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77-km
from Shimla
and 35-km from Kalka, at 1,927m, 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.
Kasauli
is one of the small towns developed by the British during the 'hey
day' of the empire, and reached by a branch road from the Kalka-Shimla
road. The quite beautiful hill-station of Kasauli has a Pastur
Institute that produces the anti-rabies vaccine against mad dog-bite
and, at the same time, treats victims who have fallen prey to the
dead disease, Hydrophobia. The institute in Kasauli set up in 1900,
is the oldest in India, taking care of pet, police and army dogs as
well as their masters.
Side
by side another institute produces other vaccines, this is the
Central Research Institute affording immunity from Typhoid,
small-pox, cholera and snake-bite. The Shimla Hills stand on water -
parting between the Sutlej and the Giri, a tributary of the Yamuna.
South
of Shimla is the Panchmunda ridge,
which is crossed by a railway through a tunnel, the longest in the
Kalka-Shimla run at Barog, where a
series of fissure to springs occur at its flank. The first ridge
above Kalka rises abruptly to pine-clad Kasauli at a height of
1,927m and is joined by a 12-km bridle path. The distance by road,
however, from Kalka is 36.5-km.
PRIME ATTRACTIONS
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.
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.
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.
HOW TO GET THERE
Air: From
Kasauli the nearest airport is Chandigarh.
Shimla is nearest airport for Solan.
Rail: Nearest
railhead is Kalka in Haryana, which is 40-km from Kasauli and 44-km
from Solan. Solan is also connected with narrow gauge railway line
from Kalka.
Road: Solan
and Kasauli are well connected by road buses, coaches and taxis are
also easily available from Chandigarh and Delhi.
WHERE TO STAY
Hotel
Ros Common.
CLIMATE
In
winter, temperature can lower just above freezing point when heavy
woollens are required. During summer, the climate is mild and light
woolens or cottons are recommended.
NEARBY CITIES
Sanawar: 6-km
Dharampur: 15-km
Sabathu: 30-km
Dagshai: 19-km
Kalka: 35-km
Solan: 44-km
Chandigarh: 61-km
Shimla: 77-km
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