Chandi Mandir

The city is named after this shrine: Chandigarh means the fort of Chandi, the fierce form of Durga worshipped here long before anyone drew a grid across the plain. It sits by the Chandigarh–Kalka highway about 15 km out, small and worn smooth by use rather than grand. Locally it is honoured as a Siddh Peeth, a seat where wishes are granted, and it now shares a shrine board with Mansa Devi. Shoes come off at the entrance and there is no ticket. Easy to fold into the drive towards Pinjore and Kalka.

Meet the goddess whose fort the whole city is named after, 15 km up the Kalka road