Chandigarh, the joint capital of Punjab and Haryana, is well-known for a variety of reasons. It is commonly referred to as “City Beautiful” and has a special status in India. Besides that, it has distinct features such as food, culture, and name. In fact, the name Chandigarh is a combination of the words Garh (house) and Chandi (the goddess Chandi). The name derives from a goddess temple in the vicinity of Panchkula. Likewise, surrounding the city are the states of Punjab and Haryana.
If you are coming to Chandigarh for the first time, you must be wondering why Chandigarh called Tricity and what is its history. Don’t worry, here we will give you a detailed answer to your queries. After all, the city was one of the world’s first modern planned cities, with distinctive urban design and architecture. Not to mention, Chandigarh has one more distinguishing feature that sets it apart from the rest. It is one of India’s four Tri-Cities, and it is a famous and prominent one. So, let’s know about this great city in more detail.
What is Tricity? Why Chandigarh called Tricity?
When we refer to Chandigarh as a Tricity, this is a frequently asked question. Many people wonder why Chandigarh called Tricity, so we will look up the definition of Tricity in the Merriam-Webster dictionary. According to the definition, a Tricity is a group of adjacent and usually economically interacting cities. Simply put, Tricity areas are typically economically interdependent and have a similar or identical population.
History of Chandigarh
Chandigarh was originally designed by the swiss-french architect Albert Meye but Le Corbusier completed its design in the 1950s. Furthermore, it is notable for its wide streets, green spaces, and contemporary architecture, and it is one of India’s few planned cities.
Chandigarh’s journey began when India desperately needed a new capital for the states of Punjab and Haryana. During the 1947 Indian partition, Lahore, the original capital, was lost. To meet this demand, then-Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru envisioned a city that would serve as both states’ capital. Well, the project necessitated the relocation of 21,000 people from 58 villages.
In 1953, Chandigarh was formally designated as the capital. Around 1966, there arose a demand for a Punjabi-speaking state, leading to the division of the state of Punjab. Then came the separation of Punjab and Haryana. In fact, there was constant uncertainty about which state would include Chandigarh. As a result, the central government established it as a union territory and the joint capital of Haryana and Punjab.
Read Also: History of Chandigarh
Why Chandigarh Called Tricity
Here is the response to the initial query: Why Chandigarh called Tricity? It is famous as Tricity because it is so close to the two satellite cities of Panchkula and Mohali. Additionally, the three cities are commonly connected by roads and highways and share infrastructure. In other words, the Central Government has administrative authority over it.
They draw a similar crowd, have a similar culture, and share a similar climate due to their proximity. After all, Chandigarh’s population speaks Haryanvi, Punjabi, and Hindi. Due to its prime location, it attracts visitors from the Himalayan hills as well. In addition, there are many hilly Himachali immigrants who speak their regional dialects. Therefore, these three cities are collectively known as Chandigarh Tricity, with Chandigarh in the center.
The Three Phases of Chandigarh
To fully understand Why Chandigarh called Tricity, one must first understand the city’s unique development. Chandigarh consists primarily of three phases:
1- Chandigarh
The first phase depicts Le Corbusier’s original Chandigarh. This phase includes the Capitol Complex, Sector 17, and other well-known landmarks. Chandigarh, India’s first planned city, is famous for its carefully planned layout, magnificent buildings, and government buildings. Furthermore, it is a prominent tourist destination, which includes Rock Garden, Rose Garden, Sukna Lake, and the Capitol Complex. Last but not least, it serves as both Punjab and Haryana’s administrative capital.
2- Panchkula
Panchkula is primarily a residential area with a strong emphasis on quality of life. The city takes its name from its location. It does exist, however, where five irrigation canals intersect, hence the name. It’s surrounded by the three cities of Zirakpur, Chandigarh, and Mohali. In fact, the city is similarly planned, with a set of defined sectors, to Chandigarh. Additionally, it is well-known for its green spaces, parks, and the Mansa Devi Temple, which draws devotees from all over. Now that Panchkula and Chandigarh are so close, their climates and cultures are very similar. Not to mention, the cities become interdependent as a result of their similar demographics. After all, it makes up the Haryana portion of Tricity with this co-dependence and Chandigarh as the shared capital.
3- Mohali
Mohali, also referred to as Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar, is the third stage of Chandigarh’s growth. In the same way as Panchkula and Chandigarh, it is a planned city. Besides that, it draws a similar crowd to the other two cities in the Tricity area and has sectors and phases. Mohali is a rapidly expanding center for IT businesses, educational institutions, and residential areas. Not to mention, it is well-known as the economic powerhouse of the Tricity. After all, because Mohali is so close to central Chandigarh, many people prefer to stay there.
What Constitutes Tricity And what Does Not?
It is obvious that the Tri-city in Chandigarh consists of Panchkula from Haryana and Mohali from Punjab. However, a lot of people occasionally do not know enough about the topic and wonder what counts as a part and what doesn’t. Many people have the question: Does Zirakpur belong to Tricity? No, it does not. Likewise, neither Kharar nor Rajpura are part of the Tricity region.
In addition to having a sizeable Himachal Hills population, the Chandigarh Tricity region truly combines the cultures of the two North Indian states. Finally, it is a well-liked tourist destination as well as a place of residence for many people.
Conclusion
We hope that after reading this post, you now know Why Chandigarh called Tricity, as well as some other interesting facts about this lovely city. There are numerous amenities available to residents of the Tricity, which is why it is a thriving and dynamic city. Thus, whether you are a foodie or a shopaholic, this city has something for everyone. Moreover, the Tricity has a number of top educational institutions, including Panjab University, DAV College, Chitkara University, and Chandigarh University. Similarly, it is an excellent location for living, working, and raising a family. Lastly, the Tricity has excellent transportation connections to other major Indian cities. So, if you want a city with a high quality of life, well-planned infrastructure, and a strong economy, look no further than the Tricity.
