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A
well-laid out picturesque town of Nahan is situated on an isolated
ridge in the Shiwalik hills, overlooking green fields. Known for its
cleanliness and dust free streets, saints and princes are linked
with the origin of Nahan. The city was founded as a capital by Raja
Karan Prakash in 1621. Another version recalls a saint who lived
with a companionable Nahar on the site where the Nahan palace now
stands. "Nahar" means a lion and probably the town takes
its name from this saint.
At
an altitude of 9,32m, Nahan is a good base for visits to the
surrounding pilgrim areas viz. Renuka,
Paonta Sahib, Trilokpur temple and
the Suketi Fossil Park. It has a
pleasant climate throughout the year and is watered by man made lake
and decorated with temples and gardens. It is also the headquarter
of Sirmaur district.
PRIME ATTRACTIONS
Nahan Town: The
gentle level walks of Villa Round, Military Round and Hospital Round
are evocative of the city's past. The hub of Nahan's activities is
Chaugan, Bikram Bagh and Khadar-Ka-Bagh. Gift shops, Rosin &
Turpine factory and local temples are among the other major
attractions. In the heart of Nahan town is Rani Tal, where a large
temple and a tank from the days of ex-rulers of Sirmaur state can be
seen. Ducks and cranes are seen playing in the Ranital Tank, and
Ranital Garden further adds to the charm.
Suketi Fossil Park: Suketi
Fossil Park displays life size fiberglass models of pre-historic
animals whose fossil, skeletons were unearthed here. The park is
first of its kind in Asia to be developed at the actual site where
fossils were discovered. At a distance of 21-kms from Nahan, the
Suketi Fossil Park is located on the bank of Markanda river and is
approachable by a link road 4-kms from Kalka-Ambala highway from
Haryana. Located on upper and middle Shiwaliks, consisting mainly of
soft sandstone and clay rocks, the park at present has six sets of
life-size models of Stegodonganesa Sivatherium,
Hexaprotodon-Sivalensis, Colosschelys Atlas, Paramachaerdus and
Crocodilia, the animals which once thrived in the region.
Trilokpur Temple: Raja
Dip Prakash built it in 1573 and is situated at a distance of 23-kms
from Nahan and 6-kms from Kalka-Ambala highway, the gateway to Nahan
from Haryana. Trilokpur is a place
of great religious importance. The temple of the goddess Mahamaya
Bala Sundri is very famous and attracts lakhs of pilgrims from all
over northern India, especially from Haryana
and Himachal.
A fair is held twice an year during the Navratras in April and
October when a large number of devotees visit this temple and pay
their respects to the goddess.
Dhaula
Kuan:
On
the road to Paonta Sahib 20-kms
from Nahan, it is worth while to stop and see a sprawling orchard
consisting of citrus plants and mangoes and a fruit canning factory
of various kinds of juices, jams, pickles and canned fruits. A
little away from Dhaula Kuan is Kastasan Devi temple where Raja
Jagat Singh defeated the advancing army of Rulam Quadir Rohilla in a
great battle. Their victory is commemorated in the Devi Temple,
built in gratitude by the Raja. Dhaula Kuan also has a research
station of H.P., KVV where useful research on tropical fruits is
carried out.
Giri Nagar: Situated
at a distance of 7-kms from Dhaula Kuan, this town has a power house
of 60 M.W. capacity, constructed after diverting the Giri river
through a 6-kms long tunnel.
HOW TO GET THERE
Air: Nearest
airport is Chandigarh, with Delhi
as an alternative.
Rail: The
nearest railway stations are Ambala, Chandigarh
and Kalka, which are connected by a regular bus service.
Road: Nahan
is approachable from many directions by road: via Dehra
Dun through Paonta Sahib;
via Kalka-Ambala from Haryana and
via Solan from Shimla. There are
regular bus services linking it to the other towns like
Manali,
Delhi and Haridwar.
WHERE TO STAY
Hotel
Yamuna
Sirmaur Mahal Guest House
Black Mango
Keshav Guest House
FAIRS & FESTIVALS
Nahan
celebrates Bawan Dwadshi towards the end of the monsoon, when
fifty-two idols of local gods are carried in procession to Jagannath
temple, where they are floated ceremoniously in a pool and are
restored at midnight to their niches.
BALA SUNDARI FAIR
The
Bala Sundari fair is held at Trilokpur near Nahan, this coincides
with the sacred days of the Navratras.
SHRAVAN SANKRANTI
Shravan
Sankranti is celebrated at Nahan, in the month of July, at Arki.
Buffalo fights mark the Sair Fair that is cunducted in the honour of
Banar devta of Shari. The Rampur Jatar is held near Jubbal in
district Shimla.
NEARBY
CITIES
Paonta Sahib: 42-km
Suketi: 21-km
Trilokpur: 23-km
Dhaula Kuan: 20-km
Giri Nagar: 27-km
Reruka: 45-km
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