Snow-clad mountains along with dense forests and peaceful surroundings make Kasauli one of the most visited places in the state of Himachal Pradesh. The hamlet was developed by the British in the year 1842 as a cantonment town, one can still come across the influence of the British in the architecture of the various buildings, churches, etc. here.
Like most other towns established by the British, Kasauli also has a mall or the ceremonial route which was taken by the British soldiers. The place has two routes which are known as the upper mall and the lower mall, the intersection of both is a major attraction here which exhibits three lined avenues along with an array of shops and other buildings which draw many tourists.
Best Time To Visit:
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Kasauli is a year-around destination, which attracts visitors almost 365 days of the year. However, the best time to visit the place is considered to be the months of April to November as the weather remains pleasant during this time, making one fall in love with the natural beauty of the place.
How To Reach
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By Air: The nearest major airport is the Shimla airport which is located at a distance of 50 km from here. The airport is well connected to various airports across the country with regular flights to Delhi, Bengaluru, Kolkata, etc.
By Train: The nearest railway head is the Kalka station which is located at a distance of 25 km from here. The station is the starting point of the well-known Kalka-Shimla toy train ride which is also recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site apart from which it is well connected to a number of stations across the country.
By Road: One of the best ways to reach the place is by road as it provides excellent connectivity by road. There are plenty of buses which are operated by the Himachal Pradesh Road Transport Corporation, which connects the place to cities, such as Chandigarh, Delhi, etc.
Driving Routes From Delhi
The total driving distance from Delhi to Kasauli is about 288 km which would take you about 5.5 h to reach via NH 44, which would take you through some well-known towns and cities, such as Panipat, Kurukshetra, Panchkula, etc. An alternative route to reach Kasauli from Delhi is through NH 709A and NH 44 which would take you about 7.5 h to cover a total distance of 328 km via this route.
Route 1: Delhi - Sonipat - Panipat - Kurukshetra - Ambala - Panchkula - Kasauli via NH 44
Route 2: Delhi - Sonipat - Shamli - Karnal - Kurukshetra - Ambala - Panchkula - Kasauli via NH 709 A and NH 44
Short Stop At Kurukshetra
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One of the most important places for the followers of Hinduism, Kurukshetra is also known as Dharmakshetra and is associated with the Mahabharatha and the Bhagavad Gita. It is said that Lord Krishna gave Arjuna the Geethopadesam in the very place and hence, it is considered as its birthplace. Due to religious and historical importance, one would come across a large number of monuments, temples, ponds, etc. which have their fair share of stories to narrate.
The major attractions here are the Sri Krishna Museum, Brahmasarovar, Jyotisar, which is considered as the birthplace of the Gita, the many temples and ponds.
Destination: Kasauli
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The cantonment town is home to the well-known Kasauli Brewery, which is said to be the oldest and highest functioning distillery, which produces scotch and whiskey in Asia. The small hamlet transports you to the 19th century colonial rule whose influence can still be seen in its pathways, the architecture of the houses with their elegant facades and well-maintained gardens and orchards.
One would come across pine woods, Himalayan oak and horse chestnuts across the place across the hillsides, which offer breathtaking views of the beautiful surroundings.
Monkey Point
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The place is the highest point in the town and is home to a shrine dedicated to the monkey god, Hanuman. It is believed that while Hanuman was returning back with the Sanjeevani herb, his foot touched this point and hence, is considered holy due to which a large number of visitors make their way up here. While up here you can catch the view of the entire town and take in the rejuvenating mountain breeze and its serenity.
Christ Church
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Built in the year 1853 by the British, making it one of the oldest churches in the state of Himachal Pradesh, Christ Church is well known for its architectural features which throw light on some of the best to be found in the Gothic style of architecture.