Last updated December 14, 2003

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Known as the "Mushroom city of India" because of the Mushroom centre situated there at Cambaghat. Solan is better known for Mohan Meakin's brewery (reputed to be the World's oldest brewery) and the famous Solan No. 1 whisky

<Akhilesh Sharma recently informed me that visitors who clicked the old link to the Mushroom centre was redirected to a porn site. I apologise for that. I have updated the links. Thanks again Akhilesh>

How To Get There

Many people pass� this beautiful place on the way to Shimla or to Kullu and Manali. Its a pity - even though it not as famous, Solan has many hidden charms.

Click to see the Map of Solan

Solan is easily accessible by road as well as train. It is 68 Km from Chandigarh (2 hours journey by Bus). You can also get a taxi from there or you can take the train. However, be warned that you have to change to another train at Kalka (44 Km away) as the narrow guage tracks starts from there. The train is quite slow but you can get to see some beautiful scenery along the way.

I spent nearly seven years studying in Dr. Yashwant Singh Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry (quite a mouthful isn't it) at Nauni (about 12 KM from the town centre). It is named after the first Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh.

Birds Eye View of Khaltu Univ.

Known as Khaltu to us, it is the first of its kind in Asia and second in the World with an exclusive mandate of education, research and extension in� Horticulture and Forestry. 

One of our favorite pastimes then, was to go to Solan by bus - a 45 minutes journey, singing all the way (I don't know if the students still do that). Once there, we would walk up and down the Mall and the "Gali Gali" of Solan. After we got tired we would go to Himalayan Coffee House for a cup of tea.�

When we had more money (which was not often), we would go to Himani Resort's restaurant which served really good food and the best choice of drinks in Solan (Ah! student life). 

If we missed the last bus, we would either stay with a friend who stayed in a rented house in Solan or walk all the way back.� This was an adventure considering that it was at night, there were no street lights and we had to pass thick forests with no habitation in sight for miles.

The memories would always remain in my heart. Khaltu became a home away from home and for us who came directly from school, like myself, became adults there!!!!�
During the course of my studies, I traveled all over the state. You can see some of my Field Training pictures in� 'My Himachal Photos.'������

Places of Interest  

Besides Khaltu University, some other places of interest in�Solan include the Shoolini Mata temple ( for your information,�Solan is named after the Godess Shoolini), the Jatoli Shiv temple, the three centuries old Gorkha Fort overlooking the University at Nauni and the Young Drung Tibetian Monastery, also near Nauni. 

In case you are surprised about the Gorkha fort, it turns out that hundreds of years ago, this area was under the Gorkha rulers of Nepal. 

Nearly there to the Gorkha Fort (Top right) 
Would you believe it - I am on the edge of a cliff in the picture

The Shoolini Mela (Fair) is a big�annual event with people coming here from all over the district and other places.�You can also go fishing at Gowda or swimming at Giripul, a few Km's away from the Univ. 

Swimming in Giripul

Check out my Himachal Links

Contact me if you have a nice Himachal Site, and want me to link to you

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