Kasauli - Houses On The Hill
There is nothing that special about Kasauli, Really! There are not too many sightseeing points compared to a Shimla or a Mussorie, but that’s what I think is the strength of this tiny hill station – the sheer beauty of nothingness! Kasauli has been a favourite haunt of mine for years, so much so that I must have gone here some 10 times. Thus I thought it was appropriate that I write about this place more sooner than later!
In case and most probably that will be the case, you are driving down from Delhi, take the G T Karnal Road. The 330 Km distance from Delhi to Kasauli can be covered non stop(in case you have a driver) with the washroom breaks in about 4.5 to 5 hours. We would though strongly recommend you to halt at these following places :
Moorthal(55 Km’s from Delhi) : Great place to halt and grab some piping hot stuffed Paranthas(Veg Only Though)
Chandigarh(250 Km’s from Delhi) : A city that boasts of being the capital of two states : Haryana and Punjab, stop by this beautiful town to see the clean roads and the neat architechture. Be sure to visit the sector 17 market and catch a glimpse of the high end apparel shops and the beautiful and stylish Punjabi women going gaga over them. In case you have time, also check out the even cleaner town of Panchkulla just a few Km’s from Chandigarh.
The road from Delhi to Chandigarh used to be a flawless one, but with the National Highway project constructing an expressway between Panipat to Patiala, the drive is quite a pain in case you are a Speed Junkie.
Whizzing past the blood red skies on the way to Chandigarh
For the easy riders though, there’s enough to see around(See Pic) to keep them happy at the wheel.
One of the good things about Kasauli is that you get to stay at huge colonial hotel rooms at dirt cheap prices. Well, luxury does not come cheap so there must be some catch, aint it? So Hotels like Alesia, Maurice and Rosscommon are over 80-100 years old…but don’t expect 5 star service out here. The pace of the staff is slow and it kind of matches the towns ethics. Slow down two gears from your city life and feel the peace strolling at the huge lawns and spending your evenings by the fireside in the Main hall of your designated room!
The lush green lawns of the Alesia Hotel
A mesmerized tourist watches the morning scene from the Maurice Balcony
Hotels like Maurice and Alesia are available for about 3000 INR, but one tip to give here is negotiate breakfast in the package as the food rates are quite high.
High Tea at Roscommon
Rosscommon is the most reputed hotel but finding a room is always almost next to impossible. In case you are not staying there, drop by for some evening tea here, as the benches and the adjoining view of the hills can be really soothing.
Kasauli is about 80 Km from Chandigarh and as one goes up from Kalka town onwards on the slopes, the temperature kind of falls a bit and it becomes really pleasant.
The friendly man who runs the capsule at Timber Trails
Barring the Vertigo Effect, Great View!
Stop by at the Timber Trails ropeway to feel the great rush of seeing the ground below from a couple of thousand feet. I befriended the capsule driver and he told me that 15 years back when this started, the fare was just 15 INR and today it is 650 INR. Inflation Country indeed!
Approaching Kasauli Town from a Distance
Soon you start seeing houses on the hill and you know that a town is approaching. Kasauli actually is a cantonment 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.At about 5900 Ft , Kasauli is home to the great Anglo Indian writer Ruskin Bond.
The serene roads of Kasauli Cantonment
What I will not do to own such a house and wake up here every morning
Even the dog has a lazy swagger at Kasauli
The magic of the drunken Monk
Try Old Monk : This Indian drink has by now gained a cult following and we need not say more, do we? Just this that sip your monk sitting in the balcony with some coke and feel worries dissolve like Dispirin in water!
Red Red Wine
Buy Wines : A must do if you are in Kasauli. Try the Plum wine as it’s really superb in taste
Refreshing Apple Beer
Try the Apple Beer : Found it far far more refreshing when taken chilled than all the commercial beer that I have had.
Some of the famous places to visit in Kasauli are the Christ Church, Kasauli Brewery and the Monkey point.
Food options in the hills are always limited, as the pahadis(Hill Folks) lead a very simple life and have lavish food once in a while. The restaurants resonate with that same feeling in my last 10 visits here, I have seldom eaten outstanding food at Kasauli. So it was a pleasant surprised where our Room Boy at Alesia smiled and told me that for dinner he will make Padi Chicken Curry. The fare that followed was quite delicious and gastronomic.
Indian Food at it’s best
Closure
Kasauli is a great place to unwind. Unwind from the daily chores, the cacophony, the routine. Most importantly, Kasauli is a place to indulge yourself with your inner luxurious self. After all , that guy inside also sometimes needs to chill out, doesn’t he?
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2 Comment
Thanks for the comments Mr Batra. Yes, we have been there many times, but the urge to go again always remains strong!
Yes,its true that Kasauli (Kussowlie) is a paradise and you have rightly observed it.