Solan in a glance :
Coordinates : 30.905 N, 77.097 E
State : Himachal Pradesh
Solan is the largest Municipal Council of Himachal Pradesh, it is located 46 kilometres south of the state capital, Shimla. At an average elevation of 1,600 metres (5,200 ft). The place is named after the Hindu goddess Shoolini Devi. Every year in the month of June, a fair venerating the goddess is held, featuring a 3-day mela at the central Thodo grounds.
How to reach Solan :
By air:There are no regular flights to Solan. It is suggested to instead book a flight till Chandigarh the closest airport to Solan.
By train:Solan houses the Solan railway station that is well frequented by trains from all over the country.
By road:Solan is well connected via roads. One can find many state run or private busses offering shuttle service till Solan from Delhi and other nearby cities.
Places to visit and things to do in Solan
Arki
Pic.Credit:www.4to40.com
At a distance of about 60 kms from Solan is the town of Arki. Take a day trip to Arki and witness its rustic heritage and centers of spirituality and religion.
Children’s Park
Pic.Credit:Housing.ucdavis.edu
If you are with kids, visit this park to spend some enjoyable time here The park has animal rides, swings, a caf? and even a musical fountain.
Darlaghat
Pic.Credit:Cityguide.ibphub.com
This is a wildlife sanctuary that houses a number of wildlife species like leopards, Black Bear, Sambars and barking deer. It is located on the Shimla-Bilaspur road which is at a distance of 35 kms from Shimla.A number of eco treks are also conducted here by the HPTDC, from time to time.
Jawahar Park
Pic.Credit:Alongthegardenspath
Visit this simple yet well maintained park in Solan to spend some relaxed and enjoyable time. The park has some beautiful fountains, rides, as small zoo and a baby train. One may also spot a few rabbits here. It is a perfect place to spend some idle time, especially if you are with kids.
Kasauli
Pic.Credit:Blogspot.com
Less than an hour away from Solan, is the quiet and calm town of Kasauli. With Pine trees and hills all around, Kasauli is the perfect getaway from Solan, with just the right amount of hustle and bustle and down its Mall road.
Kuthar Fort
Pic.Credit:Kuthar.files
Claimed to be around 800 years old, this is the oldest historical monument around this region. The fort is spread over a large area and has a number fresh-water springs. Walk around this ancient structure to find a few more monuments such as the Gurkha For and more.
Majathal Sanctuary
Pic.Credit:Maketimetoseetheworld.com
Spread across an area of 55,670 sq kms this wildlife sanctuary is a forested area and has a wide variety of flora and fauna. A lot of endangered species can be found here, including the Cheer Pheasant.
Menri Monastery
Pic.Credit:Itchyfeetmagazine.files
One of the oldest monasteries in India, the Menri Monastery is one of the most colorful places in Solan. Visit the monastery to celebrate calmness, spirituality and Buddhism in this commercial town of Solan.
Nalagarh Palace
Pic.Credit:Nalagarh.in
Located at the top of a hill, the Nalagarh Palace has well manicured gardens and a panoramic view of the city below. This majestic structure adorns both Mughal and Indian styles of architecture. The palace has undergone some major restoration work and has been converted into a heritage resort.
Shoolini Mata Temple
Pic.Credit:Blogspot.com
The Shoolini Temple is dedicated to Goddess Shoolini and is one of the oldest and holiest temples in this region. It also hosts an annual fair in the month of June, each year, celebrated with much grandeur and vibrance.
Solan Brewery
Pic.Credit:Staticflickr.com
One of the oldest breweries in the country, the Solan brewery was started back in 1855 and has now been converted into a distillery. Started by an Englishman, it is now run by Mohan Meakin Ltd. This is located very close to the Solan railway station.
What to Eat in Solan:
Local Food and Cuisine
Solan has a lot of options for food, especially for those who want to explore and relish the local cuisines of Himachal. While a staple meal here consists of Dal, Rice, Roti, Vegetables and Curd, the area does have a number of traditional delicacies to savor. These include Poodle, Lushke (A local version of pancake), Sidu (a kind of bread), Pachole and more. Other than these, Solan being a popular tourist destination has a lot of good cafes and restaurants which offer decent food at reasonable prices. This region is famous for roasted corn and seasonal fruits and vegetables. Also relish the mouth-watering street food here. Solan Channa, Samosas, Jalebis are just some of the items that one should not miss here.
