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
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.
Central Research Institute
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.[6] 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.
Christ Church
Christ Church was previously an Anglican church, inaugurated on 24 July 1853. Since 1970 it has been under the auspices of the Church of North India (CNI) in the diocese of Amritsar. The church contains Spanish and Italian imported stained glass windows depicting Christ, Mary, Saint Barnabas and Saint Francis.
The Parsonage was built in 1850 for priests of the Anglican church.
Gurudwara Shri Guru Nanak Ji
The Gurudwara (Sikh house of worship and hospitality) Shri Guru Nanak Ji is located in the Gharkhal bazaar near Kasauli.[8] A further Sikh Gurudwara lies on the Kasauli-Mashobra (old Hindustan-Tibet) Road near the Air Force Radar Station.[citation needed]
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.[citation needed] The Kasauli brewery is also known as Mohan Meakins.[citation needed]
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.
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.
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".
The famous attractions of Kasauli are:
Monkey Point
Travel to this highest point in Kasauli and your eyes will be greeted with the overwhelming views of the whole town. This point also has a small temple of Lord Hanuman. As the hill also houses an air force radar station and base so no cameras or bags are allowed here for security reasons.
Barog
At one point of time Barog was only a stopover but in the recent years it has gained popularity as a tourist attraction of Kasauli. From here you can enjoy the arresting views of the Choor Chandni, which is popularly known as the “mountain of the silver bangle”.
Upper and Lower Malls
The junction of Upper and Lower Malls is dotted with many shops selling wonderful handicrafts.
Other known places to visit in Kasauli are Shri Sai Baba Mandir, Shri Baba Balak Nath Temple, Baptist Church and Christ Church and Sabathu.
Accommodation in Kasauli
From four-star to budget hotels, all kinds of accommodation options are available in Kasauli.
How to Reach Kasauli
By Air :Chandigarh (64 km) and Shimla (77 km) are the nearest airports.
By Rail : Kalka (40 km) is the nearest railway station.
By Road : Kasauli is well connected by road. There are regular bus, coach and taxi services. The State transport buses ply on a regular basis from Chandigarh and Delhi.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDelete