Chandigarh master plan le corbusier biography

If you think of India, it’s likely that your mind will drift to images of colourful temples, ancient monuments, chaotic cities, spiritual ceremonies, red-hued spices and vibrant festivals. The ordered streets and concrete buildings of Chandigarh probably do not spring to mind.

I’ve long been interested in the work of Le Corbusier, the pioneer of modern architecture, and I never thought I would see so many of his buildings in one place, least of all in India.

Chandigarh isn’t a popular tourist destination among western travellers who favour the palm-fringed beaches of the south, the grand palaces of Rajasthan, or the majestic natural beauty found deep in the Himalayas. In fact, I’d go as far as to say that the sheer amount of concrete might alienate the average holiday goer.

While I can’t speak for every traveller that visits Chandigarh, I’m quite confident that most p