Himachal Pradesh

ARKI, a tiny town in Solan district, can well be described as neat, clean and tranquil. If its unapproachable caves and cave-temples inspire awe and its floral bounty makes one ecstatic, its palace commands attention for the sheer beauty of its simple architecture. It has been a witness to history. Arki was once the capital of Baghal kingdom and the town itself suggests that it has been well looked after by its various rulers. Approachable by road from both Solan and Shimla, Arki-nestles in the lap of the middle-ranges of the Himalayas. The rocky mountains, with deep valleys and scanty vegetation, that surround it, can be a mystery for geologists. Caves abound in the area and so do cave-temples. Looking up at the inhospitable crags, one wonders how man and material reached the top for the construction work.

One of the famous temples is the Lutru Mahadev, situated high up on the mountain. Devotees, not only from Himachal Pradesh but also from Punjab and Haryana, frequent it. The climb is steep, but spiritual fervour makes you unmindful of the difficult terrain. Lutru Mahadev cave can be spotted from various angles as you travel in and around the town. Interestingly, a Durga temple midway between Batal Ghati and Arki, on the Kunihar-Solan road, is so situated that it is almost parallel to the Lutru temple. Nearby is Gangeshwar Mahadev temple which has a water spring. It is a perennial sources of water for Arki. The town is indeed lucky to have round-the-clock water supply, when most of the towns in the state are facing water scarcity.

If Lutru Mahadev has chosen to stay at that unapproachable height, Mutru Mahadev loves his cool, shaded cave in a thickly wooded valley just across the bazaar. The cave is small and has water constantly dripping in it. The rock-formations inside present the replica of the legendary abode of Shiva at Kailash. The place is serene and a walk downhill is worth the labour of climbing uphill. In the town one comes across several old temples, some are in a dilapidated condition, while a few are well maintained. On the hilltops around Arki there are still more temples dedicated to Goddess Durga and local devtas.

Kunihar

Kunihar is the Development block headquater of Kunihar Block. A beautiful place to live and watch.

Kuthar Fort

Its oldest sections are 800 years old while the most recent structures are barely eight decades old. This is spread over a large area and fresh-water springs flow within its confines.

Read More About Solan >>

Solan is situated midway between Kalka and Shimla. the fine climate of this place round the year makes it an ideal destination for all seasons. There is famous ‘Mohan Meakin’s Brewery’ in Solan, set up in 1855 A.D. The mountains near Solan offer interesting trekking possibilities and its streams are well stocked with a variety of game fish. Solan district is covered by catchment areas of three important rivers, namely Satluj, Yamuna and Ghagar.

Parwanoo

This is Himachal Pradesh’s premier Industrial township, located at the base of the Shivalik hills on the
Kalka-Shimla highway. Parwanoo has a large number of small and medium scale industries. This is also a gateway to Himachal Pradesh via Kalka touching the boundaries of Haryana.

Kasauli

77 km. from Kalka, at an altitude of 2,107 metres. Kasauli is a charming and quiet place for relaxation. It is a little town with dainty English Cottages set in gardens spilling with flowers, easy and beautiful paths and old fashioned shops. This town seems frozen in time.

Sabathu

There is an old Gurkha fort built in the early years of the 19th century.

Barog

It is a bautiful place, just 37 km. from Kalka and 5 km. from Solan. It was an important stop on the railway line in the early part of the century. The hill train halted for an hour here, while the travelers indulged in a lavish lunch. Today, this little town with refreshing air and fine views, is a little holiday destination in itself. It is well surrounded by Pine forests.

Chail

An ideal resort surrounded by scented Pine and Deodar forests. It was once the summer resort of the Maharaja of Patiala. It is located on a wooded spur and it overlooks the Satluj Valley. Shimla and Kasauli are also visible and at night the scene of twinkling lights of Shimla looks charming and seems like the part of the starlit sky.

Arki

It is the sub-division headquarter and is situated at 39 km. from Shimla and 7 km. from Shalaghat on Shimla-Bilaspur road. It was the capital of Parmar Dynasty in ancient time. The King’s palace is an example of the ancient art.

Nalagarh

It is 45 km. from Pinjore in Haryana and the half-way point on the road to Swarghar. Nalagarh was the capital of princey with the same.

District Of Solan