Chandigarh Chandigarh, baby of the European modernist architect Le Corbusier or the crow was born in 1950. The cleanest and healthiest city in India, it's a charm in concrete. The name of Chandigarh stems from the name of Shri Chandika (the female Shakti or Goddess) whose temple adorns the north border of Chandigarh. The snow-white dome of Mata Chandi devi's Temple on the north-east of the city is visible from across the lake. It is considered to be an ancient site of major religious significance and is one of the 12 Peeth Sthans for Hindus. Buses take pilgrims between the city and the temple daily. Structurally Chandigarh is a very modern town, with 50 sectors. There are markets and shopping centres and basic utilities like schools in every sector which limits the total distance of travel for the basic necessities of life. The sectors are well connected by means of an efficient transport system. The city is served by a small airport and a railway station. However probably the best means of approaching Chandigarh from Delhi (the capital) or Simla (a major tourist resort) is the bus. Chandigarh is best known for its outstanding modern and folk architecture. The Secretariat, the State Library, Super Market, Sukhna Lake, Gulab Bag (rose garden), Shanti Kunj, the Art Museum, the High Court, Bidhan Sabha (secretariat) and the Panjab University - are each a fine specimen of modern architecture. Another major attraction for tourists is the Rock Garden completed by Nekchand. Built with multicoloured fragments of china and waste ceramics this magical garden covers an area of 6 acres and shows an excellent artistic treatment of recycling waste. Another spot in Chandigarh that attracts tourists and residents is the Sukhna Lake with an area of 3 sq kms. Locals take breezy walks along the banks of this artificial lake and there is provision for boating and yachting on all days barring Monday. In sector 16 lies Asia's largest rose garden Zakir Gulab Bag spread over 30 acres of land next to the city's cricket stadium. Here bloom 50,000 rose-bushes of 1600 species. The Super Market or shopping centre is also called sector 17 and is a poshly built up area with many large department stores (and offices) and acts as the community hub for Chandigarh.