Kasauli in Himachal Pradesh

Kasauli in Himachal Pradesh

Quick Facts:

Country: India

State: Himachal Pradesh

District: Solan 

Elevation: 1,800 m

Best time to visit: April to June and October to February ( if you want to enjoy winters). 

Tourism: Baptist Church, Monkey point, the lower and upper mall, Gilbert trail, Toy train ride, Nahri temple, Christ Church and many more.


Here are some quick links within the page

How to Reach

Best Time to Visit

Places of Interest

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Kasauli is one of the most scenic hill stations in Himachal Pradesh, India. It is located at an elevation of 1,800 m. Nestled in the Dhauladhar range of Himalayas, Kasauli is a cantonment in Solan District. The Cantonment was established by the British in 1842 to provide a base for the troops to guard the road between the plains and the hilly terrain.  The town served as a summer retreat for the British.

Kasauli in Himachal Pradesh

It is an ideal place to spend some quality time with nature being surrounded by snow clad mountains and lush greenery all around. The major tourist attraction in Kasauli is the Victorian buildings built during the British period. Another important monument is the Christ Church which was built by the British in 1853. Apart from many historical places to visit, Kasauli is famous for Hiking and bird watching.


How to Reach

Kasauli being the Cantonment is easily accessible by air, rail and road. 

By air: The nearest airport is Chandigarh which is around 70 km away. Chandigarh airport is well connected with major cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Bangalore and others. One can also reach Shimla airport which is around 35 km from Kasauli. 

By road: Kasauli is well connected through road. Both private and state government buses run from major cities across North India. One can even drive down from Delhi and Chandigarh. 

By rail: Kalka railway station is the nearest railway station which is around 40 km from Kasauli. From the railway station one can take a cab or taxi to reach the desired destination. 


Climate/ Seasons

Kasauli enjoys moderate climate with winters being very cold during peak months.

Summer season: March to June is the summer season. The maximum temperature hovers around 28 degrees Celsius. Summers are mild and pleasant. Kasauli Blue festival and Kasauli Rhythm festival are held in summer months.

Monsoon season: July to September is the monsoon season. The place receives moderate rainfall. The weather remains pleasant and one can enjoy the greenery all around.

Winter season: November to February are the winter months. During peak winter season the minimum temperature may hover around sub zero degree Celsius.  Snowfall occurs in the months of December and January. One needs to carry heavy woollen if you are planning to visit during winters.



Best time to visit.

Best time to visit: 

Kasauli can be visited throughout the year. But the best time is during summer months of March to June and winter months of November to February. 


Tourism in Kasauli in Himachal Pradesh

Kasauli is a very popular hill station in Himachal Pradesh. It is famous for its natural surroundings and colonial architecture. The place has many tourist destinations. Monkey Point is the highest point in Kasauli and offers a panoramic view of the surrounding hills and valleys. It is believed that Lord Hanuman set his foot here while returning from the Himalayas. It is the highest point in Kasauli.

 One can get to see the spectacular view of the snow capped mountains and the Sutlej River. Another popular tourist destination is the Christ Church built in the colonial era. The church has stained glass windows and a peaceful atmosphere. The Gilbert Trail is a beautiful walking trail that leads through pine forests and offers stunning views of the surrounding hills. The trail is named after the famous British naturalist Henry Haversham Godwin-Austen. There are many more places to see

Christ Church in Kasauli

Christ Church:

 Earlier known as the Anglican Church, this  was built in 1853 in Gothic style architecture. It is open from 7 am to 7 pm on all days. It is the oldest church in Himachal Pradesh. The church is dedicated to St Francis and St. Barnabas. In 1880 the church tower was raised and a public clock was placed during the Burnesson period.

 The clock is still in the working condition  with mechanical gears. Divine services of the church were started in July 1853 by Chaplin Thomas John Edward Steel.


Christ Church is one of the most prominent landmarks in Kasauli and is easily accessible from all parts of the town. The gray building of the church is beautifully designed with mirror work. The clock tower with sundial at the top, beautiful stained glass, intricate woodwork and high spire lead us inside the church in which Jesus Christ is bound by Joseph and Mary.

Today, the church continues to serve as an important place of worship for the local Christian community and is also a popular tourist attraction. Visitors can attend the Sunday mass and admire the beautiful architecture of the church. The church also has a cemetery where some of the earliest British residents of Kasauli are buried.


Monkey Point:

Monkey Point is another popular tourist attraction in Kasauli. The place offers a beautiful view of the surrounding hills and valleys. It is situated in the Air Force Station near the Lower Mall region about 4 km from the center of the town. It is believed that Lord Hanuman was returning from the Himalayas after taking Sanjivani Parvatha when one of his feet touched the hill.

One of the main attractions of Monkey Point is a temple dedicated to Lord Hanuman, which is located at the top of the hill.  Apart from the temple, visitors can also enjoy a short trek to the top of the hill, which offers breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape. Another interesting aspect of Monkey Point is the presence of a large number of monkeys in the area.


Gilbert Trail in Kasauli

Gilbert Trail:

Gilbert Trail is a popular hiking trail in Kasauli. The trail is named after Colonel James Gilbert, a British Army officer who served in India during the colonial era.

The trail starts from the Christ Church in Kasauli and leads up to the Gilbert Nature Trail, which is a dense forested area that offers stunning views of the surrounding hills and valleys. The trail is approximately 1.5 km long and takes about an hour to complete.

The Gilbert Trail is known for its natural beauty and is a popular spot for nature lovers and hikers. The trail is surrounded by lush green forests and offers glimpses of various species of birds and wildlife, including monkeys, deer, and barking deer. The trail is also dotted with benches where hikers can rest and enjoy the peaceful surroundings.

One of the highlights of the Gilbert Trail is the Sunset Point, which offers breathtaking views of the sunset over the hills. 


Nahri temple in Kasauli

Nahari temple:

The Nahari temple is a popular Hindu temple dedicated to Goddess Durga and Lord Shiva. It is a very old temple probably constructed 150 years ago. The temple is located in Nahri village which is about 6 km from Kasauli town and is  also known as Jantar Mantar and Choo Mantar.  The temple has undergone several renovations and restorations over the years and continues to be an important place of worship for the local community.

One of the highlights of the Nahri Temple is the annual Shivratri festival, which is celebrated with great enthusiasm. Thousands of devotees from all over the region come to the temple to offer prayers and seek blessings from Lord Shiva.


Kasauli Brewery:

Kasauli Brewery is open from 7 am to 7pm. The brewery was established in the year 1820 by Edward Dyer, who was an officer in the British Army. Edward Dyer selected the location of his brewer due to the fine Springwater available there and because the climate at this altitude was similar to the climate of Scotland. His intention was to produce a malt whiskey as fine as Scotch whiskey. 

One more reason for this location was that there was a ready market of British troops and civilians in Shimla and other Punjab provinces.  As the tourism started increasing more people started using spring water and this led to water scarcity at that time brewery was shifted to Solan Valley.  The Lion Beer and the Solan No 1 are still in production. Solan No 1 is India’s first single malt whiskey. However the sale of both the brands decreased due to the stiff competition. 

Mohan Meakin which is the largest group of companies was incorporated in 1855 by Edward Dyer has several liquor brands. Some of them are Old Monk rum, Whiskies include Solan No !, Diplomat Deluxe, Colonel’s Special, Black Knight and Summer Halls, gins such as London Dry and Kaplanski vodka. The brewery is open from 7 am to 7 pm on all days.

Kasauli club

Kasauli Club:

It is a prestigious club established by civilians and service personnel in 1880. It got its present name in 1898. The club is located in a picturesque setting and offers stunning views of the surrounding hills and valleys. It features a range of facilities including a bar, restaurant, billiards room, library, tennis court, and a swimming pool. The club also hosts various social events and activities throughout the year, including dances, picnics, and cultural performances.

During the British period, the club was used exclusively for social meetings, tea and dinner dances and parties. The club was originally built in wood and plaster in colonial architecture. But during the restoration work in 2005 it was redesigned and rebuilt in stone.


The club hosts “Kasauli Night” which is held in the last week of June every year. Various programmes like dance, fashion show, music and gaiety and events are held during this period. During this period “ The Kasauli Queen” is the main event which draws a huge crowd. The club has played an important role in the social and cultural life of the British community in Kasauli and continues to be an important part of the town's cultural heritage.

Today, the club is open to members and guests who wish to enjoy its facilities and participate in its social events. Visitors can also explore the club's history and heritage by admiring its architecture and artifacts.


The Lower and the Upper Mall:

This is an important place for indulging in some shopping. Both the roads of upper and Lower Malls have many shops and Kasauli Club. The Upper Mall offers a spectacular walk of around 3 km which is surrounded with historical buildings, scenic views,  hills, valleys and greenery all around. One can also enjoy the sunset point here. ALong with shopping visitors can enjoy chirping of birds , pine and oak trees and then visit Gilbert Trail.

Some of the eateries are available in the lower Mall and some shops selling Tibetan products and other handicraft items. 

Kasauli is a very important hill station in Himachal pradesh. One can enjoy some of the best authentic food here like 

Babrus which is prepared by stuffing a paste of black gram. Another traditional food is  Sidu which  is a traditional bread made with wheat flour and yeast, which is steamed and then served with ghee. It is a popular food item in the Himachal region and is a must-try when in Kasauli. One should not forget to eat momos which is another popular Tibetan dish that you can find in Kasauli. These are steamed or fried dumplings stuffed with vegetables, chicken, or mutton, and are usually served with a spicy tomato-based sauce.

Apart from these, you can also try local Himachali dishes such as Dhaam, Kullu Trout, and Kangri Dham, which are popular in the region.

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