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Nahan,
Himachal Pradesh |
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General Information about Nahan
Altitude: 932 meters
Area: 2825 square km
Population: 4.58 lakh
Temperature: Max. 38°C Min. 6°C
Clothing: Cotton clothes in Summer and light
woolens in winter.
Language: Hindi, Punjabi, English
Information about Nahan
The town of Nahan is situated on an isolated ridge in
the Shiwalik hills, overlooking green fields. Nahan is a
well laid-out
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picturesque
town, known for its cleanliness and dust free streets. Saint
and princes are linked with
the origin of Nahan. The city was founded as a capital by Raja
Karan Prakash in 1621. As per the another legend, a saint
lived with a companion Nahar on the site where the Nahan
palace now stands. "Nahar" means a Lion and probably the town
takes its name from this saint. Nahan situated at an altitude
of 932 meters, is a good base for visits to the surrounding
areas like Renuka, Paonta Sahib, Trilokpur temple and the
Suketi Fossil Park. The hub of Nahan's activities is Chaugan,
Bikram Bagh and Khadar-Ka-Bagh. Gift shops, Rosin and Turpine
factory and local temples are among the other major
attractions. It has a pleasant climate throughout the year and
is watered by man made lake and decorated with temples and
gardens. It is the headquarter of Sirmaur district.
Festivals of Nahan
Nahan celebrates Bawan Dwadshi towards the end of the monsoon
when fifty two idols of local gods are carried in procession
to Jagannath temple where they are floated ceremoniously in a
pool and are restored at midnight to their niches.
Tourist Attractions in Nahan
The vrious tourist attractions in Nahan are Rani Tal, Suketi
Fossil Park, Trilokpur Temple, Dhaula Kuan and Giri Nagar. |
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Rani Tal
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.
Suketi Fossil Park
The Suketi Fossil Park is located at a distance of 21 kms.
from Nahan, on the bank of Markanda river and is approachable
by a link road 4 kms. from Kala-Amb from Haryana. Suketi
Fossil Park displays life size fiberglass model 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. 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 (extinct grand elephant)
Sivatherium, Hexaprotodon-Sivalensis (hippopotamus with six
incisors), Colosschelys Atlas (giant land tortoise and
chelonia), Paramachaerdus (Sabre Toothed tiger) and Crocodilia
the animals which once thrived in the region. The Shiwalik
formations contain one of the world's richest collection of
mammalian fossils. From a study of these fossils, it has been
possible for the paleontologists to probe into the mysteries
of evolution of prehistoric life and the climate and
environment of these periods which go back to Jurassic era,
nearly 8.5 million years ago. The Shiwalik deposits are
unsurpassed in the world for the richness of the fauna they
entomb. Around this park, plantation work by Horticulture
Department has been done which makes the surroundings quite
charming. The other major attraction is the Museum which
contains various fossils, models, charts and paintings
relating to the various aspects of plants and animals life of
the past and present in Shiwalik range.
Trilokpur Temple
Trilokpur Temple was built in 1573 by Raja Dip Prakash. It is
situated at a distance of 23 kms. from Nahan and 6 kms. from
Kala-Amb, 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.
Dhaula Kuan
Dhaula Kuan is located on the road to Paonta Sahib, about 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 HP KVV where
useful research on tropical fruits is carried out.
Giri Nagar
Giri Nagar is situated at a distance of 7 kms. from Dhaula
Kuan. This town has a power house of 60 MW capacity
constructed after diverting the Giri river through a 6 kms.
tunnel.
How to reach Nahan
By Rail
The nearest railway stations are Ambala, Chandigarh and Kalka
which are connected by a regular bus service.
By Road
Nahan is approachable from many directions by road via Dehra
Dun through Paonta Sahib, and via Solan from Shimla. There are
regular bus services linking it to the other towns like Manali,
Delhi and Haridwar. |
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