Solan - city in Himachal Pradesh

Solan town is a city in Himachal Pradesh. Located on the Punjab-Himachal Border, Solan is nestled in the Shivalik hills of the Himalayas. Solan has ancient temples and monasteries, and the city has one of the oldest breweries in the country. This city also has a 300-year-old fort at the top of a hill. The Shoolini Mata Temple and Jatoli Shiv Temple are popular places for tourists. One of the most famous monasteries in this region is the Yundung Monastery.

Understand

The place is named after the Hindu goddess Shoolini Devi. Every year in June, a fair venerating the goddess is held, featuring a 3-day mela at the central Thodo ground. Solan was the capital of the erstwhile princely state, Baghat.

It is known as the "Mushroom city of India] because of the vast mushroom farming in the area, and because of the Directorate of Mushroom Research (DMR) at Chambaghat.

Solan is also called the "City of Red Gold", due to the bulk production of tomatoes in the area.

Get in

Solan is 70 km from Chandigarh, 300 km from Delhi, and 45 km south of Shimla, is easily approachable through road route by state transport buses or taxis (₹1000 from Chandigarh and 3500 from Delhi); is en-route Shimla on NH-22.

The narrow-gauge Kalka-Shimla railway passes through Solan. All trains from Kalka to Shimla stop over at Solan.

The nearest airport is the Shimla Airport.

Get around

Seventy kilometers from Chandigarh and in proximity to Shimla, Solan draws a large number of tourists every year.

The star attraction for tourists is its three parks, namely Jawahar Park, Children Park and Mohan Park. The 7000-foot high Koral cave and a variety of stone fruit are other attractions. The walks, roads and shopping joints of this city are beautiful. The fruits are cheap and fresh.

See

• Children Park, 30.90889°, 77.09957°.
• Hari Mandir, 30.90580°, 77.10646°. A Lord Krishna temple.
• Jatoli Temple (jal kund), 30.88063°, 77.12712°. About 7 km from D.C. office, this is the temple near Apple weldmesh industry. Major attraction on Rajgarh road
• Jaunaji drive (Jaunaji Road), 30.91045°, 77.10996°.
• Karol ka Tibba.
• Mohan Park, Chambaghat, 30.9187°, 77.10173°. A small park providing greenery and pretty mountain views.
• Mohan Shakti National Heritage Park, Hart, 30.93606°, 77.14891°. The park spreads over 40 acres of land on the right bank of river Ashwani. It lies in Hart Village which takes a detour of around 6 km from the main highway after Salogra. At the centre of the park, is a grand temple where a magnificent collection of statues of gods and goddesses are installed. The project will feature a meditation centre inside a cave, a theme park, fountains and landscaped gardens, and a ropeway trolley.
• Shoolini Temple, 30.90926°, 77.10836°.

Do

• Trek to Karol Tibba & Meteol Tibba. At 2237 metres "Karol Ka Tibba" is the highest point near Solan. A temple dedicated to Goddess Kali has been constructed on the hill top. The 5.6-km (one way) moderate trek starts from Chambaghat and can be completed in 3 hours.
• Trek to Pandava Gufa. Locals believe it to be the oldest and longest (around 28 km) cave in the Himalayan region. They also believe that the Pandavas from Mahabharata lived and meditated in this cave during their exile. Owing to this religious connection, a temple is constructed beside the cave. The other end of the cave is believed to be at Pinjore (Haryana).

Eat

Solan is renowned for its roasted corn, and is famous for its seasonal fruits and vegetables. The fresh cucumber is great and the fresh corn is the sweetest.

• Anupama. Almost good. Multi-cuisine, also offers buffet lunch.

• Cafe 7. A multi-cuisine restaurant. A class apart from rest of the restaurants in Solan.

• Chanakya. Clean hygienic vegetarian food, Chinese, sandwiches, burgers, pizzas, Indian chats, fresh fruit juices, ice-creams. A quaint little haven, decorated in bamboo-wood-motifs-strawroof fervor. Makes for a good evening sit out and the music here is very fascinating. A must visit indeed.

• Himalayan Coffee House. It is one of the most oldest coffee house in Solan. A most favourite place for office goers for a cup of coffee or tea along with some snacks. One can grab some nice South Indian preparations.

• Himani, Mall Road. Mid-range, multi-cuisine, bar and restaurant. Expensive compared to other in Solan; but preferred by the business traveller.

• Paragon. Check out the South-Indian cuisine, others too not quite bad.

Must haves.... Solan chana, on the mall road, near old bus stand. Famous sweets on different sweet shops. Samosa at Rattanjee's mall road, burfi at Preemjee's old bus stand, Jalebi in upper bazar/chowk bazar (paddu Halwai), gulab jamun at Sharma Sweets near DC office.

Drink

• Anchor Bar. A classy bar, an ideal hang-out spot. Tastefully done up interiors follow a unique, nautical theme.
• Green bar & restaurant. It is an old classic bar at old bus stand.
• Ice-Spice, 30.90895°, 77.10036°. Offers various Chinese food on the top floor along with bar in the middle.
• Mohan Meakin Brewery, 30.92993°, 77.11438°. See if you could drink from the tap it's a feeling of mellow high straight and fresh--ask for permission though.
• Solan Brewery. It is known for its beer. Mohan Meakin is a large group of companies started with Asia's first brewery incorporated in 1855.

Sleep

There are a large number of hotels offering accommodation facilities to visitors. For the high-end travelers, there are the luxury hotels and resorts of the town. Those who are concerned about rentals, the economy and budget hotels of Kasauli are the best bet. In case you want to get a taste of royalty, make sure to book a room at one of the heritage hotels in Kasauli.

• Lemon Tree Hotel, NH-21 A, Baddi-Nalagarh Highway (just off the Baddi-Nalagarh National Highway), +91 01792-253333. Set in the industrial town of Baddi. 2018-05-22

Go next

• Sadhu Pul is around 18-20 km from Solan. Beautiful water falls on the way and you reach a heavily flowing gorge good for fishing and swimming.
• Another few kilometers ahead there is a place called Chail, which has history of its own. Patiala's king is known to have picked up the most beautiful girl of Shimla town from the Mall Road and that point is known as Scandal Point.
• You can visit Kasauli which is also an army base and a beautiful town known for its Snawar School.