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PLACES
TO VISIT
Barog
Barog once just a stopover on the Kalka-Shimla
highway, this town has grown to be a destination in itself. Surrounded
by pine forests, it presents a fascinating view of the Churdhar Peak,
which poetically translates into 'Mountain of the Silver Bangle'. HPTDC
runs hotel Pinewood here and Barog is increasingly becoming a popular
conference destination too.
Chail
Chail was the summer capital of the former princely state of Patiala. It
came into being in the late nineteenth century when its handsome and
dashing Maharaja Bhupender Singh was banished from Shimla, the summer
capital of British India for a dalliance with the British Commander
in-Chiefs daughter. Smarting at this insult, Bhupender Singh began
exploring the neighboring hills with a single guiding force to find a
hill that was within sight of Shimla but higher. The little village of
Chail seemed perfect. Shimla lay within direct vision, and most
important, Chail was higher than the British controlled Shimla town.
Large tracts of the land here already belonged to him. This had been
given to his ancestors for services rendered during the Gurkha wars
which had come to an end in 1815-16. A site was selected and the
Maharaja began building his summer palace.
But an ill omen seemed to hang over the construction area. Local legend
has it that the moment anything was built, it would collapse over night.
Dozens of snakes would appear from nowhere and attack the laborers. Then
Bhupinder Singh had a dream. A sage appeared before him and declared
that the site the Maharaja had chosen was where he had meditated till he
was taken by the earth, and his peace should not be disturbed. The
Maharaja had the sages blessing to build on any other spot. Bhupinder
Singh moved to another site and at the original spot which is about a
kilometer from the Palace Hotel he had a temple built to the sage.
Here the stone embodiment of the sage may still be seen along with the
iron tongs and trident. The shrine is known as the Sidh Baba Ka Mandir
and is revered by many who claim that the sage has the power to grant
boons. Meanwhile Bhupinder Singh had another site leveled out and a
splendid mansion was built and sumptuously furnished. And at 2226 m, a
good hundred meters above Shimlas average height, Bhupinder Singhs
summer capital was prepared to take on the British one at equal terms.
Kiarighat
A little short of Shimla, Kiarighat was once a Dak
bungalow. Now HPTDC runs a Tourist inn here.
Kasauli
Located at 1,927 metres above sea level is a
quaint little town Kasauli that seems to exist in a time wrapped in an
era that reminds of the 19th century. Its colonial ambience is
reinforced by cobbled paths, quaint shops, gabled houses with charming
facades and scores of neat little gardens and orchards. Kasauli is
surrounded by a mixed forest of chir-pine, Himalyan oak and huge
horse-chestnuts. Its narrow road slithers up and down the hillsides and
offer some magnificent vistas. You can get vantage views from Monkey
Point, 4 Km from the bus stand. The town takes its name from the village
of Kasol that has since merged with the fringes of the town. HPTDC hotel
is available here. Kasauli is 77 Km from Shimla and 35 Km from Kalka and
road bifurcate at Dharmpur on the highway.
Manjathal Sanctuary
This sanctuary has a very steep and rugged
terrain. Cheer Pheasant away from habitation. This can be visited by
travelling about 10 Kms on a kacha road Kararaghat (Shimla-Bilaspur-
Highway) to Kashlog and then walking on foot from Kashlog. This
sanctuary has the highest concentration of Goral which can be seen in
its natural habitat. This sanctuary is reported to have the maximum
population of endangered Cheer pheasant. One has to stay in tents in the
forest; Best season to visit is the winters.
Chail Sanctuary
Chail is a hill station visited by many tourists.
The Deodar Barking Deer and Oak forests with grasslands around the
township are the abode of wildlife. One can see Sambar, Goral and Cheer
Pheasants at Blossom and Jhaja. Visitors are welcome to the Cheer
pheasant breeding centre at both these places. Barking deer and Kalijin
in the forests are sure to meet and greet the visitors at dusk and dawn.
Trekking from Chail to Gaura and Chail to Jhaja is common and rewarding
as one is sure to see wildlife and beautiful snowy peaks. Range Officer
Wildlife Chail and his staff welcome the visitors and assist the
wildlife lovers to see wildlife in the sanctuary area.
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Kasauli |
Manjathal Sanctuary |
Chail
Sanctuary |
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