Kasauli, Solan :

Kasauli is a little small cantonment town in Solan district in Himachal Pradesh. The town is the home of the Kasauli Brewery, which is the highest brewery and distillery in the world. The cantonment was established in 1842 by the British colonial rulers as a hill station, it still retains the old world charms and is a throwback to the past. Kasauli is a quaint little town that seems to exist in a time wrap of an era that reminds one 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. Mixed forests of chir-pine, Himalayan oak and huge horse chestnuts surround Kasauli. Its narrow road slither up and down the hillsides and offer some magnificent vistas. 

 Its proximity to plains, 35 km away from Kalka, makes it more in demand of tourists who flock in here when there blazes the sun. Dainty English style cottages, oldy goldy shops, forests of pine and horse chestnut, magnificent view of the Gangetic plains which turns into a spread of twinkling lights under the cover of darkness, refreshing mountain breeze and much more is there at a height of 1927m of Kasauli. A vantage spot for views is Monkey Point. Dominating Choor Chandni (3647m) standing majestically above all the lower hills leaves an imprint.

On a side road off the main highway that connects Kalka to Shimla, the little town of Kasauli lies curled along the heights of the first major row of hills and the cable cars from the highway that reach up to Kasauli are a major attraction. The town takes its name from the village of kasul that has since merged with the fringes of the town. Kasauli itself seems to live in delightful time warp that has belongs to a century now gone. Its narrow roads wander up and down the hillside and offer some of the finest views of the area. Standing majestically above all the lower hills in the peak of Choor Chandni (Choor Dhar). One vantage position for the views is Manki Point or Monkey Point, which has a temple dedicated to Hanuman Ji. Legend has it that Kasauli came into being when Lord Hanuman, on his way to getting the Sanjeevani herb, stepped here for jumping on to the Sanjeevani hill. At Kasauli there is a Hanuman Mandir atop the 300 m high hillock, called Manki Point, where Lord Hanuman is supposed to have rested his foot. This temple lies within the confines of an air force radar station and base and is subject to security restrictions (no cameras or bags allowed). The gates to the station are closed at 4pm. So visitors need to be inside the gate before that. On a clear day, one can get views of nearby cities like Chandigarh. One can reach this point by road or on foot. On foot, it takes nearly an hour and a half from Kasauli town. Brisk walking may take just 35 minutes.

The Bazaar as it slithers down the hill has all the touches of quaintness that one would expect from a place like this. Its cobblestones start with what is called the Main Bazaar and its little shops hold grocery stores, eating places and souvenir shops – the last include ones that sell driftwood pieces and metal knick-knacks. This roads leads on to the Sadar Bazaar, and on to the now largely defunct Arth Bazaar – which once conducted a vigorous wholesale trade. At the very start of the Bazaar is a track which leads to kalka and formed the original road connecting the town to the plains. Thiis still makes an interesting hike and was once part of the horse, pedestrian and 'dooly' and 'dandy' track to Shimla.

The Upper and Lower Malls are lined with the town’s old residences – the lower one also has hotels and banks. And as the roads climb, the foliage also alters. The lower section holds trees of chir pine, Himalayan Oak and robust horse-chestnuts and higher up the hill, comes the majesty of the cedars. The town’s colonial ambience is reinforced by gabled houses with charming facades and neat little gardens with beds of geraniums and hydrangea. The picture is completed by slim paths slide past the orchards of plum and apricot.

Sanawar with a famous public school, Garkhal with Shirdi Sai temple, Sabathuwith a 19th century Gorkha fort, Dagshai with a cantonment are other places worth visiting when in Kasauli. Simply soak in the beauty of this hilly paradise. 

Places of Interest around Kasauli  :

Monkey Point : The highest point in Kasauli called Monkey point is just 4-km from the Kasauli bus stand. The Monkey Point commands an excellent view of the distant plains of Chandigarh region and the river Satluj, tracing a silvery trail through the scene. A small temple is also situated on the top of the hill, which is dedicated to Lord Hanuman. According to a legend, at the end of Ramayana when Lord Hanuman was returning from the Himalayas after obtaining Sanjivany Booty or the Magical Herb, his foot touched the hill and thus the top of hill is in a foot shape. On a clear and starry night the gorgeous view of Chandigarh can be seen from the Monkey Point.

Dharampur : Just 15-km from Kasauli on the National Highway No.22, Dharampur is situated. Amidst the healthy air of the fragrant pines, Dharampur has one of the best hospitals in India for the cure of tuberculosis. It is also connected by Kalka-Shimla railway line.

Sabathu : A little cantonment town has a Gurkha fort built in the early years of the 19th century, situated at an altitude of 1,437m. This cantonment town quartered the British soldiers at the time of British Empire. A diversion road from Dharampur 15-km away leads to the Sabathu town.

Dagshai : Another little cantonment at an altitude of 1,925m just 19-km from Kasauli, it is accessible by a link road, which diverts from Dhrampur. Dagshai is perched on a small hill and comprises of a military public school and numerous military barracks.

Sanawar : Just 6-km from Kasauli, Sanawar houses one of the best schools in the country. The Lawrence school is almost one hundred-years-old and a major attraction of the town. This 100-year old Lawrence School was built by Sir Henry Lawrence.

The Christ Church : Still unspoiled and very much as the British left it fifty years ago, Kasauli has a fine old church. The Christ Church, is a typically Anglican structure of the period and its foundation stone laid in 1844.

Karol Tibba : This place has historic value as pandavas lived here during their agyatvas period 2 hours trek from the resort takes you to this wonderful place and ideal visit for nature lovers.