Giant Hands of Chandigarh, India

Le Corbusier, famous Swiss-French architect, urban planner and one of the pioneers of modern architecture was very enamoured with "Open Hand" symbol. One of his most famous project was the planned city of Chandigarh, India and the city authorities adopted the "Open Hand" as the emblem/symbol of the of Chandigarh. There are several Giant Open Hands scattered in and around Chandigarh. Here are three larger ones.

Open Hand Monument, Chandigarh
This Open Hand Monument was designed by Le Corbusier himself and is largest of his many Open Hand sculptures. It symbolizes "the hand to give and the hand to take; peace and prosperity, and the unity of mankind".

The Monument located in the Capitol complex of Chandigarh, in the backdrop of the Shivalik mountain range of outer Himalayas, stands 26 metres (85 ft), high out of which the metal hand is 14 metres (46 ft) high and weighs 45 metric tonnes (100,000 lb). The hand is mounted on a swivel and rotates like a vane with the wind.

Image from Flickr is by Shubh Singh

Image from Panoramio is by Fernando Stankuns

View location in Google Earth / Google Maps

More info: Wikipedia

Open Hand Cut-out, Sukhna Lake
Also known as Chandigarh Peace Symbol. Installed on the shores of Lake Sukhna, it was gifted to the city in December 2003, by the Rotary International on 50th year of its founding.

Image from Flickr is by Nitin Badhwar

Image from Wikimedia Commons is by ShashankSharma2511

View location in Google Earth / Google Maps

Open Hand Motif, Sukhna Lake
Open Hand is a favourite Le Corbusier and symbol of Chandigarh can be found at many places in Chandigarh. Here is a motif of Open Hand built on a shoe shaped islet in the Sukhna Lake, Chandigarh.

Image Source: Google Maps

View location in Google Earth


These giant hands are also being included in the "Giant Hands Around The World" collection.


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