Himachal Pradesh, located in the northern part of India, has a total of twelve districts. Solan is one of the twelve districts. The district headquarters is situated in the town of Solan. The area covered by Solan District equals to 1936 sq. kilometer approximately. In Solan District of Himachal Pradesh, Solan is a city as well as a Municipal Corporation. On 1st September 1972, Solan was formed. Shimla is the capital city of the state of Himachal Pradesh and to the south of Shimla, at a distance of 50 kilometers away, Solan is situated. From the name of the Hindu goddess, Shoolini Devi, the name of the place has been derived. Each year, in the month of June, a fair is organized in Solan.

 At the commencement of each fair, goddess Shoolini Mata is worshipped. At the central Thodo ground, a mela, which goes on for 3 days, takes place on this event. The capital of the former princely state of Bhagat was Solan. At Chambaghat a research centre concerning mushrooms is situated and also an extensive mushroom cultivation land is there in this area. For this reason Solan is also called the Mushroom city of India. Another name for the city is City of Red Gold. Because of the mass production of tomatoes in this region, the name is given so.

The biggest city of Himachal Pradesh in terms of land coverage is Solan, covering an area of 33.43 sq. kilometer. Shimla covers an area of 31.60 sq. kilometer, which makes it the second biggest city of the state. The position of the city having the most per capita vehicles population in Asia is held by Solan. In terms of having the most urban population in Himachal Pradesh, Solan comes second after Shimla.

Solan History

The princely states of Bhagal, Bhagat, Kunihar, Kuthar, Mangal, Beja, Mahlog, Nalagarh and some sections of Keonthal and Kothi form the current day district of Solan. The distrct also contains some hilly areas of the composite Punjab State. On 1st November 1966 the mixed Punjab State was restructured on the basis of the language spoken by the people. Upon this restructuring the hilly area of the composite Punjab was amalgamated into the state of Himachal Pradesh. From the 1803 to 1805, the Gorkhas invaded and attacked the majority of the princely states.  The British defeated the Gorkhas and ousted them in the year 1815. As a result the princely states gained their freedom and they were given back to their former rulers. Before the Independence, the administrator of Shimla Hill States was in charge of the princely states, as they covered a small area and also had little population.

On 15th April, 1948, Himachal Pradesh was first seen on Indias administrative map. At that time the Mahasu District was contained of Bhagat, Baghal, Kunihar, Kuthar, Mangal, Beja, Keonthal and Koti states. Post Independence, the state of Nalagarh was acceded into Patiala and East Punjab State Union. Afterwards, in 1956, during the restructuring of the states, the same state of Nalagarh became a part of Punjab. It continued to be a tehsil of Ambala District. On 1st November, 1972, similar to other hilly regions of Kullu, Lahul and Kangra districts, Kandaghat and Shimla tehsils of Shimla district came to be a component in the state of Himachal Pradesh. Subsequently, Solan appeared on Indias map. Around the final quarter of the 19th century, following the formation of the cantonment, the town of Solan came into being. The name of Solan District is obtained from the name of Solam Town.

Solan Climate

The weather of Solan remains cool. The average elevation of the place is 1600 meters. In the center of the Parwanoo-Shimla section of N.H.-22, the district of Solan is located. A temperate climate prevails in the area. The weather does not get as cold as it gets in Shimla, and also does not get as hot as Kalka. The average temperature remains around 32 degree Celsius. It does not get higher than this. For staying point of view, Solan is believed to be a perfect place. A small amount of rainfall takes place in Solan in the winter months. Throughout the year the temperature varies between -4 C to 32 C

Solan Tourism

Some of the Tourist places in Solan are mentioned in the list below

Tourist places in Solan
Solan Town
Mata Shoolini Temple
Tunnel at Barog
Bon Monarstery
Parwanoo
Chail
Arki Town
Kasauli Town
Arki Fort