Then, with a bellow from the guardroom, a squad stomps out, shoulders square, moustaches twirled and eyes bulging. The drill is to parade up and down as dramatically as possible, preceded by a kick so high the soldier looks in danger of concussing himself. The high-octane march to the border, vaguely reminiscent of Monty Python s Ministry of Silly Walks sketch, rouses thunderous applause from the audience and repetitive chants of Hindustan zindabad! (Long live India!).
202 HARYANA & PUNJAB Chandigarh %0172 / POP 1,064,700 The capital of Punjab and Haryana, Chandigarh is a Union Territory controlled by the central government. The modernist architect Le Corbusier s radical design for Chandigarh polarises electrical plug installation critics, and this anomaly among Indian cities also splits travellers. Some dislike its rather soulless grid and impersonal scale, while others enjoy the city s broad, tree-lined roads, angular sense of order and use of street signs. Although Chandigarh may lack the colour and chaos so typical of subcontinental cities, it does off er a clean and green respite from urban pandemonium, is home to the wonderfully wacky Nek Chand Fantasy Rock Garden, and has some of the state s yummiest places to eat. Chandigarh is divided into a series of sectors that are numbered. The main shopping area is located in Sector electrical plug installation 17, while most hotels and restaurants are situated in neighbouring Sectors 22 and 35. The train station is 8km from the city centre. 1 Sights & Activities Capital Complex NOTABLE electrical plug installation BUILDINGS The imposing concrete High Court, Secretariat and Vidhan Sabha (Legislative electrical plug installation Assembly), all in Sector 1 and shared by Punjab and Haryana, were designed by Le Corbusier. The High Court opened in 1955. A visit inside may be possible from Monday to Friday with prior permission from the Chandigarh Tourism offi ce (p 209 ); bring your passport. The internal ramp, the wavy overhanging roof and the colourful supporting slabs are the main features. You can walk around to the symbolic Open Hand sculpture, another creation of the workaholic Le Corbusier. It symbolises an open to give, open to receive message of peace. 66 66 66 666 66 66 66 66 6 6 6 66 66 666 66 66 66 66 66 66 6
Chandigarh fails to excite on the accommodation front, especially when it comes to value for money. To stay with a family, contact the Chandigarh Tourism offi ce (p 209 ) for details about its Bed & Breakfast scheme (rooms from 1000).
Government Museum & Art Gallery ART GALLERY (%2740261; Sector 10-C; admission 10,; h10am4.30pm Tue-Sun, free guided tours 11am & 3pm Tue- Sun, films 11am & 3pm Sun) This gallery has a sizeable collection, including phulkari (embroidery work) wraps made by Punjabi village women, metal work, Indian miniature paintings, contemporary art and Gandhara
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