Kasauli - during monsoons

Many moods of Kasauli - during monsoons

I have already narrated my afinity with Kasauli in my earlier blog titled 'Kasauli - the quiestes hill station' as my first blog on 20th April, 2007. Therein I had mentioned that the views from Kasauli during monsoons is something ethereal. I had the opportunity to visit Kasauli again during last week of June, 2007 for some personal work and took the opportunity to capture a few alluring moments in my digital camera. For those who have not read my earlier blog, Kasauli is situated in District Solan in Himachal Pradesh and is a pristine hill station. It is at an average height of 6000 odd feet and about 325 Kms. from Delhi by road. The other means of reaching are detailed in my earlier blog referred to hereinabove. The most distinctive feature of Kasauli is that being the first hill ranges after the plains of Haryana & Punjab if offers unbridled view of the plains on one side as against the Shimla hills & beyond on other side. Hills adopt different moods during different seasons of the year, I invite you to soak in the spirit of the mountains during monsoons -

Hills shrouded in clouds -

Wandering clouds -

Clouds drifting through valley below -

Clouds enveloping -

Imposing TV tower of Kasauli against backdrop of clouds -

Tufts of clouds drifting across the plains below -

Another view of the clouds drifting over the plains below -

Drifting smoke or is it clouds?

Pink lillies in bloom - natures' paintbrush

This shrub is called 'Guldasta' because of the shape of its flowers -

Sparkling like diamonds - raindrops on pine leaves -

Green ferns abound during monsoons - like green carpet over hill side

Green rose - another of monsoon specialties in Kasauli

Rain clouds looming large over valley below -

Kasauli panorama - I (watch the TV tower as a point of reference)

Kasauli Panaroma - II (watch Monkey point - distinct hill top at far left end of the picture)

Hope you enjoy this visual treat.
Here is a link to the video - 

Kasauli - a unique hill station

View of Shimla Hills from Lower mall, Kasauli

My association with Kasauli & its location - I was born in Kasauli, District Solan, Himachal Pradesh and have had my initial schooling there. However, this quaint hill station has a unique quality which is unmatched. For those interestedin visiting Kasauli, you can either travel by train to Kalka via Delhi or directly if available and thereafter proceed upto Dharampur by Kalka-Shimlatrains which leave at short intervals from Kalka. Else you can travel by Car/Taxi or Bus which are available from Delhi, Chandigarh & Kalka. Kasauli is around 300 Kms from Delhi (around 6 hours drive), 65 Kms. from Chandigarh (2.5 hoursdrive) and 32 Kms. from Kalka (1.15 Hours drive) by road. You can visit Shimla from Kasauli which is another 77 Kms. by road (2.5 Hours drive).

Brief history of Kasauli -It was developed as a British Cantonment in 1842 and the sign board at Kasauli Military Hospital reflects this date. The Cantonment status of this place still exists. It is also known for two other important Instituions one being the Pastuer Institute founded in 1900 by Dr. David Semple, now known as the Central Research Institute which has been the source of various vaccinations like Rabies, Snake bite anti-venom, Yellow fever etc. The second Institution which is now closed and building taken over by the Central Research Institutte was the ernstwhile Lady Linithgow Sanatorium which was the premier Institution for treating tuberculosis during its heydays and many leading luminaries have been treated here and my father late Sh. J.N. Roy Biswas had served this Institution with utmost dedication towards his profession.

View from Upper Mall, Kasauli

Mythological importance of Kasauli - It is believed that Lord Hanuman while looking for the 'Sanjeevani booti/herb' had rested one of his foot atop Monkey Point and the top of this mountian is shaped like a human foot and a temple was erected their in early 1970's when a shila was discovered after numerous accidents which took place during construction of Air Force Station in the area. Notably no accidents took place after installation of the shilain the temple atop this mountain. The climb to this place is arduous and no photography is permitted in its vicinity.

Places to see - Kasauli is a quaint little hill station at around 1900mtrs. from mean sea level. It is also known as the quitest hill station, as it isdevoid of usual hustle & bustle associated with other hills stations, except onweekends now a days. There are three main areas where you can loiter around - Lower mall, Upper mall & main Bazar. Lower mall provides with excellent view of the Shimla hills & valley below. It is advisable to make a trip after sun-set as during clear nights Shimla & other small townships/villages sparkle as small shining stars & the viewis exhilarating. The upper mall during early morning & after monsoons offer tremondous view of Shimla hills (Lawrence School) etc. on one side and the plains on the other. This is another must visit spot at night as the view of plains with all the townships glowing (including Chandigarh & at times Ambala) as tiny bulbs offers a stupendous & memorable expereince. And last but not the least the Kasauli Bazar although small, with its small sprinkling of Tibetian merchants have lots of memorabilia to offer. Must try the local delicacy of the young called 'Bun Samosa/Tikki' available at local sweetmeat shops.

Inside Kasauli Church

Places to stay - Hotel Roscommon (Maintained by HPTDC - very good), Hotel Alasia (Very good), Hotel Maurice (So so). Apart from these Hotels there are some small guest houses also which operate in the area.

Have a enjoyable weekend at Kasauli

Here is a video for the destination -