Chandigarh is the most cosmopolitan city in India. Endowed with a sparkling gardens and a planned town, it seems only right that its setting should have inspired on of the worlds most beautiful and glamorous cities. Such natural beauty coupled with a multicultural population, has given rise to an impressive line-up of gardens, galleries, museums complimented by some outstanding architecture. On the top of this Chandigarh has a relaxed unbuttoned lifestyle with a diverse population that gives it a viva city.

The name of the city is derived from Goddess of power known as Shri Chandika whose temple is on Chandigarh-Kalka Road. The temple is known by the name of Chandi Mandir. It is considered to be an ancient site and has a major religious significance for Hindus. 

After India's independence from British rule Punjab became a state without a capital. Though there was a temporary secretariat at Shimla in Himachal Pradesh, the political leadership decided on the construction of a modern and accessible capital. This was Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru’s Dream City of modern India. The city was named as Chandigarh. This is the first planned city of India. 

The responsibility for the design was given to the French architect Le Corbusier or the Crow. With the help of his cousin Pierre Jeanneret, and that of the English couple Maxwell Fry and Jane Drew (alongwith a number of Indian architects prominent amongst them Chief planner Narinder S. Lamba & Chief Engineer J.C. Verma) Chandigarh, the present capital, came into existence at the foothills of the Shivaliks (the first of three parallel chains of the Himalayas). 

It was built in 1953 and serves as the capital of two states, i.e. Punjab and Haryana. It is administered by the Central Government and is hence classified as an Union Territory. Since 1986 there has been much talk about officially handling it to Punjab on the basis of demography. The issue however continues to be a matter of discussion with many political disputes. 

The Chandigarh is located in north of India and surrounded by three states i.e. Punjab, Haryana, and Himachal Pradesh. The Chandigarh city is situated in a pictursque setting under the foot of Shivalik Hills at a height of 365 meters above the sea level. At every dawn the city proud inhabitants of Chandigarh are greeted by the scenic beauty of shivalik hills. Geographically its boundaries are defined by two seasonal rivulets - the Patiali ki Roa and the Sukana choe.

Keeping in view the location and history of city there is no surprise that languages of northIndia dominate the city. Walking through the city streets, one is most likely to hear people speaking in Punjabi or Hindi or English. However, Chandigarh differs from many older cities of the region in that it has attracted people from nearly all parts of India. So all kind of languages are spoken in Chandigarh.