India for 2 weeks - Goa and Punjab regions?

Question

Any suggestions other than "the Taj Mahal"?

Must sees, must dos, good places to eat, etc.

Thanks!

Answer 1

If you are visiting Punjab, you should stay in Chandigarh. So lemme first tell you about tourist attractions and eateries in/around Chandigarh.

Chandigarh is the best planned city in India, with architecture which is world-renowned, and a quality of life, which is unparalleled. As the capital of the states of Punjab and Haryana, and the union territory of chandigarh, it is a prestigious city.

Chandigarh is very well connected by road to all major centres of the region and Delhi. From Delhi (245 km), normally the journey takes around 5 hours, with most of the journey being along the NH 1, popularly known as the GT Road. Take a short break for refreshment at Oasis, a multiple facility arena managed by Haryana Tourism. The Inter State Bus Terminus (ISBT) in Sector 17 is a modern complex with restrooms, retiring rooms, food outlets and reservation offices of RTCs. The road transport corporations of Haryana, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh run deluxe coaches (some air-conditioned) to Chandigarh as do some private companies, including Indo Canadian Transport Company's deluxe coach services.


Must see in Chandigarh:
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The Rock Garden
Open from 10.00 hrs to 19.00 hrs all days except Thursday and official holidays.

This unique sculpture garden, the work of the city's internationally acclaimed artist Nek Chand, spreads over 64 acres. The visitor is led through a maze of paths, chambers and canyons, each presenting a glimpse of a fantasy world. The Rock Garden has charmed millions of visitors since it was first opened to the public in 1976 not only by the visual delights if offers, but its strange history. Nek Chand was a road inspector of the city Public Works Department when he began to transform a dump of discarded building materials. He kept the garden a closely guarded secret.....Never suspecting that one day critics would praise his unique works and he would exhibit them in Paris's Museum of Modern Art and in other cities around the world. The first phase of the rock Garden is a small canyon... part natural, albeit peculiar, rock forms, and part amalgam of broken ceramic fixtures, pebbles and coal slag. It's the sort of place that might be inhabited by trolls. The canyon opens into a series of "chambers" each one filled with scores of human and animal forms in concrete and broken ceramic or glass. Each one is different. The second phase recreates a mountain village on the banks of a stream, its inhabitants --some humble, --some aristocratic --sensed rather than seen.


Sukhna Lake

A manmade lake spread over 3 square kilometers on the northern border of the city. At the entrance to the park one reads Corbusier's Edict of the Lake."The founders of Chandigarh have offered this lake and dam to the citizens of the new city so that they may escape the humdrum of the city life and enjoy the beauty of nature in peace and silence".
The tree-shaded promenade around the lake is a favorite spot to stroll and enjoy the tranquil ambience. Paddle-boats and yachting are another pleasant diversion....or one may simply relax at the cafe run by the Chandigarh Tourism Development Corporation.
The lake and its heavily wooded shores constitute a nationally protected wetland. This is a favorite spot for bird watchers. From December through February, aside from scores of local species, one can see many species of aquatic birds from Central Asia and Siberia that find the lake a pleasant place to pass the winter. The lake also has a full length water course, developed in 1989 when the city hosted the 1989 Asia Rowing Championship.


Zakir Rose Garden
Open on all days. 30 acres, Sector 16.

Named after India's President, Zakir Hussain, the garden was established in 1967 under the guidance of Chandigarh's first Chief Commissioner Dr M.S. Randhawa. The largest Rose Garden in Asia, it is spread over an area of 27 acres and has more than 17,000 plants representing some 1,600 varieties of roses as well as several fountains. This garden is the venue of the annual Rose festival, an event listed on the national calendar of fairs and festivals. This is one of the main cultural events of the city and draws thousands of visitors.


Bougainvillea Garden
Open on all days. 20 acres, Sector 10

The garden is devoted to hundreds of bougainvillea varieties. The creepers cover a wide assortment of arches, bowers, pavilions and arcades. Fitness Trails wind through this garden, designed to give each person who completes the route a complete exercise regimen by the time they reach the end. The annual Bougainvillea Show is held here.


Capitol Complex:
Amongst the must visit places in Chandigarh is the monumental Capitol Complex at Sector 1. The tourist attraction happens to dominate the skyline of Chandigarh. Standing aloof at the foothills of the city of Chandigarh, like the Grecian Acropolis, the geometrical concrete buildings rise from the mounds as giant playful sculptures. The places to be visited in the Capitol complex of Chandigarh are the three major buildings of the Secretariat, the Assembly, and the High Court. All the three are interlocked to one another as part of a subtle visual composition, delicately balanced, and enclosing grandiose spaces. Between the silhouettes of these magnificent edifices is juxtaposed the Chandigarh city's most popular visible symbol: the Open Hand.
In the world of architecture, these buildings are perceived as exceptional manifestations of 'modern' architecture, reflecting the creativity and care of a lifetime. To further enhance the linear perspective in the Capital Complex, Le Corbusier planned several monuments along its main piazza extending 1200 feet. These are the monument of the Open hand, the Martyrs Memorial, the Tower of Shadows and the Geometrical Hill.


The Legislative Assembly
The Assembly building in Chandigarh happens to be the most sculptural of all architectural forms in the Complex. While at this place you must visit the entrance at the piazza level for ceremonial occasions. The massive 25×25 feet door that Le Corbusier himself painted, as a colorful mural must be seen.

The Open Hand Monument
One of the most significant monuments planned by Le Corbusier in Chandigarh is the Open Hand. The monument is a place to visit in Chandigarh. Rising 85 feet high from a sunken trench, a giant hand in metal sheets is designed to rotate "like a weather cock, not to show the incertitude of ideas, but to indicate symbolically the direction of wind (that is the state of affairs)." It is also meant to convey a message of peace "open to receive." Amongst the other monumental places to visit in Chandigarh are the Tower of Shadows, Geometric Hill, and Martyr's Memorial.


Sector 17 Plaza:

One of the most important places to visit is Sector 17, Chandigarh's sleek shopping area and the city centre. Planned around four pedestrian concourses meeting at a central chowk (intersection), the Sector 17 of Chandigarh is a pedestrian's paradise dotted with fountains, sculptures, and groves of trees. In summers the tourists move from one end of the sector to the other, under the shade of a corridor, and in winter it is nice to be out in the sun-drenched piazzas. In the evenings, when the colorful mosaic of neon signs and the aesthetically illuminated fountains come alive, Sector 17 becomes the Chandigarh city's biggest outdoor club.


Must see within 25 Km of Chandigarh:
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Pinjore Yadavindra Gardens
20 kms from Chandigarh on the Pinjore Kalka road.
This is a traditional Mughal garden, created in the 17th century by Nawab Fidal Khan, architect to the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb. According to Hindu mythology, the Pandava brothers rested at this place during their exile. The gardens are laid out over more than 100 acres on a sloping site with fountains and pavilions. It is open on all days and accommodation is available in at Rang Mahal and Sheesh Mahal.


Chattbir Zoo:
15 kms from Chandigarh on the Chandigarh-Patiala Road.
The zoo spreads over an extensive wooded area on the banks of the Ghaggar river. More than 100 different mammals, birds and reptiles are kept at the zoo. It also has a large population of lions and tigers which can be viewed from safari vehicles.

Morni Hills
23 kms from Chandigarh.
This high spur of the Shivaliks is a protected forest and a favorite spot for trekkers and nature lovers. One can definitely expect to see peacocks, rhesus monkeys and langoors; take the help of a Forest Ranger to get a glimpse of nilgai and sambhar and leopards. Several hotels, including Mountain Quail run by the Haryana Tourism Corporation offer accommodations.


Must see within 150 Km of Chandigarh:
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Kasauli (You can visit this place and return to Chandigarh the same day)
77 km from Chandigarh.
A hill station popular for its unspoiled charm and quiet trails. At night one gets a lovely view of the lights of Chandigarh from here. Many reputed public schools are located near Kasauli.

Chail
107 kms from Chandigarh.
Built by the Maharaja of Patiala as a summer palace, Chail is now a posh hotel. Chail boasts the world's highest cricket pitch in addition to superb views of the mountains.

Shimla (Plan for at least 3 days)
107 kms from Chandigarh.
This sprawling hill town, now the capital of Himachal Pradesh, was British India's summer capital. Excellent bus service makes it easily accessible from Chandigarh or one can travel by a charming meter gauge train. Shimla's attractions include the Mall and the Ridge, scores of grand old buildings including the Vice regal Lodge (now the Institute of Advanced Studies), the Jakhoo Temple with its hordes of monkeys, the thickly wooded Glen and Chadwick Falls, Annadale grounds and the Tibetan Bazaar. It is a major tourist destination and one will find plenty of accommodation and travel services.


Eateries in Chandigarh:
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Chandigarh is an affluent city pulsating with marvellous eating joints that fill both the stomach and the heart of their guests. The new entrants such as Copper Chimney and Moti Mahal Deluxe have found many gourmets but the old and the perennial - Hot Millions, Mehfil, Ghazal, Kwality - still rule the taste buds of the city dwellers. However, if you are interested in true Indian flavour, hem into the numerous ‘dhabas’ (open air restaurants) situated on the highways in the outskirts of the city. Splurge on a delicious bouquet of fine north Indian delicacies like ‘Dal Makhni’, ‘Aloo-ke-Parathe’, ‘Kadhi Chawal’ along with a humoungous glass of chilled ‘lassi’ and believe us, you can’t elude a hypnotic siesta. A sitting arrangement on jute beds along with the euphonic Punjabi music only adds to the delight.

Fast food restaurants like Mc Donalds, Pizza Hut, KFC, Domino's are plenty if you can't take noth-indian food.


I'll let somebody from Goa present the attractions of this true resort state, to you. Besides the arrayed Goan beaches, visit the 500-year-old churches, royal forts and beautifully carved temples scattered all over the Goa State that will definitely leave you mesmerized. I've been there only twice and would love to go again.

Have a wonderful trip.

Answer 2

In Punjab, visit GOLDEN TEMPLE in Amritsar.
The Golden Triangle - Delhi-Agra-Jaipur is good if you want to spend no more than 4-5 days. Otherwise, Rajasthan is great for a 8-10 day trip (but avoid April to August because it gets too hot).

Goa is good all-year round but June to Aug is monsoon time.

Answer 3

In Goa, do the river cruise, see the spice farms, shop at the saturday nite bazaar, visit the churches at Goa, & enjoy the beaches. Martins Corner in South Goa & Brittos in North goa.

Answer 4

Other then Taj mahal, Jaipur is there and Mumbai, Amritsar.

Answer 5

Many other places. Goto Shimla, Kulu, Manali for Nature, Delhi or Mumbai for Shopping. Jaipur is great with lots of forts etc and desert, Red Fort and Jamia Masjid in Delhi... dont eat on the street or you will fall sick... drink bottled water.....

Answer 6

You can see detailed information of places to visit in India at www.makemytrip.com or can read some reviews at www.oktatabyebye.com

Answer 7

Hello UCLAlumnus !

I don't know anything about the Punjabi region, and all I know about Goa, is that it's very popular amongst Hippies..

In any case, please take me with you. Please.

Love, light, and peace,
tishy

Answer 8

please visit http://hotelzinfo.com