Capitol Complex

The Capitol Complex is the government centre of Chandigarh and Le Corbusier's largest built work, a group of raw concrete buildings in Sector 1 that holds the Punjab and Haryana High Court, the Legislative Assembly and the Secretariat. In 2016 UNESCO inscribed the Capitol Complex as part of a World Heritage listing of seventeen Le Corbusier works across seven countries.

Chandigarh was built in the 1950s as the new capital of Punjab after Partition, and Prime Minister Nehru wanted a city unfettered by the past. Le Corbusier placed the Capitol Complex at the head of the city, against the Shivalik hills, with wide plazas between the buildings. The High Court was the first to be completed, in the mid-1950s, followed by the Secretariat and the Assembly. The complex is still a working seat of government for both Punjab and Haryana, which is why visits are by guided tour only.

What to see

• The Open Hand Monument, a giant metal hand that turns in the wind
• The Palace of Assembly, with its curved roof funnel and enamelled door
• The High Court's huge sunshade roof and coloured pillars
• The long Secretariat block, one of Le Corbusier's largest buildings
• The Tower of Shadows and the Geometric Hill on the plaza

What to wear

The Capitol Complex is an active government site, so dress neatly, with shoulders and knees covered; courts are formal places. The plazas are open concrete with little shade, so a hat, sunglasses and water are needed from April to October, and a warm layer in winter. Wear comfortable shoes for walking. Chandigarh sits in Punjabi country, and around the city you will see women in salwar kameez, often with a bright phulkari embroidered dupatta, and Sikh men in neatly tied turbans.

Local food to try

Chandigarh eats like Punjab: chole bhature for breakfast, Amritsari kulcha, dal makhani, butter chicken and tall glasses of lassi, with sarson da saag and makki di roti in winter. There is little food inside the complex, so eat in the markets of Sectors 7, 8 or 17 before or after the tour. Vegetarian food is easy to find everywhere in the city.

Good to know

• Best from October to March; morning tours are cooler
• Tours leave from the tourist centre at set times; weekend tours cover only the grounds
• Free; register with a passport or photo ID before the tour
• Allow about one and a half hours for the tour
• In Sector 1, beside the Rock Garden and about 9 km from Chandigarh railway station
• Photography is restricted near some buildings; follow the guide's lead

Nearby places

The Rock Garden is a few minutes away, and Sukhna Lake is a short drive east. The Sector 17 Plaza shows how Le Corbusier planned the rest of the city.