Solan Travel Essentials

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"Mushroom Capital of India"

Solan Tourism

Located on the Punjab-Himachal Border, Solan is an industrial town that lies on the lower ranges of the Himalayas. Solan is a more low-key hill station ideal for travellers looking just some time away from the city rush. The town has ancient temples and monasteries that attract hundreds of tourists and devotees every year. Solan also has one of the oldest breweries in the country and is popularly known as the mushroom capital of the country, owing to the amount of mushrooms produced every year.

Solan is also called the city of red gold as it produces bulk quantities of tomatoes. This city also has a 300-year old fort located at the top of a hill in ruins but has an awe-inspiring panoramic view of the countryside. Apart from the sceneries, Solan has several attractions like Nalagarh Fort and Majathal Sanctuary. The Shoolini Mata Temple and Jatoli Shiv Temple are must-visits for both devotees and tourists.

One of the most famous monasteries in this region is the Menri Monastery, which must be visited by everyone travelling to Solan. A cantonment settlement during the British time, Dagshai in Solan has a Jail Museum and some excellent secluded properties to stay.

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Shoolini Fair of Solan

The town of Solan is named after Goddess Shoolini, who is considered the youngest sister of Goddess Durga. The Annual festival is celebrated in the last week of June. Legend has it that Goddess Shoolini pays a visit to her elder sister Goddess Durga at the Mata Durga Temple situated in Ganj Bazaar of Solan.

Hundreds of people dressed in colourful attire, flock to pay their obeisance at the Shoolini temple and then participate in the auspicious Shobha Yatra. The procession passes through all the parts of Solan in a very extravagant manner. The three-day festival ends with the Goddess Shoolni coming back to her abode. The last day is celebrated with even superior pomp and show.

Restaurants and Local Food in Solan

Solan has a lot of options for food, especially for those who want to explore and relish the local cuisines of Himachal. While a staple meal here consists of Dal, Rice, Roti, Vegetables and Curd, the area does have a number of traditional delicacies to savor. These include Poode, Lushke (A local version of pancake), Sidu( a kind of bread), Pachole and more.
Other than these, Solan being a popular tourist destination has a lot of good cafes and restaurants which offer decent food at reasonable prices. This region is famous for roasted corn and seasonal fruits and vegetables. Also relish the mouth-watering street food here. Solan Channa, Samosas, Jalebis are just some of the items that one should not miss here.
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Suggested Itinerary for Solan

Day 1: Reach Solan in the morning. Have breakfast and head straight to the Shoolini Mata Temple. Since the town is named after Goddess Shoolini, the temple becomes a must visit. Next, move to the Kothar Fort, which is the oldest historical monument in the region.

Day 2: Start early and visit the Menri Monastery, which is the most colourful place in the town. Keep a visit to the Solan brewery in your schedule post lunch. Since it is located very close to the railway station, it can be visited in the end. Check out and head back to your city.

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How to Reach Solan

How to Reach Overview

The nearest airport is in Shimla, which is almost an hour away. From the airport, you can hire a cab. You can also travel by roadway buses, easily available from Delhi, Chandigarh, and Shimla. A train journey can also be undertaken. The nearest railhead is in Kalka, almost 40 km away. However, the town has it's own railway station also.

How to reach Solan by flight

There is no airport in Solan. The nearest airport is in the Himachal Pradesh capital, Shimla, almost 45 km away. Cabs and taxis are easily available from Shimla airport to Solan.

How to reach Solan by road

Solan is very well connected to cities like Delhi and Chandigarh by roadway buses. Alternatively, you can drive down to Solan, which makes for a breathtakingly beautiful journey.

How to reach Solan by train

The nearest railway station is in Kalka, almost 40 km away from Solan. Solan also has it's own train station also. Trains like Himalayan Queen, make the city well connected to Delhi.

Local transport in Solan

You can easily avail HRTC buses in Solan.

Solan Photos

Solan, Himachal Pradesh
Nalagarh Palace
shimla - kalka
students

+ 48
photos

FAQs on Solan

What is famous about Solan?

Solan makes for a beautiful offbeat hill station. Experience the exquisite mushroom farming in the 'Mushroom Capital of India'. Also known for the bulk production of tomatoes.

What is not so good about Solan?

Long traffic jams on the narrow streets due to over-commercialization. The city remains congested. Not much to explore.

Who should visit Solan?

Solan is an excellent destination for family vacations. It has a rich cultural heritage with a myriad of festivals being celebrated. Also perfect for people looking for a less crowded place in the vicinity of Shimla. 

What is the best time to visit Solan?

The best time to visit Solan is in Summers from March to July. Sightseeing and outdoor activities can be enjoyed, and summer is the best time to experience Solan's scenic beauty. Monsoons in Solan doesn't bring heavy rainfalls; however, there are occasional storms. July to September is also an ideal time to visit Solan. Winters are chilly and therefore not favourable among tourists as fog can hamper your travel plans. Overall, the months from March to September are ideal to visit Solan.
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What is the local food in Solan?

Solan has a lot of options for food, especially for those who want to explore and relish the local cuisines of Himachal. While a staple meal here consists of Dal, Rice, Roti, Vegetables and Curd, the area does have a number of traditional delicacies to savor. These include Poode, Lushke (A local version of pancake), Sidu( a kind of bread), Pachole and more.
Other than these, Solan being a popular tourist destination has a lot of good cafes and restaurants which offer decent food at reasonable prices. This region is famous for roasted corn and seasonal fruits and vegetables. Also relish the mouth-watering street food here. Solan Channa, Samosas, Jalebis are just some of the items that one should not miss here.
Read More

What is the best way to reach Solan?

The nearest airport is in Shimla, which is almost an hour away. From the airport, you can hire a cab. You can also travel by roadway buses, easily available from Delhi, Chandigarh, and Shimla. A train journey can also be undertaken. The nearest railhead is in Kalka, almost 40 km away. However, the town has it's own railway station also.

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What are the things to do in Solan?

The top things to do in Solan are Kasauli, Nalagarh Palace, Shoolini Mata Temple, Chail, Kuthar Fort, Solan Brewery. You can see all the places to visit in Solan here

What are the places near Solan?

The top places near to Solan are Shimla which is 23 km from Solan, Kasauli which is located 12 km from Solan, Chandigarh which is located 35 km from Solan, Manali which is located 148 km from Solan, Chail which is located 12 km from Solan

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Solan Reviews

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Nitin Aggarwal

on Kasauli 5 years ago
Simple place. ..not wanna to go especially....parwanoo is his n money top temple is so so...by from kalka around 30 km ...where the toy train departure for Simla is best
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