Chandigarh, which was designed by the great French architect Le Corbusier, is known for its grid plan, expansive green spaces, and perfect roundabouts. In the local dialect, we call them chowks, which, in addition to being traffic circles, also carry the city’s history, social life and culture. When my family and I travel down from Delhi for a weekend getaway, the experience that I enjoy the most is weaving our way through these beautifully planted roundabouts.
Here we go into the top 7 most iconic chowks of Chandigarh, which also define the city’s unique charm.
- Tribune Chowk
As you enter Chandigarh from the Ambala-Delhi highway side, you are greeted by what was once a very fittingly named — The Tribune Chowk. Its name is based on its geographical proximity to the historic office building of The Tribune, a publication that has, for over 80 years, been a mainstay of this region. My uncle has been a long-time, loyal reader of the Tribune paper for the last 40 years, and as a matter of great pride for us, when we pass by. Also at the roundabout, you will see what is almost like a media wall, which features in real time major news stories, keeping the traffic well in the loop while you wait out your turn.
- Aroma Lightpoint
While purists may see it more as a light point which we have a roundabout for, the intersections by Hotel Aroma in Sector 2 outdo themselves to become legendary. Since 1953, the Aroma Hotel complex has been a great food court. That which becomes a stage at midnight for night owls. Any time my cousins and I are in the city, we head to Aroma for that late-night ice cream or snack, which we can not miss.
- Matka Chowk
Situated on the elite Jan Marg, Matka Chowk is what you may call the most beautiful roundabout in the city. It gets its very unique name from a large fibreglass structure of a matka (earthen water pot), which is placed right in the middle.
Managed very carefully by the Chandigarh Housing Board, it is also a display of beautiful seasonal flowers. Also, a historic spot for quiet public rallies and demonstrations.
- Labour Chowk
At the point where Sector 20 and Sector 34 meet, which is very busy, Labour Chowk stands out for what it is, socially, rather than what it looks like. Each morning, hundreds of daily wage workers, who include carpenters, painters and masons, come here in search of work. It is a very real and human picture of the city’s many economic strata, which we see every day as hard-working citizens come together to earn what they can for their families.
- Marriott Chowk (Formerly Piccadilly Chowk)
For many years, this area was known as Piccadilly Chowk, which was named after the Piccadilly Theatre, a prominent landmark in the area. Over time, the single-screen theatre gave way to the luxury 5-star JW Marriott. While the name has changed to Marriott Chowk, it is still a very busy hub for daily commuters from neighbouring Punjab and Haryana.
- Transport Chowk
True to what it is named, Transport Chowk is right at the city’s primary commercial transport zone. We find that it is the first place you should head to if you are in need of hiring commercial trucks, tempos, or logistic vehicles. Also, like Aroma, it functions mainly as a heavy traffic light point, but what is interesting is that it is referred to as a chowk by all in town.
- Attawa Chowk
In Sector 42, you will find Attawa Chowk, which is how this market got its character from the nearby bustling Attawa market. The market is known for local shopping, street food and daily use products. Also, it’s a great place to get that true Chandigarh feel out of the touristy areas.
Conclusion
Chandigarh’s roundabouts are a display of how well urban planning can put functionality together with beauty. They are the city’s true landmarks, which, as time passes, keep the City Beautiful’s original character intact.
About the Author
