Places of Religious, Historical, Archaeological and Tourist Interest in District Solan

Solan district has many places which provide an incomparable pictures and natural scenes from the tourist point of view and also has many religious and historical places. A few of these are elucidated below:

Chail:

• This tourist resort is located at a distance of 45 kms. from Solan and 43 kms. from Shimla.
• Chail is connected with a pucca all-weather motorable road.
• With a lush green setting, this was the former summer capital of the Patiala state.
• At 2,250 meters above mean sea level, it has the world’s highest cricket pitch and polo ground.
• The Himachal Pradesh Tourist Development Corporation is running a hotel that used to be the palace of Maharaja Patiala.
• This hotel is located at a ridge which provides more thrill and glimpses of colourful natural view to the visitors.

Kandaghat:

• It is situated on Kalka-Shimla National Highway at a distance of 15 kms. from Solan and 30 kms. from Shimla.
• The place was famous during the time of erstwhile rulers of Patiala.
• The climate of this place is semi-temperate and off-season vegetables and fruits are the speciality of the place.
• The road for Chail is bifurcated from this place as such it provides resting place to the tourists.
• The place is also known for the Indira Gandhi Holiday Home.

Kasauli:

• Kasauli is a beautiful small town situated at a distance of 32 kms. from Solan and 77 kms. from Shimla.
• This place is at a height of 1,927 meters from the mean sea level.
• This tourist resort is suitable for the summer vacation.
• The famous Lawrence Public School at Sanawar is on the opposite ridge of the town.
• The Central Research Institute engaged in the research and manufacturing of various vaccines is located in the town.
• The tehsil headquarters office is also located in the town.
• This quit little town is surrounded by mixed forests of Chir, Pine, Himalayan Oak, and huge horse-chestnuts.
• Its narrow roads slither up and down the hillsides and offer some magnificent vistas.
• The town is locally administered by Cantonment Board.

Solan:

• Solan is located on Kalka-Shimla National Highway at a distance of about 50 kms. from Kalka and 48 kms. from Shimla.
• The altitude of this place is 1,453 meters from the mean sea level.
• The place became the district headquarters in September, 1972. Since then, the place is being developed rapidly.
• Solan is also coming up on the industrial map of the state.
• The dust-free moderate climate is suitable for many industries.
• Solan is also developing as a wholesale market in offseason vegetables, stone-fruits and as a business centre for many other goods.
• Solan has a hotel of Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation in addition to P.W.D. Rest House and Municipal Committee Rest House.
• Many hotels and restaurants have also come-up keeping in view the influx of tourists almost throughout the year.
• In its surrounding areas, some places like Barog have been developed and have ample facilities and natural attractions for tourists.

Dagshai:

• This place is situated at a distance of 15 kms. from Solan on Shimla-Kalka road, with a motorable link of one Km. from Kumarhatti.
• The altitude of this place is 1,922 meters from the mean sea level.
• The place is a health resort as well as a place of natural beauty.
• The town is administered by Cantonment Board.

Parwanoo:

• It is situated on Kalka-Shimla National Highway only 3 kms. away from Kalka.
• The town is old opening way to the Himachal Pradesh for the people of Punjab and Haryana.
• The town is rapidly developing as an Industrial Estate in Himachal Pradesh.
• Many medium and large scale industries have come-up in Parwanoo.
• The town is locally administered by the Municipal Council.
• A few other offices like Electricity, H.R.T.C., Town and Country Planning Office etc. are also located in this town.

Subathu:

• It is connected by a motorable road from Solan as well as from Dharmpur.
• It is located at a distance of about 24 km. from Solan.
• This place got its importance after the establishment of the Gorkha Training Centre.
• In the olden days, Subathu was known as a famous business centre and a trading center for agriculture produce.
• This place is also considered to be a health resort.
• The town is administered by Cantonment Board.

Nalagarh:

• This place is 82 km. from Solan and is connected by a motorable road.
• Nalagarh town was the capital of erstwhile Nalagarh rulers before its merger with the Indian Union.
• The town is located at the foothills of Shiwalik hills and directly connected with the plains.
• It has also a fort on the top of the town.
• Small hills facing the town provide a unique view for the tourists.
• Nalagarh town has grown-up as an industrial area.
• Many small and medium scale industries are already functioning in the area providing ample opportunity for employment to the youths.

Arki:

• This small town is at a distance of 55 km. from Solan and is connected by a motorable road.
• This place has a historical significance because of the capital of the erstwhile ruler.
• It has a big fort on the top of the town.
• The town is administrated by a Nagar Panchyat.
• The place is the headquarters of the subdivisional office and other offices like tahsil office, irrigation, P.W.D., etc.
• A cave is also adjacent to this town. This cave has religious importance and is known as a cave of Lord Shiva. This place is visited on various occasions by many devotees.

Read also: Fairs and Festivals of District Solan