A well-laid out
picturesque town of Nahan is situated on an isolated ridge in the
Shiwalik hills, overlooking greenfields. Known for its cleanliness and
dust free streets, saints and princes are linked with the origin of
Nahan. The city was founded as a capital by Raja Karan Prakash in 1621.
Another version recalls a saint who lived with a companionable Nahar on
the site where the Nahan palace now stands. "Nahar" means a
lion and probably the town takes its name from this saint.
At an altitude of
9,32m, Nahan is a good base for visits to the surrounding pilgrim areas
viz. Renuka, Paonta Sahib, Trilokpur temple and the Suketi Fossil Park.
It has a pleasant climate throughout the year and is watered by man made
lake and decorated with temples and gardens. It is also the headquarter
of Sirmaur district.
ATTRACTION
Nahan Town: The
gentle level walks of Villa Round, Military Round and Hospital Round are
evocative of the city's past. The hub of Nahan's activities is Chaugan,
Bikram Bagh and Khadar-Ka-Bagh. Gift shops, Rosin & Turpine factory
and local temples are among the other major attractions. In the heart of
Nahan town is Rani Tal, where a large temple and a tank from the days of
ex-rulers of Sirmaur state can be seen. Ducks and cranes are seen
playing in the Ranital Tank, and Ranital Garden further adds to the
charm.
Giri Nagar:
Situated at a distance of 7-kms from Dhaula Kuan, this town has a power
house of 60 M.W. capacity, constructed after diverting the Giri river
through a 6-kms long tunnel.
TEMPLES
Trilokpur
Temple: Raja Dip Prakash built it in 1573 and is situated at a
distance of 23-kms from Nahan and 6-kms from Kalka-Ambala highway, the
gateway to Nahan from Haryana . Trilokpur is a place of great religious
importance. The temple of the goddess Mahamaya Bala Sundri is very
famous and attracts lakhs of pilgrims from all over northern India,
especially from Haryana and Himachal. A fair is held twice an year
during the Navratras in April and October when a large number of
devotees visit this temple and pay their respects to the goddess.
OTHERS
Suketi Fossil
Park: Suketi Fossil Park displays life size fiberglass models of
pre-historic animals whose fossil, skeletons were unearthed here. The
park is first of its kind in Asia to be developed at the actual site
where fossils were discovered. At a distance of 21-kms from Nahan, the
Suketi Fossil Park is located on the bank of Markanda river and is
approachable by a link road 4-kms from Kalka-Ambala highway from Haryana.
Located on upper and middle Shiwaliks, consisting mainly of soft
sandstone and clay rocks, the park at present has six sets of life-size
models of Stegodonganesa Sivatherium, Hexaprotodon-Sivalensis,
Colosschelys Atlas, Paramachaerdus and Crocodilia, the animals which
once thrived in the region. more...
Dhaula Kuan: On
the road to Paonta Sahib 20-kms from Nahan, it is worth while to stop
and see a sprawling orchard consisting of citrus plants and mangoes and
a fruit canning factory of various kinds of juices, jams, pickles and
canned fruits. A little away from Dhaula Kuan is Kastasan Devi temple
where Raja Jagat Singh defeated the advancing army of Rulam Quadir
Rohilla in a great battle. Their victory is commemorated in the Devi
Temple, built in gratitude by the Raja. Dhaula Kuan also has a research
station of H.P., KVV where useful research on tropical fruits is carried
out.
