Hill Stations in India

Blessed with a pleasant climate all the year round, Solan is the district headquarters of Mashru, another city established by the British, is named after the Goddess, Soloni Devi, whose temple is located in the southern end of the town. Solan also remained capital of east, while Bhagat State for many years.

Solan is well known for its brewery 4.8 km from town started in 1835 with Anglo-German co-operation, and known as Dyer-Meakin Brewery, producing excellent larger beer and quality whisky. In 1950, it was taken over by the late Major Mohan, renamed Mohan-Meakin Breweries in 1966.

Chir pine clothes the Shimla Hills, which yields resin and timber, while apricots and walnuts grow all over the hills, maize and paddy are the two leading grains. Vegetables and Shimla variety of green chillies are extensively grown in the Shimla Hills. The area surrounding Solan in very rich in peas, tomatoes, ginger and beans.

Prime Attractions of Solan

Chail is a hill station visited by many tourists. The Deodar and Oak forests with grasslands around the township are the abode of wildlife. Chail sanctuary was notified on 21st March 1976 near Chail Town in District Shimla and covers an area of 10,854.36 hectares.
The sanctuary got its name from the Chur Peak, on the top of which sits a majestic status of Lord Shiva. One is sure to come across a large number of multi-coloured and agile Monals in the adjoining forests.
The Gurkha castles in Solan, Sirmour, Bilaspur and Shimla districts remind us of the life and time under the Gurkha regime. While most of the structures built by the Gurkhas have crumbled, the remaining few beckon tourists.
The Kamru fort is a silent sentinel, situated at a fearsome altitude of 2,600m above the sea level. This place is at a distance of 229-km from Shimla, and is a dense cluster of houses, surrounded by fields and orchards.
Solan district, also known as the 'Mahasu' district that is the most developed of all Himachal districts. The British loved Solan and built a number of small towns almost each of them with a with a cantonment area on its outskirts.
Once the capital of the princely state of Baghal, Arki has witnessed a good measure of turbulence in this area.
This forestry & horticulture university is the first one in Asia. It is spread over an area of 550 hectares in village of Naunj on the Solan-Rajgarh road in district Solan and is 15-km from the town. This university was established on 1st December 1985, the founder being Dr.Y.S.Paramour, the first chief minister of Himachal Pradesh. It is divided into 14 departments, which are looked after by a faculty of over 200 scientists & teachers. It offers under graduate, postgraduate & doctoral courses in horticulture, forestry & allied disciplines.
The temple of Goddess Sholoni Devi is situated at the southern part of the town and Solan was named after Devi Sholoni. The famous Shalooni fair is held here every year in the month of June over here, which is dedicated to Goddess Sholoni Devi.

Excursions from Solan

(8Km.)
Once just a brief stopover on the Kalka-Shimla highway, Barog town has grown to be destination in itself. Surrounded by pine trees and oak trees, Barog is located in an idyllic setting. The pines of Barog are full of cavort and pleasantries. Barog's railway station, on the Kalka-Shimla, is one of the most picturesque stations, modelled in the Scottish-style. (12Km.)
12-kms from Solan, this monastery is the second oldest monastery in the world after the one present in Tibet. (20Km.)
Enjoy your picnic amongst the cool waters of Giri, 20-kms from Solan. (6Km.)
This is a very old temple and every year an annual fair is organised here on the occasion of Mahashivratri, which makes it a must see place, just 6-kms away from Solan.

How To Get There - Solan

From Kasauli the nearest airport is Chandigarh and Shimla is the nearest airport from Solan. The nearest railhead is Kalka in Haryana, which is 40-km from Kasauli and 44-km from Solan. Solan is also well connected with narrow gauge railway line from Kalka. Solan and Kasauli are also well connected by roadway buses, coaches, and taxis, which are easily available from Chandigarh and Delhi.

Places To Stay - Solan

Hotel Pinewood, Barog
HTPDC's Tourist Resort, Solan
Tourist Bungalow, Solan

Maps

Climate - Solan

Solan is a bracing hillstation throughout the year but hotter as compared to Shimla. At the time of summer in Solan, cotton clothes are recommended as the temperature rises to 35 Celsius and light woolen to heavy woolens are required in winters as the temperature dips to -2 Celsius.

General Information - Solan

1,350m April to June & September to November Himachal Pradesh