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Chail Travel
The former 'summer capital' of Patiala, Chail is 43-km from
Shimla and dwelling in the midst of a lush green setting. At
2,250m, it has the world's highest cricket pitch and a polo
ground, the old palace, now a hotel and the possibility of
some angling are added attractions.
Chail is hiker's paradise. The area is very peaceful away
from the hustle and bustle of Shimla. 3-kms from the hotel
is the worlds highest Cricket ground. Close by is a National
Park, which has limited number of birds and deers.
In 1891, Maharaja Bhupinder Singh of Patiala incurred the
wrath of Lord Kitchener, the then Commander-in-Chief. As a
result, he was banned entry into the summer capital of the
Raj, Shimla. This enraged the Maharaja and he vowed to build
a new and better summer capital for himself. He looked
around and after quite some time realized it had all the
while been in his possession. Chail, a little village close
to Shimla, was a 'slice of heaven' surrounded by lush
forests with a commanding view of the snow-capped Himalayas.
He rebuilt the city according to his requirements and built
himself a wonderful palace.
The picturesque resort located amidst scented forests of
chir pine and gigantic deodars. Chail is built on three
hills, the palace is on Rajgarh Hill, the Residency Snow
View once occupied by British resident is on Pandhewa Hill
and on the third hill Sadh Tiba where Chail is situated.
Overlooking Satluj Valley, Shimla and Kasauli are also
visible at night from here. Chail has also the highest
cricket ground in the world. Well kept and well maintained
the ground is surrounded by huge trees of deodar and pine.
On the other side of the town are situated the massive
Himalayan ranges spectacularly gleaming in the sun and
snow-covered every thing under it.
Prime Attractions of Chail
Chail Sanctuary
Chail is a hill station visited by many tourists. The Deodar
and Oak forests with grasslands around the township are the
abode of wildlife. Chail sanctuary was notified on 21st
March 1976 near Chail Town in District Shimla and covers an
area of 10,854.36 hectares.
Palace Hotel
The little 'hill station' of Chail came into being when
Bhupinder Singh, Maharaja of Patiala was banished from
Shimla, the 'summer capital' of British India, after a
dalliance with the Commander-in-Chief's daughter in the late
19th century.
Cricket Ground
Surrounded by gigantic deodar and well maintained Chail
Cricket ground is the highest cricket ground in the world.
Built in 1893, this cricket pitch located at the height of
2,144m is also used as polo ground.
Maharaja'S Palace
The magnificent Rajgarh palace, with elaborate furnishings,
built in 1891. With comfortable log huts and cottages, dense
forests and serene walks, sprawling lawns, a childrens park,
a `lovers hill', and sports facilities, Chail is a resort in
the real sense of the term.
Sidh Baba Ka Mandir
Maharaja Bhupinder Singh had originally intended this to be
the site of his palace, and had even started building it,
but as is believed, a 'sidh', saintly person appeared in the
Maharaja's dream, and declared that this was the place where
he had meditated. Consequently, Bhupinder Singh shifted his
venue and built a temple on the spot.
Sidh Baba Ka Mandir
Maharaja Bhupinder Singh had originally intended this to be
the site of his palace, and had even started building it,
but as is believed, a 'sidh', saintly person appeared in the
Maharaja's dream, and declared that this was the place where
he had meditated. Consequently, Bhupinder Singh shifted his
venue and built a temple on the spot.
Excursions from Chail
Sadhupul
(14Km.)
14-km from Kandaghat a beautiful tiny village of Sadhupul,
and the bridge over the Ashwani stream, a popular
picnic-spot.
How To Get There - Chail
By Air
There is always the option of flying to Shimla.
By Rail
The ideal way of covering the Kalka-Shimla track is by the
toy train. It takes five hours from Kalka to get to
Kandaghat. The toy train with a maximum of half a dozen
bogies chugs through the most thickly forested tracks,
breathtaking bends, deep ravines and never-ending tunnels.
By Road
Chail is about 86-km from Kalka via Kandaghat. The approach
of Chail is along the Kalka-Shimla route. One has to take a
detour from Kandaghat. From Kandaghat, it is an hour and a
half journey by road to Chail.
Places To Stay - Chail
Accommodation options vary in Chail from luxurious hotels
such as HPTDC's Palace Hotel to budget hotels, cottages and
tourist lodges, which are available at reasonable prices.
Climate - Chail
Chail and its surrounding areas are a delight for tourists
in every season. It is charming in summer, fascinating in
autumn when the fields and the forests are covered with a
cloak of russet and gold and, of course, in winter it is
nothing less than a paradise, when the snow casts its mantle
and remains till the beginning of spring in April.
General Information - Chail
Location
Himachal Pradesh
.
Altitude
2,250m.
Main Attraction
Cricket Ground, Chail Wildlife Sanctuary, Sadhupul.
Best Time
May-July & September - November. |
