Solan is the district headquarters of Solan district (created on 1 September 1972) in the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. The largest Municipal Council of Himachal Pradesh, it is located 46 kilometres (29 mi) south of the state capital, Shimla. At an average elevation of 1,600 metres (5,200 ft). The place is named after the Hindu goddess Shoolini devi. Every year in the month of June, a fair celebrating the goddess is held, featuring a 3-day mela at the central Thoudo grounds. Solan was the capital of the erstwhile princely state, Bhagat.
It is known as the "Mushroom city of India" because of the vast mushroom farming in the area as well as the Directorate of Mushroom Research (DMR) situated at Chambaghat. Solan is crowned as the "City of Red Gold", in reference to the bulk production of tomatoes in the area. The town is situated between Chandigarh and Shimla, on the Kalka-Shimla National Highway-22. The Kalka-Shimla narrow gauge heritage railway line, built by the British passes through Solan.
Heritage
Solan can be called a British town as primarily a cantonment was built here in the late 19th century by the British.[5] Solan cantonment is still the best and the most well planned part of this area hence Buildings are made in a planned manner. Building blocks also facing the south to achieve maximum sun. The church inside Solan cantonment is a heritage building with beautiful wooden and stone carvings, it has elegant sloping roofs plus arches reminiscent of the British architecture.
The list of heritage buildings in solan town is as below :-
Shoolini devi temple
The Church in Solan cantonment.
The Solan railway station, one of the Highest railway stations in the world.[6]
The Barog railway station.
Hari Mandir a famous Lord Krishna temple.
The railway station and the railway rest house at Salogra.
The DC residence on Shilly road.
Anees villa, ancestral home of Salman Rushdie Shilly road near DC residence.[7][8]
S.E., PWD office which used to be a durbar hall of Baghat State.
Old guest house in the palace of Baghat state.
Khalifa lodge (now the JBT college running in it).
Nanak villa on tank road.
colonel Chopra's building near Thodo ground.
Kishan Niwas and Hill View on circular road.[8]
St. Luke's Sen Sec School, Solan the school built in hill architecture.
Jatoli Temple (5 km. far from Solan on Rajgarh Road).
Transport
Solan is easily accessible by road as well as train. It is 68 kilometers from Chandigarh (2 hours journey by bus) and 48 kilometers from Shimla (1 hours journey by bus). There are a total of 44 railway tunnels up to Solan.
Accessibility
The National Highway No. 22 is a prominent road passing through Solan town. It is an important road from many points of view. Firstly it is a defence road connecting Delhi, Dehradun, Ambala and Chandigarh to the China Border. Next it is the life line of our State as all raw products, building materials, passengers, goods etc. come through this route only. Our own products go out via it. It is on account of its significance that there are today 2 bypasses within Solan Planning Area. These are :
Solan bypass linking Saproon and Chambaghat.
Barog bypass linking Saproon and Kumarhatti via Anji & Raboun. The Centre Government is also likely to undertake the 4-laning of this road. Surveys and studies have been completed in this regard.
Besides N.H.-22, we have many other important roads connecting Solan to its nearby areas, towns or settlements. These are: -
Solan - Rajgarh road.
Solan - Subathu - Arki Road.
Solan - Kandaghat road via Basal and Salumana.
Solan - Jaunaji road.
Solan - Damrog - Jatoli road.
Solan - Ashwani Khad road. It will ultimately connect Solan to Herth as well as Chail.
