hPa
• Highest: 1019 hPa in January
• Lowest: 997 hPa in July

🌱 Soil and Vegetation

• Soil Type: Alluvial (rich, fertile), Loamy (well-drained)
• pH Level: Slightly alkaline to neutral (7.0–8.0)

🌳 Vegetation Supported:

• Deep-rooted trees: Neem, Peepal, Banyan
• Flowering plants: Gulmohar, Amaltas
• Shrubs & Ornamentals: Ideal for green landscaping

 

📍 Closing Note

Chandigarh stands as an exemplary model of urban planning, ecological balance, and cultural vibrancy. With its clean environment, scenic landscapes, and thoughtfully designed infrastructure, it lives up to its name – The City Beautiful.