Kasauli - Captivating Hill Retreat of Himachal Pradesh
Kasauli is a town in the Solan district of Himachal Pradesh and a popular hill station. It is situated around 77 km from Shimla and has an elevation of 1,800 meters above sea level. The closest airport is in Shimla and is a drive of around 35 km from this town. Developed by the British, this scenic town is visited by tourists mostly between November-February.
Hiking is a prominent activity for tourists here and the main trail is to the Monkey Point and Hanuman Point. Serenity and picturesque landscape impress the honeymoon couples. The rise in number of hotels, resorts, tourist bungalows and cottages is also another reason why honeymoon couples and international tourists throng here. Indian Holiday offers information on various places to visit in Kasauli.
Places to See in Kasauli
The popular places of interest in and around Kasauli town are:
Gurudwara Shri Guru Nanakji - Situated in the Gharkhal market on the Kasauli main road, this Sikh gurudwara is dedicated to Guru Nanak. Daily prayers are held here in the morning and Sunday has a special program. This gurudwara offers accommodation facility for pilgrims.
Christ Church - Located minutes from the bus stand of Kasauli, the Christ Church was constructed in the 19th century and reflects the English architecture. Earlier an Anglican church, Christ Church is now under the Church of North India. Fir trees surrounding this British era structure offer stunning views of the place. It is one of the oldest houses of Christian worship in the state.
Monkey Point - The highest point of this hill town, Monkey Point has a legendary story. Lord Hanuman is said to have placed his feet here while looking for Sanjeevani herbs. There is a temple at the hill top. Monkey Point is also popular for being a prominent hiking trail and you will get clear views of the nearby Dhauladhar ranges.
Gilbert Trail and sunset point - The sunset point and Gilbert Hill are two popular places of visit for honeymoon couples who throng here during the evenings. The view from Gilbert top is beautiful while the sunset point allows you to capture stunning images of sunset.
Kasauli Club - British established the Kasauli Club in the year 1880 and it served as a summer retreat for the officers. Situated within the premises of the Indian Army, it is one of the prestigious social institutions in the country. A functioning club still, an army officer is elected as its secretary. Reflecting typical hill architecture, this club has accommodation facility for its members, a squash court, two tennis courts, one billiard room and a well maintained garden.
Chapel of Lawrence School - Located in Sanawar, Lawrence School was founded in 1847 by Sir Henry Montgomery Lawrence. The campus is spread across 139 acres and is a distance of 3 km from the heart of Kasauli town. The chapel here is surrounded by green lawns and is open to public.
Excursions from Kasauli
Other sites of tourist interest close to Kasauli include:
Dharampur - A drive of 15 km from the town, Dharampur is located on National Highway 22. Dharampur is a serene place is well connected via Kalka-Shimla railway.
Sanawar - It is at a distance of 66 km Kasauli and located at an elevation of 1750 meters above sea level. The Lawrence School is one of the major attractions here. The school campus is a lovely place to unwind being surrounded by deodar, fir and pine trees.
Dagshai - Another popular summer retreat for the British families, Dagshai is a drive of 19 km from the hill town of Kasauli. This enchanting place is now a retreat for vacationers and honeymoon couples who prefer a secluded holiday amidst the deodar canopies.
Subathu - The 19th century built Gurkha Fort is the prime attraction of Subathu. There are also several other colonial era structures and buildings of tourist interest here. This cantonment town is close to Dharampur.
Jagjit Nagar - The dense deodar forests and great accessibility from Chandigarh makes Jagjit Nagar a popular place of visit. Offering unobstructed views of the Dhauladhar and Himalayan ranges, this place is home to a number of hotels and resorts that draw even the celebrities for a vacation.
