Kasauli
Kasumi कसौली kussowlie | |
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Cantonment | |
A view of early morning of Kasauli,from circuit house | |
Kasumi Kasumi Location in Himachal Pradesh, India | |
Coordinates: 30°54′N 76°58′E / 30.9°N 76.96°ECoordinates: 30°54′N 76°58′E / 30.9°N 76.96°E | |
Country | India |
State | Himachal Pradesh |
District | Solan |
Languages | |
• Official | Hindi |
Time zone | IST (UTC+5:30) |
Kasauli (Hindi: कसौली) is a cantonment and town, located in Solan district in the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. The cantonment was established by the British Raj in 1842 as a Colonial hill station,[1] 77 km from Shimla, 65 km from Chandigarh, and 94 km from Ambala Cantt (Haryana), an important Railway Junction of North India and lies at a height of 1,927 metres (6,322 ft).[2] The town is a health resort, having an elevation of 1,900 metres above sea level.[3]
Demographics
According to the 2001 India census, Kasauli had a population of 4994. Males constituted 56% of the population, and females 44%. Kasauli had an average literacy rate of 80%, higher than the then national average of 75.5%; male literacy was 84%, and female 76%. 10% of the population was under 6 years of age.
Climate
Kasauli has a moderate climate. Winter temperature is approximately 2 degrees Celsius, with Summer temperatures rarely exceeding 32 degrees Celsius or more. The general wind direction is south-west to north-east. Total rainfall for the year is 1020 millimetres, with humidity at 90% in September and 28% in April.
Landmarks of Kasauli
Central Research closed
The Central Research Institute (CRI), originally the Pasteur Institute of India, was established at Kasauli in 1904 under its first director Sir David Semple, as an institute working in the fields of immunology and virological research.[4]
The CRI works as a World Health Organization ‘Collaborating Centre’, and as an immuno-biological laboratory producing vaccines for measles and polio, and the DTP group of vaccines. It also provides a Master of Science programme in Microbiology.
Baptist Church
Kasauli Baptist Church is a 1923 brick and wood building situated close to the Sadar Bazzar. According to The Indian Express it is "considered a unique example of colonial architecture of the British era".
In 2008 the church was damaged by a fire which destroyed all internal furnishings.[5][6][7]
Christ Church
Christ Church was previously an Anglican church, inaugurated on 24 July 1853.[5]
Since 1970 it has been under the auspices of the Church of North India (CNI) in the diocese of Amritsar.[8] The church contains Spanish and Italian imported stained glass windows depicting Christ, Mary, Saint Barnabas and Saint Francis.[1]
The Parsonage was built in 1850 for priests of the Anglican church.
Official Website for Church is under construction at http://christchurchkasauli.org
Gurudwara Shri Guru Nanak Ji
The Gurudwara (Sikh house of worship and hospitality) Shri Guru Nanak Ji is located in the Garkhal bazaar near Kasauli.[9] A further Sikh Gurudwara lies on the Kasauli-Mashobra (old Hindustan-Tibet) Road near the Air Force Radar Station.
Krishna Bhavan Mandir
Krishna Bhawan Mandir, a Hindu shrine, was located in the middle of the town. Dedicated to Lord Krishna, the temple exhibits blend of European and Indian architecture.
The mandir is situated in the town and attracts tourists throughout the year. Krishna Bhawan Mandir was built in the year 1926 during the British regime. Imperial rulers, specialists of grand buildings came together with local craftsmen to construct this beautiful shrine. Keeping in mind the principles of Vastu Shastra, the designers and craftsmen built this religious monument.
Kasauli Brewery
The Kasauli Brewery and distillery, founded in the 1820s before the establishment of the Kasauli cantonment, is the oldest extant distillery for 'scotch whisky' in Asia. The Kasauli brewery is also known as Mohan Meakin.
Kasauli Club
The Kasauli Club was established by civilians and service personnel in 1880, as the Kasauli Reading and Assembly Rooms. It gained its present name in 1898 when a limited liability company and constitution were established; its first director was Sir David Semple of Kasauli's Pasteur Institute. At the time the Club was for the exclusive use of the British Raj, and held social meetings, tea and dinner dances, and galas. In 1915 regimental officers at Dagshai, Solan and Subathu could be admitted as honorary members. At Independence in 1947, plans to sell the then loss-making Club failed.[10]
The Club was originally constructed of wood and plaster, and was typical of hill architecture. In 2001, after a 2000 restoration, it was destroyed by fire, losing "elegant, old-world furniture, [and] precious and rare books". By 2005 it had been redesigned and rebuilt in stone, and plans were put forward for a new attached gymnasium.[10]
It is currently located within Indian Army premises and managed by a regular Indian Army Officer as Club Secretary, aided by civilian staff.
In April 2012 the Kasauli Club hosted a two-day Rhythm and Blues Festival as a benefit concert for "seriously ill children".[11][12]
Nahri Temple
The Nahri Temple, devoted to the Goddess Durga and heavenly Lord Shiva, is thought to have been constructed around a hundred and fifty years ago. Also known as 'Jantar Mantar' and 'Choo Mantar Mahadev Temple', the temple is renowned for its festive celebration of Dushera and Shivratri. The temple boasts of striking idols of goddess Durga and Lord Shiva placed in the chamber of temple. Near this temple, there is century-old bauri which still offers sweet potable water. This temple is known to be visited by hundreds of pilgrims each year to present their prayers to the almighty.
Manki Point
Manki Point is situated in the 'Air Force Station' near the Lower Mall region about 4 km from the center of town. According to the Ramayana myth, when Lord Hanuman was returning from the Himalayas after acquiring the "Sanjivany Booty", one of his feet touched the hill; that's why the top of the hill is in the shape of a foot. On starry and clear nights a stunning view of Chandigarh can be seen from Manki Point. The Air Force School inside the station premises is run and managed by the station workers. Cameras, cell phones or any other electronic device is not allowed like headphone, charger, selfie stick, pen drive, memory card, sim card etc. You can lock them in your vehicle or deposit them at the locker facility available (charges applicapble) at the restaurant nearby the gate from which your vehicle can't go any further.
Beja State
Beja State is one of the 18 Simla Hill States, situated just below Kasauli to the west and is bordered by Mahlog, Patiala, Kuthar and the Bharauli tract of Simla District around Sabathu. Beja included 45 villages, over an area of 13 km2 or 5 mi2 with 1,131 subjects.
Mahlog State
The state of Mahlog was founded in 1183.Its original rulers were ruling earlier near Kalka when Mohamad Gauri attacked that area then they shifted to Mahlog area.Initially 193 villages were in its jurisdiction but later over 300 villages were included in it.It was the one of the biggest Princely State of Simla Hill States under British Raj
Education
Educational institutions in or near Kasauli are the Lawrence School Sanawar, The Pinegrove School, St. Mary's Convent School, all co-educational, and the school at Kasauli's K.V. Air Force Station. These schools are affiliated to the Central Board of Secondary Education also GSSS Kot Beja a government senior secondary school at kot beja near Kasauli .
Nearby villages
Gharkhal, Samol, Kasauli Gaon, Mashobra, Chhatiyan, Nahari, Manjhla Madhyana, Kot Beja are some villages situated near Kasauli.
Notable people
- Krishan Kumar Tripathi – author, pioneer Scientist and CRI Kasauli 1980-90[13]
- Frank Blaker, Victoria Cross recipient, born at Kasauli[14]
- Ruskin Bond – Anglo-Indian author, born at Kasauli
- Nathuram Godse – assassin of Mahatma Gandhi, held in a Kasauli barrack during his trial[15]
- Andy Mulligan – Irish rugby international, born at Kasauli
- Giles Radice, Baron Radice – resident at Kasauli, 1942–46[16]
- Khushwant Singh - part-time resident of Kasauli and inspiration for the annual Kushwant Singh Literary Festival hosted in Kasauli since 2012.[17]
References
- 1 2 Sharma, Ambika; "Architecture of Kasauli churches"; The Tribune, Online edition, 2 March 2001. Retrieved 7 July 2012.
- ↑ Kasauli, India Page, fallingrain.com. Retrieved 8 July 2011
- ↑ Gopal, Madan (1990). K.S. Gautam, ed. India through the ages. Publication Division, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India. p. 179.
- ↑ "Pasteur Institute of India, Kasauli" Nature 6 July 1940. Retrieved 9 May 2011
- 1 2 "Churches in Himachal Pradesh"; Himachal-pradesh-tourism.com. Retrieved 27 June 2012
- ↑ Kashyap, Arvind; "Kasauli church pastor suspects arson"; The Indian Express, 14 Nov 2008. Retrieved 7 July 2012.
- ↑ "Fire breaks out in Kasauli Church, Pastor seeks probe"; Oneindia.in, 12 November 2008. Retrieved 7 July 2012.
- ↑ Kasauli Churches Kasauliresort.com. Retrieved 9 May 2011
- ↑ Kasauli Gurudwara indiahimachalpradesh.com. Retrieved 9 May 2011
- 1 2 Sharma, Ambika; "An exclusive retreat in the hills"; The Tribune, Online edition, 29 May 2005. Retrieved 7 July 2012.
- ↑ "Rhythm and Blues festival ends with resolve to work for a cause", The Times of India, 9 April 2012. Retrieved 7 July 2012
- ↑ Kapoor, Jaskiran; "Music in the Mountains"; The Indian Express, 30 March 2012. Retrieved 7 July 2012.
- ↑ http://dbtbiosafety.nic.in/committee/rcgm.htm
- ↑ "Known graves of holders of The Victoria Cross - Frank Gerald Blaker", Victoriacross.org.uk. Retrieved 6 February 2014
- ↑ Walia, Rajan; "Museum planned in complex where Godse was jailed", The Times of India, 17 April 2011. Retrieved 7 July 2012
- ↑ "Lord Radice on mission total recall", The Times of India, 29 April 2004. Retrieved 7 July 2012
- ↑ "Writing on the Wall". The Indian Express. 2013-10-15. Retrieved 2016-02-25.
External links
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Kasauli. |
- Kasauli travel guide from Wikivoyage
- Himachal Pradesh website. Retrieved 8 July 2011
- "Development plan for Kasauli Planning Area", Himachal Pradesh Government. Retrieved 8 July 2011
- "Kasauli - My Ride", Tranquilblog
- "Places to visit in Kasauli", Travel Diary