Solan
was the capital of erstwhile princely State Baghat. Here on 26th January, 1948 a conference of princes of
various hill States of Western Himalayas and representatives of Prajamandals
fighting for independence from the yoke of princely rule was held under the
chairmanship of the State’s last prince Raja Durga Singh. The concept of
Himachal Pradesh was mooted in this conference to become a reality on the 15th April, 1948. Solan remained a Tehsil of
Mahasu District till 25th January,
1971 when Himachal Pradesh gained the status of fully fledged State and Solan
became the headquarters of District Solan.
It
is a lively town midway Kalka and Shimla, has railway stations and the famous
Brewery that was established in the year 1835 by Dyer Meakins (Mohan Meakins
today). It has been declared as the Mushroom city of India in the nineties
because here is produced a variety of button mushrooms. At a height of 1350m,
it has salubrious climate throughout the year. Temples of Shoolilni Devi,
Narshing and open parks are the places to visit in the town. Karol tibba
(peak), Meteol Tibba , Kotla nallah (stream), saproon springs are other places
of interest. Not far from Solan are Mareog, Gaura and Karkanu, the angling
spots by river Giri. Readers who want to read it solitude of Solan may enjoy
the facility of HP State Library here.
Dr.Y.S.Pramar University of Horticulture and Forestry is situated at Nauni at a
distance of 15km from the town. It nurtures 15,000 species of flora and has
successfully domesticated an enormous variety of herbs.
Hotels,
Rest Houses and Guesthouses provide comfortable stay. If staying in a private
hotel or guest house, it is advised to stay in those registered with the
Department of Tourism.
Places to visit in Solan Himachal Pradesh are below:
Chail: The summer capital of
the former princely State of Patiala built in the late 19th
century at a height of 2226m known for exquisite Palace Hotel of
HPTDC and at 2444.4m the highest cricket pitch and Polo Ground in the world.
Easy walks in and around Chail amidst green forests, stroll at wild life
sanctuary and fishing along Gaura river can be interesting.
Shilon Bagh: A private hotel where Shimla Queen Contest
is held is not far from here on Chail-Kufri road. Dochi, Maharaja Patiala’s farmhouse;
Known for exotic gladioli and other flowers, is hardly a few Km from Chail
on Chail Kandaghat road.
Barog
: Just
7km away from Solan, small village at a height of 1680m is
gradually developing into a township dotted with quite a few hotels
and eateries HPTDC also has Pinewood hotel here This little
township has come up on top of a hill through which runs the
longest tunnel in Kalka –Shimla Railway line .The northern
end of the tunnel opens on a tidily kept railway
station at Barog where exists a pretty, cozy dining
room having a wall clock marked with Benson of London, NW
Railway 1903.
Kasauli
: Its
proximity to plains,35 km away from Kalka, makes it more in demand
of tourists who flock in here when there blazes the sun Dainty
English style cottages, oldy goldy shops, forests of pine and
horse chestnut , magnificent view of the Gangetic
plains which turns into a spread of twinkling lights under
the cover of darkness ,refreshing mountain breeze and much more is
there at a height of 1927m of Kasauli .A vantage spot for views is
Monkey Point Dominating Choor Chandni[3647m]standing majestically above
all the lower hills leaves an imprint.
Sanawar
with a famous public, Garkhal with Shirdi Sai temple Sabathu with a cantonment
are other places worth visiting when in Kasauli.
Nalagarh: A diversion from Pinjore,
falling between Chandigarh and Kalka, towards west takes visitors to Nalagarh,
an ancient town that has the look of any town in the plains. The Fort
Nalagarh, a Heritage Hotel, where one can enjoy the nostalgia of the past in
the comforts of the present.
Arki: The capital of the
princely State of Baghal lies off Shimla-Bilaspur highway, Fine wall
paintings can Kaliseli, Brahmpukhar, Bari Dhar, Ghagnu Ghat and temple of
Vanya Devi may be interesting.
