An unexplored destination Solan in Himachal Pradesh is a must visit if one desires to rejuvenate and to experience true bliss. The weather is pleasant here throughout the year. This town is named after the Hindu deity Soloni Devi, there is also a temple dedicated to the Goddess in the south of the town. Solan is a tranquil spot located atop the Karol Mountain. Karol Mountain falls on the Shimla-Kalka highway route. Solan has its own quaint narrow gauge railway station, which is known to be very well done. This beautiful hill station is a scenic view and it also has natural springs that help keeping the valley lush green. The place is also known for an old brewery and a sprawling horticulture and forestry university. For all the adventure seekers, Solan hill station offers many adventure sports like trekking, rock climbing, mountaineering, etc at mountains nearby and also well stocked streams with a variety of game fish. One can go on long leisurely walks along the meandering roads that wind up the hill. The hill station is spotted with a number of streams and springs that make it a picture perfect location. The view from cottages and resorts up the hill is breath taking and it feels as though time has left this place untouched. Colourful and rare flowers fill the valleys, mountain, meadows and the forest slopes. The forest here is covered with walnuts, pines, pears, apricots and plums. The cultivated terraced fields grow beans, ginger, maize, paddy, tomatoes, green chilies and peas are all very popular. The Kalka-Shimla Toy Train passes through the district of Solan and provides beautiful sights for the locals. An ideal picnic spot, Solan is a hill station that should be visited while on the trip to Himachal Pradesh.
The princely states of Bhagal, Bhagat, Kunihar, Beja, Kuthar, Mangal, Mahlog, Nalagarh and parts of Keonthal and Kothi come in the district of Solan including the hilly areas of Punjab the merging of which dates back to 1966. The reorganization had taken place based on the basis of languages spoken. Between the period 1803 to 1805 it is said that these princely states were subjected to the onslaught of Gorkha invasion. In 1815 after the Britishers defeated the Gorkhas and these states attained freedom, they were restored to the respective rulers. Even before the independence, most of the states came under the supervision of the superintendent of Shimla Hill States. It was only in 1948 that Himachal Pradesh made it to the administrative map of the country and the states of Kuthar, Beja, Bagha, Bhagat, Mangal, Kunihar, Koti and Keonthal were a part of the then Mahasu District. Nalagarh state which was merged after Independence in Patiala and East Punjab State Union later on formed a part of Punjab when the reorganisation of the states took place in 1956 and remained a tehsil of Ambala District, Kandaghat and Shimla tehsils of Shimla district like other hilly areas of Kullu, Lahul and Spiti and Kangra districts become part of Himachal Pradesh on the Ist November, 1972 and Solan District sprang up on the administrative map of the state
Known for a pleasant weather throughout the year, Solan is comparatively hotter when compared to Shimla. The max temperature rises to 35°C in summer and drops to -2°C. The ideal time to visit Solan is between April to June and from September to November.
Most bigger hotels are able to change currency though one can get a better rate at bigger bank branches. A few hotels give the facility for currency exchange. However, there are currency change counters at the airport also. Most hotels and shops accept Visa and Mastercard. There are a number of ATMs around the city. Credit and debit cards issued by foreign banks are accepted here.
No permit is required to travel to Solan, other than a visa for India.
Solan is well connected by road and trains. One can get there from Chandigarh which is 68 kms away, approximately a journey of 2 hours. One can either opt for a bus, taxi or train. However, one could take a toy train from Kalka. This train would be slow but known for it’s scenic beauty along the way.
Getting Around – By air: Shimla is the nearest airport from Solan. Solan is around 40 kms away from Shimla.
Getting Around – By Road : Solan is on the Delhi – Kalka highway. Solan is well connected by roadway buses, coaches, and taxis, which are easily available from Chandigarh and Delhi. Most of the parts of the state are inter-linked by roads. The Himachal Road Transport Corporation operates buses almost along the whole state. Solan is just 315 Kms From New Delhi and 68 Kms from Chandigarh.
Getting Around – By Train : At a distance of 44 kms is the nearest railhead at Kalka in Haryana. Solan is also well connected with narrow gauge railway line from Kalka. Nearest major Railway station is Kalka to visit Solan. But from Kalka by Toy Train one can reach Solan. It is historical Rail line of the country.
Solan fair: Three days during the last week of June marks the celebration of the Solan fair. The fair is held in order to honour goddess 'Shulini' whose temple is situated in the nearby village named Solan. Tourists and devotees throng the place to catch the action of traditional dances, folk songs and wrestling.
Chail Sanctuary: Chail is a hill station visited by many tourists. The Deodar and Oak forests with grasslands around the township are the abode of wildlife covers an area of 10,854.36 hectares. It is a home to animals like rhesus macaque, leopards, Indian muntjac and goral crested porcupine. Some of the other species found in the area include Himalayan black bear, wild boar, common langur, sambar, black naped hare.
Churdhar Sanctuary area of Churdhar peak, with an elevation of 3647 metres above sea level is the highest peak in outer Himalayas.It is like a oasis of Alpinetemperate forests. Best time to visit is during summer and early winter. The view from Churdhar peak is breathtaking. Monals are common in the forest areas. Trekking can be done from Nohra, Sarain and Pulbahal.
Gurkha Castle: It is a 300 year old Fort that was built by the Gurkhas of Nepal. Built atop Dhar Mounatins, the view from this forest is breathtaking. One can have a birdeye view of Sirmour, Bilaspur and Shimla. Most of the fort is now in ruins.
Kamru Fort: 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.
Arki Fort: Once the capital of the princely state of Baghal, Arki has witnessed a good measure of turbulence in this area.
Dr. Yashwant Singh Paramar University Of Horticulture & Forestry: A first of it’s kind in Asia, this forestry & horticulture university is well known all over the world. Spread across 550 hectares in a village of Naunj. It is 15 kms from Solan.
Jatoli ShivTemple: Hindu devotees come to offer prayers on the occasion of Mahashivratri, when an annual fair is held. The temple is 6 kms from Solan.
Solan Brewary: This Brewary is 11 kms from Solan. It is in existence since 1855. This is one of the most famous brewary in India with one of it's famous products known as Solan Number 1.
Mohan Heritage Centre: A foundation stone was laid by The Prime Minister of India, to mark the setting up of a Rs 100-crore Heritage Park on being set up under the aegis of Mohan Meakin Breweries at Harat village, 14 kms from Solan.
Where To Eat:
The taste of food is diverse as one keeps traveling around Himachal Pradesh. Non-vegetarian food, with a generous dose of spices is very much the norm. The average Himachal kitchen churns out all sorts of meat, lentil and cereal preparations. Most of the hotels offer Indian, Chinese, Mughlai, and Gujrati cuisine. However, in a lot of local traditional cuisine locally-grown coarse grains like buckwheat, millet and barley are used. Most of the places offer North Indian food.
Where To Stay:
Some of the hotels you could consider to stay at in Solan are Hotel Pinewood, Tourist Bunglow, Solan Circuit house Barog, HTPDC's Tourist Resort, PWD, MES Inspection Bunglow, Forest and Municipal Committee Rest houses and many hotels
Solan receives heavy snowfall during winter season. Being the gateway to Shimla and it’s location on the Shimla-Kalka Highway makes it accessible and an important tourist destination of Himachal. If picnics, rambles and walks in the woods is what one is looking for, then Solan is the ideal holiday destination for you.
