Known for the Nalagarh Fort, this quiet town a is the gateway to Himachal Pradesh in North India located only 60 km from Chandigarh and is only at a distance of 300 km from Delhi. Nalagarh is a city and a municipal committee in Solan district in the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. The hill station is a scenic silent get away and is not crowded like the hills stations in Himachal Pradesh which are usually buzzing with tourists. The Nalagarh Fort is on the hills at the foot of the mighty Himalayas. Located at that height, the sight from the Fort is a breathtaking panoramic view of the Shivalik Hills. From here one can see the sparkling River Sirsa glistening and gushing across the mountains. A lot of pilgrims come to Nalagarh for here is the Naina Devi Temple.
History:
It was the seat of the eponymous princely state during the British Raj and known in medieval period as the state of Hindu. It was founded by the Chandella Rajputs in 1100AD. Nalagarh was ruled by the Chandela Rajputs. It is said that the Chandela kings were patrons of architecture and art. Raja Ram Chander who was another illustrious ruler of dynasty once upon a time was also a great builder who constructed Ramshere,a town and Ramgarh Fort. Raja Surendra Singh was the last ruler of Nalagarh and is succeeded by son Raja Vijayendra who is the present day ceremonial ruler of Nalagarh. At present the Nalagarh Fort is a heritage hotel most sought after places to enjoy a royal holiday experience.
Best For:
Excursions
Nature walks
Angling
Boating
The weather in Nalagarh is pleasant throughout the year. However tourists head to Nalagarh during Summer from late-April to June to beat the heat. During winter, from September to November is also the time when there is heavy snow which makes it a popular holiday destination. During the winters the temperature drops to a minimum of 0 C while the maximum temperature is 25.0 C. During Summer the max temperature is 30 C and minimum temperature is 25 C. The climate of Nalagarh is semi-tropical. The summer is hot and the winters dry and wet. Average temperature in summer could reach 32 degrees centigrade. Strong winds are experienced during the rainy season.
The Indian Rupee is the official currency of Nalagarh. Currency can be converted at the currency exchange counters at the Airport. Credit and debit cards are accepted in only big shops and major hotels.
No permits are required to travel to Nalagarh, other than a visa for India.
The Indira Gandhi International Airport, Delhi is well connected with most of the major cities in the world. It is located around 300 kms from Nalagarh.
The Major Airports are Chandigarh Airport and Delhi Airport.
By Air
Chandigarh is the nearest airport-60 kms from Nalagarh. Chandigarh is well connected to Delhi with regular flights. The Delhi Airport is 300 kms. International Flight:
The Indira Gandhi International Airport, Delhi is well connected with most of the major cities in the world. It is located around 300 kms from Nalagarh.
By Road
One can take the HRTC buses to reach Nalagarh. The distance by road from Delhi is around 300 kms and approximately it’s a 5 hours journey by road via Ambala-Pinjore or Chandigarh-Ropar. Nalagarh is 135 kms from Shimla , 220 km from Manali, 60 km from Chandigarh and 100 km from Ludhiana. By Rail
The nearest Railhead to reach Nalagarh is Chandigarh which is only 60 Km away and is well connected to Delhi and other major railway junctions.
Trekking
There are a lot of treks for those who are enthusiastic. However, these treks have a halt at Nalagarh. There treks are usually organized from Delhi via Nalagarh, Manali, Mcleodganj, Amritsar which ends at Delhi. So one can also opt for this option
Nalagarh Fort: The fort is located on a hillock at the foothills of the Himalayas, surrounded by endless acres of greenery. Replete with all modern amenities, Fort Nalagarh is an ideal retreat away from the maddening crowd. The Nalagarh Fort has a series of structures that are mostly built in the Mughal style of architecture.
Gobind Sagar Lake: For those who enjoy fishing, you can go the Gobind Sagar Lake, Gambar River and the Sutlej Barrage located around 22 km from Nalagarh.
Ramgarh Fort: It a good 21 kms trek to this Fort from Nalagarh fort and the best way to get to the Ramgarh fort is by a trek as you enjoy the nature doubling your trek as a nature walk. It is also an important landmark of the famous Gurkha Wars of the mid nineteenth century.
Anandpur Sahib : Located only 23 kms away, one can also visit this religious site.
Ropar Barrage : This is an ideal getaway for fishing and boating.
Where To Eat:
At Nalagarh one can enjoy a variety of cusines at some fancy restaurants to the small eatery stalls or dhabas. While one can savour the North Indian and Tandoori food at the Dhabas and small eateries, the restaurants also serve Continental, Chinese and South Indian delicacies.
Where To Stay:
The Nalagarh Fort which is now run as a Luxury hotel is a great option for accommodation. There are activities that is organized and tours organized for the tourists. The hotel is indeed a perfect blend of tradition and modernity.
The Nalagarh is certainly a great place to unwind from the noise and pollution of the overcrowded cities. The best way to get around the place is by walk as there is a lot to explore by way of nature walks in the lush green Nalagarh. However, a concern lies in the fact that Nalagarh hosts Production units for breweries, chemicals, leather, steel thereby causing pollution.
