Introduction :
Kasauli is a cantonment and town, located in Solan district in the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. The cantonment was established by the British Raj in 1842. Situated 77 kilometers (48 mi) from Shimla, 65 kilometers (40 mi) from Chandigarh, and 50 kilometers (31 mi) from Panchkula. The hill station lies at a height of more than 1,800 meters (6000 ft.)
Tourism :
Kasauli in recent times has become an ideal weekend destination for urban dwellers, owing to its close proximity to big cities like Chandigarh & New Delhi, its natural beauty and its colonial charm.
Climate :
The climate varies from pleasant in summers (despite the heat wave from the plains) to a little above freezing in winters, the monsoons are the best time to visit, one can actually breathe the mist clouds & the hills are transformed into emerald green pastures, it usually gets chilly at nights so light woolens are required.
Time zone :
IST (UTC+5:30)
Coordinates :
30.9*N76.96*E
Tourist Spots & Landmarks
The Hill station of Kasauli is popular with tourists for sites like…
- Cantonment :
British time cantonment town still retains its old charm and colonial buildings.
- Bazaar and Mall road :
Host to tiny Tibetan and locally owned shops and cafes, one can get great bargains on the stuff. While in Kasauli one must try out the famous street food item of Kasauli the ‘bun-samosa’ from Narinder Sweets.
- Christ Church :
An Anglican church built by the British, the church contains Spanish and Italian imported stained glass windows depicting Christ, Mary, Saint Barnabas and Saint Francis. It still retains its 150+ year old charm till date.
- Manki Point a.k.a. Tapp’s Nose :
According to local legend; Lord Hanuman, during his quest to find the rare herb known as the ‘sanjavni booty’ scaled the peak where the temple is built today, to have a clear view of the greater Himalayas where it was rumored that the rare herb flourished back then.
- Nahri Mandir :
The Nahri temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva and Goddess Durga, is believed to have been built around 150 years ago. Also known as the Jantar Mantar Choo Mantar Mahadev Mandir, this temple is famous for its festive celebrations of Shivratri and Dushera. The temple houses beautiful idols of Lord Shiva and Goddess Durga- placed inside the sanctum of the temple. Above the temple, there is a century-old “bauri” (a natural source of water) which still provides sweet potable water. The temple is visited by hundreds of pilgrims every year to offer their prayers to the almighty, and find solace in its enchanting and divine ambience.
Gilbert Hill Nature walk, Mount walk & Sunset Point :
- Baba Balak Nath Temple :
It is belief of local woman folk that infertility is cured if one prays in the temple.
- The Lawrence School Sanawar :
One of the first co-educational boarding schools in the world & the best known boarding school of India, was originally used as recreational asylum for British soldiers and later a boarding school, members of Indian royalty, Statesmen, Generals, Artists etc. are amongst many illustrious old sanawarians.
- Kasauli Club :
One of the oldest clubs of north India, established in 1880 by the British, it is membership is the most sought after in north India, with a life time waiting for new applicants, its members include personalities like Rahul Bose, Khushwant Singh etc.
- Kasauli Brewery :
One of the oldest breweries in northern India, during the British ‘Lion beer’ was manufactured and sold locally to British occupants, It was taken over by Mohan – Meaken breweries but discontinued thereafter.