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India.com
4 days ago
- General
- India.com
How Chandigarh City Got Its Name: The Fascinating History Behind It
Located at the base of the Shivalik hills, Chandigarh is a city that epitomizes modernity, urbanization, and fusion of cultures. Nicknamed as the City Beautiful, it is the capital of Punjab and Haryana, two major northern states of India. But beyond its clean sectors, abundant greenery, and stunning buildings, there is a wonderful story behind the name of the city. The name of Chandigarh has a mythology, history, and the dream of a newly independent India blended within it. The Mythological Connection The term 'Chandigarh' is a combination of the title of an ancient temple 'Chandi Mandir' placed nearby the city. The temple is focused on the worship of the Goddess 'chandi,' a formidable and fierce incarnation of Goddess Parvati or Durga in Hindu Religion. The word 'Chandigarh' is a mixture of 'Chandi' which stands for the Goddess and Garh which denotes a fortress or stronghold. Hence, Chandigarh literally means 'the fortress of Chandi.' As per the local stories, it was believed that the Goddess Chandi had killed the demon Chand-Mund at this place which resulted in bountiful peace in the region. The temple, which is far older than the city of Chandigarh, has been a place of worship and pilgrimage for devotees. It is one of the most significant is accepted that this powerful temple assisted in naming the city. The name captures the powerful and spiritually active past of the area and it equally speaks of the strength and courage of the region. The Myth Behind the Name The myth refers to is of the mighty goddess Chandi, the sole protector of the settlement who resides in the marvelous fort by the name of Chandigarh, located at the foothills of the Himalayas. The remaining components of the word suggest that Chandi is a symbol of power and strength. In short, the place has been named after a fierce goddess which has great strategic significance. Individually, the fragments of 'Chandigarh' give hints that the goddess Chandi had great importance when it came to military therefore, the fort served as her temple. The location selected for the new capital was a scenic site at the foot of the Shivalik range close to the existing village of Chandigarh. The name 'Chandigarh' was selected to pay homage to the ancient Chandi Mandir and to relate the city with its culture and history. It was an attempt to link the modern city with the rich heritage of India. The Vision of a Modern City This is why Chandigarh was known as 'the city of tomorrow', free from the shackles of the world that once was. Nehru had it right when he called it 'the city of tomorrow', a place that encapsulates everything a newly free nation hopes to be. The name 'Chandigarh' brought both the past and the future together. Le Corbusier had a revolutionary vision when he developed his master plan for Chandigarh. The city was said to have a distinctive feature, which was the division of the city into sectors. Along with the high court, the secretariat and the legislative assembly, the heart of the city was a place that brought all the administrative buildings together; This is known as the Capitol Complex. Along with the hand of open monument, one of many other structures, gently kissed the ground. This structure became a representation of peace and the unity of the people. The name 'Chandigarh,' even with the cutting-edge design, has helped retain the city's essence. It acted as a reminder for the people to never forget the region's religion and history, even when the city has represented an epitome of progress and invention. Chandigarh Today Chandigarh is acclaimed not just for its architectural finesse but also for the standards of life, and npolar cleanliness and greenery. Chandigarh is one of the most well-planned cities in India and it has regularly performed well in the terms of lifestyle. 'Chandigarh,' still instills a sense of pride among the locals who relish the amenities and the modern culture which surrounds them. The name of the city is a proof of its existence in two domains—a time when the history and the future blend together perfectly. Be it the tranquil charm of Sukhna Lake, the busy shopping hubs of Sector 17 or the divinity of Chandi Mandir, Chandigarh provides an amalgamation of experiences which capture the history as well as the future of the city. Chandigarh is the City Beautiful due to its forward-looking urban designs as it's deeply rooted in tradition. The modern marvels of urban design blend in perfectly with the ancient temple of Chandi Mandir. The name Chandigarh honors the past and embraces the future. Instead, Chandigarh encapsulates the city's essence that speaks of its visionary planning. The story of how Chandigarh got its name is an amazing journey that weaves together the past and present.
Yahoo
30-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Here's where Orlando ranks in Sports Business Journal's top soccer cities list
Editor's note: This story is available as a result of a content partnership between WFTV and the Orlando Business Journal. Orlando ranks just outside the top 10 in Sports Business Journal's Best Sports Business Cities for Soccer. Advertisement The City Beautiful weighed in at No. 11 in the third-annual ranking of sports business cities. The list this year focused on elements such as long-term tenure of teams in the market, presence of new or upgraded venues, frequency of high-profile soccer events hosted, sponsorship opportunities and input from industry insiders. Click here to read the full story on the Orlando Business Journal's website. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
Miami Herald
24-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Miami Herald
Playwright celebrates Coral Gables Centennial with a personal story about the city
The year was 1925 and Miami looked very different — fewer buildings, a lot more marshy wetland. Prohibition was in full effect and there was a land boom that could put today's real estate market to shame. It was also the same year the City of Coral Gables was incorporated. In celebration of the City Beautiful's centennial, the Actors' Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre is hosting 'Greetings From Paradise,' a limited five-night engagement theatrical experience by June Thomson Morris that will transport audiences back in time. The play, opening on Tuesday, tells the story about Miami's development and the land boom of the 1920s that changed the city's landscape forever. It parallels the stories of developers George Merrick, who established Coral Gables, and Carl Fisher, who built the Miami Beach we know today. Behind the plot of these two real estate titans is a love story about a young girl from Indiana who boards a train to meet a boy in Miami. As Lucy and Robert's relationship progresses, so does the city around them. The story is particularly personal for playwright Morris. The characters of Lucy and Robert are based on her grandparents. 'As a little girl, I heard the story [about Miami's development] directly from my grandmother's lips. She would tell me how she got on a train at age 19 back in 1924 and left her small town in Indiana and rode Henry Flagler's East Coast Railroad down to Miami… all to meet a man that she had met at a dance in Indianapolis.' While Morris has always dreamed of writing the story of how her grandparents met and fell in love, she has also been fascinated by Florida's history. 'I've been intrigued with the story of the great Florida land boom of 1925,' says Morris. 'And I love the fact that my grandparents are part of that history.' A journalist by trade (she earned a master's degree from Northwestern's University's Medill School of Journalism and worked in broadcast news at television stations throughout the country as an anchor and reporter), Morris knows the importance of facts and research. She spent nearly a year gathering information on Miami's history and would pore over books and archives. After she'd collected ample material, Morris says when she sat down to write, the story came to her effortlessly. 'I could hear the characters' voices in my head,' Morris says, a bright smile crossing her lips. 'What I really want to do [with this play] is bring Florida's history to life. We're talking about the Magic City, and I'm surprised as to how many people have never heard the history of Miami or know very little about it.' Thomson knows a bit about Coral Gables. Her mother, Dorothy Thomson, made history as the first and only female mayor of Coral Gables in its first 100 years. David Arisco, artistic director for Actors' Playhouse, who is directing 'Greetings From Paradise,' applauds Morris' storytelling. He recalls that when she first approached him two years ago with a rough script, he knew that he was reading something special. 'I thought it was a really interesting project, and I really wanted to be involved, especially with the Miracle Theatre being right in downtown Coral Gables and the centennial,' says Arisco. Over the next two years, the pair would workshop the script and the timing for its premiere on April 29 would align perfectly – it was the exact day the City of Coral Gables was incorporated in 1925. 'It's a good play,' says Arisco. 'I think it's a story that needs to be told.' He describes it almost like watching a dramatic documentary. 'It has elements that are a bit like a documentary but at the same time it's a play. We've got a great cast to tell this story.' Arisco continues, 'We're meeting characters like George Merrick and Carl Fisher and Doc Dammers [Edward 'Doc' Dammers was the first mayor of Coral Gables]. And though the story is more specific to Coral Gables, because Merrick and Fisher were kind of doing their thing at a similar time, we thought it was fun to include a bit about the Miami Beach story and to show Merrick and Fisher as these dual visionaries who did incredible things.' Actor Gregg Weiner, most recently seen in Miami New Drama's 'Lincoln Road Hustle,' plays Fisher and describes the man as an adrenaline junkie. In addition to developing Miami Beach, Fisher also helped to build Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the Indy 500. He liked speed — and attention. 'He was a big man, he was a proud man, and he appreciated attention and liked taking risks,' says Weiner. Through his own research and conversations with Morris, Weiner developed his version of Fisher. 'We see him at the height of his achievements. He's built something out of nothing, which is astonishing to me, and he really appreciates all of his accomplishments,' says the actor. 'Greetings From Paradise' is Morris' debut play. She reveals that she has plans to develop the script into a full-length feature film while continuing to work on stories about Miami's development. 'After this is done, I want to get back to the screenplay and perhaps write a book where I can round out Miami's history with all the truth,' says Morris. 'My grandparents' story is one I've always wanted to tell, but the time has come to tell a fuller story, a truthful story, and I hope to do that next.' If you go: WHAT: 'Greetings From Paradise' by June Thomson Morris WHERE: Actors' Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre, 280 Miracle Mile, Coral Gables WHEN: 6 p.m. Tuesday (special Centennial Gala presentation, limited availability); 8 p.m., Wednesday, Thursday, May 1 and Friday, May 2; noon Saturday, May 3. COST: Regular performances, $65-$75, includes $10 service fee. INFORMATION: (305) 444-9293 or is a nonprofit media source for the arts featuring fresh and original stories by writers dedicated to theater, dance, visual arts, film, music and more. Don't miss a story at
Miami Herald
12-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Miami Herald
How Coral Gables plans to bring Taylor Swift into our minds and souls in 2025
Coral Gables just may be holy ground for a double shot of Taylor Swift this spring and fall. No, the superstar isn't retooling the Eras Tour for a Miami concert reprise. But Swift's spirit, her messages and her brand are going to be felt within a few miles of one another in the City Beautiful — the first set inside a church and the next in the higher education halls of academia. Think of it as food for your soul and for your brain, Swiftie style. Swift in church and university The first shot of Swift, open to all, is 'The Gospel According to Taylor Swift,' a 60-minute sermon using her music as a theme at Coral Gables Congregational Church on April 27. The sermon will be led by the Rev. Laurinda 'Laurie' Hafner, who has become a community star for her imaginative sermons that blend tradition with the not-so-traditional. 'It seems like the right time to lift Taylor Swift up and to celebrate her music as there is probably not a more timely musician who speaks to the many issues that are confronting us as individuals and even as a nation these days,' Hafner said. 'Issues such as loneliness, community, creating strong young women, courage, truthfulness, grief, changes and love.' The second appearance is in late August when Alyse Lancaster, the University of Miami's vice dean for academic affairs, brings back her popular Mastermind of the Taylor Swift Brand class to UM. Last fall, her initial STC 290 class used Swift's career to teach marketing, advertising and the use of social and traditional media. The class filled nearly 200 seats and was featured on two episodes of Peacock's recent docuseries 'The Swift Effect.' Lancaster's first Mastermind class capitalized on the excitement surrounding Swift's Eras Tour that played three sold-out shows at Miami Gardens' Hard Rock Stadium. Even without a mega tour as a lure, Lancaster is confident the second semester this August, which is open to enrollment for all majors, should do well. Swift certainly has something exciting planned for 2025, Lancaster said, laughing, even if it's just the release of the oft-discussed 'Reputation (Taylor's Version)' album package. Sharing Taylor's message Hafner's annual 'The Gospel According to ...' themed sermons utilize the sounds of pop music to spread the gospel, but we're not exactly referencing the catalogs of contemporary Christian pop stars like TobyMac, Chris Tomlin, MercyMe or even yesteryear's Amy Grant. That would be too obvious. Rather, it's the secular music of Jimmy Buffett last year and previously tapped bodies of work from Dolly Parton, Lady Gaga, Gloria Estefan, Fleetwood Mac and Elton John that inspire Hafner's all-ages sermons. Here's how the church flier is touting this year's attraction: Get out the friendship bracelets and your finest glitter clothes and join us for Sunday worship filled with music by this extraordinary storyteller whose honest lyrics provide powerful sermons about loving, losing, grieving, changing, and growing up. 'Many of her songs are inspiring and meaningful sermons in their own right and while she doesn't necessarily write 'religious songs,' many of her songs hold the values, morality and hope of our faith tradition,' Hafner said. And, like UM's Lancaster, she has seen the allure of Swift in person and can capitalize on her brand to feed the mind and the soul. Both women took their daughters to last October's Eras concerts at Hard Rock Stadium. 'I have never received so many requests from our congregation's young people than I have about doing 'The Gospel According to Taylor Swift.' I usually do music that comes from my life — '70s and '80s music because I know and love it best — but Taylor transcends generations,' Hafner said. 'The fact that my 70-year-old self was with my 26-year-old daughter at her concert and we were surrounded by folks of all ages in between and beyond, talks about Taylor's appeal and ability to speak to common issues confronting people of all ages.' If you go ▪ The Gospel According to Taylor Swift sermon is at 11 a.m. to noon, Sunday, April 27, inside the sanctuary at Coral Gables Congregational Church, 3010 DeSoto Blvd., and will stream online at There is no charge. ▪ Mastermind of the Taylor Swift Brand enrollment has begun for UM students. The fall 2025 semester begins Aug. 18.
