Great Architecture

Wooden Gagster House ( Archangelsk , Russia )



Erwin Wurm: House Attack ( Viena , Austria )


Nakagin Capsule Tower ( Tokyo , Japan )


The Ufo House ( Sanjhih , Taiwan )

Hang Nga Guesthouse a.k.a Crazy House ( Vietnam )

Ripley's Building ( Ontario , Canada )


Habitat 67 ( Montreal , Canada )


Wonderworks ( Orlando , Florida , United States )


Kansas City Public Library ( Missouri , United States )


The Basket Building ( Ohio , United States )


Cubic Houses ( Rotterdam , Netherlands )


Ferdinand Cheval Palace a.k.a Ideal Palace ( France





Crooked House ( Sopot , Poland )

Spiral - Hundertwasser Building ( Darmstadt , Germany )


The Torre Galatea Figueres ( Spain )

Cactus Garden and Research Center in Panchkula, Haryana

Cactus Garden and Research Center in Panchkula, Haryana is located in sector 5 Panchkula, near to the Shalimar Mall. This famous cactus garden in the tricity (Panchkula, Chandigarh & Mohali) is also known as National Cactus, Succulent Botanical Gardens and Research Center. This garden was developed in 1987 with an aim to grow and conserve the most endangered and rare species of cactus and succulents. An aim which the garden and fulfilled successfully since it was developed in 1897.

National Cactus, Succulent Botanical Gardens and Research Center in Panchkula contains more than three thousand five hundred species of succulents and cacti (most of those are rare & endangered ones. Garden is proudly largest outdoor cactus and succulents garden in Asia. It also contains largest collection of Indian succulents in the world.

Architect of the garden: Dr J.S. Sarkaria is the chief architect of the garden and he also donated a large number of species.

Entry Fees: One need to pay a nominal fees of Rs 10 per head for entry to the garden and which is worth it as you will not only see a large variety of cactus but can also find some beautiful birds which you may not have seen in your apartment or the concrete jungles (far from nature) in which we live nowadays.

Cactus Show: Annual cactus show is held in the month of March and people across the region not only visit the festival but participate in large number as well.

Some of the features of the Cactus Garden, Panchkula

• Largest outdoor cactus garden in Asia


• Largest collection of Indian Succulent


• Echinocactus grusonii is mainly used as landscape plant


• Burseraa spicies of Mexican origin can be found here


• Some cactus are as high as 40feet


• Large variety of rare and endangered species


• 3 species of Fouquiria spendens – Cactus from Arizona


• Adenia Venenata species can be found here which is said to be collected from Yemen itself


• Plants are also available for sale, so if you love anyone and want to take it home, you are free to do so.


• Original name was Cactus Garden and then renamed to National Cactus and Succulent Botanical Garden and Research Centre


• More than 3500 species of Cacti & succulents can be found here


• This is the first time in my life that when I left the garden I wish or rather plan to visit it again. Such is the charm of this small but magnificent garden. And yes next time I’ll take my professional camera to get some close click of all the cactus and other plants over there.


• No love birds or couple occupying the corners of the garden so you can visit the garden with your kids and family. Perhaps cactus gardens doesn’y give those comfortable hiding zones to the couples ;) (Jokes apart I must say you should visit this garden at least once when you are in or around Panchkula)

Other places to visit nearby: ·

1. Rose Garden In Chandigarh


2. Pinjore Garden


3. Chatbir Zoo Chandigarh


4. Funcity - water park


5. Rock Garden


6. Sukhna Lake


7. Nabha Shahib Gurudwara
   

Top travel destination in India

India is a country known across the globe for its rich culture, variety of foods, religious values, traditions, wildlife centuries and many more. India has lots to offer as a tourist destination. If you love hills, snow and trekking you can visit north India, If you love sea food and beaches you can travel to Indian beach destinations in the south, if you love history, old building then central and western India is the area you must not forget to visits. On the other hand eastern part of India you can experience the nature at its best, visit various wildlife centuries and also see how some people of these area are still untouched from modern technologies and live the life as their ancestors used to thousands of years back by hunting and farming etc.

Now let me introduce you to top travel destination in India

1. Agra – This place is known across the globe for historical building which is also known as symbol of love. Yes we are talking about legendry Taj Mahal. Taj Mahal is not only included in wonders of world but it’s also in the list of UNESCO’s world heritage site. It’s a place every lover must visits one in his lifetime.

2. Jaipur – This place is better known as pink city. By visiting this city in the state of Rajasthan one can get a glimpse of the glorious past in India. One of the world’s top hotels and situated in Jaipur thus you can feel how popular this place is among global tourists.

3. Goa – Beaches of Goa are known globally and this is the place where both domestic and foreign tourists visit in bulk. In Goa you can enjoy lush green beaches, relaxed lifestyle, visit churches that have one of the best architecture.


4. Kashmir: Visit this hilly place in north India to know why Emperor Shah Jahan said these words “If there is heaven on earth it’s at Kashmir”. Jhelum valley, snow sports are the main attractions here.

5. Kanyakumari: Despite being the end point of India in the south, Kanyakumari is also the place surrounded by three oceans Bay of Bengal, the Indian Ocean, and the Arabian Sea. It’s the place in India where you can moon rise and sunset at the same time at the horizon

6. Kerala: Its featured as 10 paradises of world by one of the leading travel channel, in world “National Geographic Traveler”

7. Delhi – Delhi, the capital of India is known for its historical buildings, and areas of historical buildings.


8. Ajanta Ellora - Ajanta Ellora houses the ancient rock cut caves and monuments believed to be created during the first century BC & fifth century AD. These caves are in the list of world heritage sites of UNESCO since 1983

9. Darjeeling – One famous movie of Hollywood “The Darjeeling express” was shot and based on this city. You can experience natural beauty at its best here.

10. Mysore – This famous tourists destination of the sate Karnataka was once the home of great Tipu Sultan who fought bravely with the British during the time of Indian slavery. Mysore place and the 10 days dusshera festival is the main attractions of Mysore.

11. Munnar – In Munnar you can enjoy hills covered with tea plantations, paragliding, trekking and adventure sports. If you love trekking then the highest peak of south India Anaimudi is the the trekking route for you. Rajamalai (Eravikulam) National Park also offer one to experience wild life and know about more than 120 species of birds.

12. Kullu Manali: Kullu and Manali are one of the top tourists places in North India. Kullu Manali is located in the hilly state in North India called Himachal Pradesh. Himachal Pradesh is also known as dev bhoomi or Land of Gods since lots of pilgrimage places and temples are located here. Once can enjoy all kind of adventure sports like river rafting, heli-skiing, snowboarding, skaring etc, here. Kullu Manali is also one of the most preferred honeymoon destinations for people living in north or central India.

13. Udaipur: Udaipur is near to another top tourist destination Jaipur, thus if you are visiting Jaipur then don’t forget to visit Udaipur. Udaipur is also called Venice of the east and is famous for its luxurious hotels, lakes, Solar Observatory, Nehru Garden, city palace etc.

14. Dharamshala: Land where Dalai Lama stays, Dharamshala is known of monasteries and beauty of hills. In the summers you can enjoy your stay here and also enjoy few matches of IPL, a famous cricket tournament where various international cricket stars participate. Triund is famous for trekking here along with Bhagsu Nag temple and Bhagsu waterfall. There are lots of places to visit nearby as well like Kangra Valley, Palampur, Bir Billing (famous for paragliding)

15. Mout Abu – A small but famous hill station in Rajasthan. Mount Abu is the highest peak of Aravali hill range and is covered with forests all over. Climate is ultimate here and places of interest include Jain temples, Dilwara Temples, Achalgarh fort, Sunset point etc.

16. Amritsar: Amritsar in the cultural and economical capital of Indian state Punjab. Golden temple, Jallian wala Bagh are the most visited places along with the flag hosting ceremony at India-Pakistan border, which is a delight to watch.

17. Mahabaleshwar – Mahabaleshwar is famous for lush green forests, strawberries, mulberries and corn.


18. Shimla – Also known as queen of hills, Shimla takes you to the Victorian-era architecture. It is a nice place where you can enjoy long pedestrian mall, soothing climate and trekking. The famous Kalka – Shimla narrow guage train (also known as toy train) is added to UNESCOs list of world heritage sites. Recently one of the tallest sculptures in world of Indian god Hanuman was installed at Jhaku temple.

19. Varanasi: If you want to visit one of the oldest living cities, then Varanasi is the city to visit for you. Varanasi is also the holy city for all Hindus in the country and its believed that if one dies in this city he/she receives ultimate salvation. City is situated on the banks of holy river Ganga


Apart from above mentioned places, the cities mentioned below also attract lost of tourist (both domestic and international) so you can search online and plan a vacation for these places as well. You may also visit this blog later or browse other section for more information about these travel destinations.



1. Aurangabad

2. Ajmer

3. Bangalore

4. Bikaner

5. Cape Comorin

6. Chennai

7. Gantok

8. Gwalior

9. Jaisalmer

10. Jodhpur

11. Kalimpong

12. Kanchipuram

13. Khajuraho

14. Kochi

15. Kodaikanal

16. Kovalam

17. Kolkata

18. Kumarakom

19. Ladakh

20. Lakshadweep

21. Lucknow

22. Lumbini

23. Mumbai

24. Shillong

25. Trivandrum

26. Tiruchirapalli