Nahan, the capital of the former princely state Sirmaur, is one of the budding tourist destinations of Himachal Pradesh. It has one of the most strategic locations. Situated atop the Shivalik Hills, Nahan has one of the most strategic locations if you talk about tourism.
Dr. Yashwant Singh Parmar and His Legacy
Dr. Yashwant Singh Parmar, who was the first Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh. He is often honored to be the creator of Himachal Pradesh. He was an epitome of simplicity, professionalism and has been seen as an exemplary example of a chief minister who brought development in all the constituencies except his own! This quality of his has been attributed to his impartial nature. Many colleges and chowks have been named after this dignitary to keep alive his legacy.
Getting There: How to Reach Nahan?
Nahan is quite accessible by road, rail, and air. The nearby cities from Nahan are:
Chandigarh: 80 km
Solan:86 km
Dehradun:92 km
Shimla: 133km
Air Connectivity: The nearest airport is Chandigarh Airport which is around 80 kms away.
Railways: The nearest railway station is Ambala, Haryana. Yamuna Nagar station(Haryana) is also nearby.
Road Connectivity: Bus and taxis are available from Chandigarh to Nahan at a frequency of hardly 30 minutes.
SirmauriNaati and Folklore
The folk dance of District Sirmaur, the SirmauriNati, is famous not just in India but the entire world. SirmauriNati was also performed in The Namaste Trump Programme. Many folk songs have been sung in praise of the SirmauriNaati, like the famous Pahari song NaatiSirmauraValiye!
Things To Do While In Nahan.
Sunrise and Sunsets in Nahan
It might feel like an exaggeration to you. But Nahan vouches to be number one amongst the entire Himachal if you talk about sunrise and sunsets’ vibrance and mosaic. You could witness a florid orange sunset one day while a Martian blue sunset some other day if you’re lucky enough!
Nahan Chougan
Chougan is a term used for a sizeable bare ground. There is a famous chougan in Chamba and so is in Nahan. The Chougan in Nahan is where various sports like Cricket and football are played with great enthusiasm.
Ranital
The famous Rani Tal or the Queen’sQueen’s pond is situated in Nahan city’s heart. This beautiful pond boasts of a rich cultural heritage. It also has a beautifully painted yellow and orange Shiva Temple. It also has ducks in the lake while there are a few rabbits in the cage. The center of the place is an ideal place to sit at the bench while enjoying a gentle breeze brushing across your face.
Jaitak Fort
This historically significant fort is situated on the Nahan – Dadahu Road. This place is known because of a famous battle fought between the British and the Gurkhas. As it is located top of Hill, the weather here is quite cold yet pleasant. Get ready to witness a breathtaking topographic view of Nahan from this fort.
Burshingh Mahadev
According to Hindu Mythology, this famous temple is where Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati witnessed the Mahabharata being fought. This temple, situated atop a rocky cliff, promises breathtaking views. It also has a pine forest nearby, an ideal spot for having a picnic with your family.
Famous Eateries and Restaurants in Nahan
No place is complete without talking about the must-try delicacies of the area. Nahan boasts of an economical budget when it comes to food. If you look at hill stations like Shimla and Dharamshala, Nahan is comparatively quite pocket friendly.
Bake Studio
This bakery cum restaurant is situated in the city’s heart, just close to the famous Yashwant Chowk. It is well known for its Belgian Waffles, which come pre-loaded with Nutella, ice cream, and round slices of bananas. It is also quite famous for its pav bhaji and White sauce Pasta. You’d appreciate the heavenly ambiance of this place.
Brijwasi Restaurant
This place is a little hard to find because it is situated somewhere in the narrow lanes of Nahan Market. But trust me, if you’re a Chinese or a South Indian Food fan, this place is undoubtedly never going to disappoint you! The famous Cheese Dosa is something you’re going to relish the most.
Hotel City Heart
Situated just opposite the famous Chowgaan of Nahan, this restaurant’s window seat view is splendid. You could enjoy youngsters playing football as the sun sets, and you munch over your finger-licking Malai Kofta. Also, as gross as it sounds,gulab jamun ice cream is something you’d die for if you sport a sweet tooth. The Chicken Sizzler, Lemon Chicken, Kadhai Paneer, and Vegetable Noodles are things you surely cannot miss out on.
Hotel Prem Nisarga,Kabira
Situated near the Royal Palace of Nahan, it is the ideal place if you love parties. It also offers its guests with a dance floor and a DJ on demand. Honey Chilly Potato is its specialty.
Mehak Restaurant
Situated at a stone’s throw from the Chaugaan, this restaurant is ideal for Non-vegetarian epicureans. Butter Chicken, Lemon Chicken, Chilly Chicken are prepared best by them in Nahan’s entire city. The different types of Chaps are also must-try.
The Famous Maggie Point
Located at an unnamed place on Nahan-Shimla Highway, this small shop offers not just fantastic vegetable Maggie, but picturesque view comes complementary from its open-air rooftop. The tea here is also quite refreshing.
Dockyard Café
Also called the Rider’s Café, this place is situated at the Igloo Point of Jamta, Nahan. It is famous for its sandwiches and Kebabs. The café might not look quite appealing to you from outside, but the food and ambiance shall remove all your apprehensions.
Other Destination In Nahan
Villa Round
This place is perfect for evening and morning walks. It also has a cemetery with the braves of viceroys and eminent doctors from the time of Britishers. It also has a fantastic bench if you explore a little inside the park.
Suketi Fossil Park
It is a National geo heritage monument. It is a famous fossil park situated around 25 km from Nahan on the banks of the river Markanda. This park’s main attraction is the humongous fiberglass statues of extinct mammals whose actual fossils were discovered at this place. This place attracts people with scientific temperament.
Renuka Lake
This amazing place is just 40 km away from the central city of Nahan. It is situated at the confluence of two rivers, namely Giri and Jalal. It is the largest natural lake in Himachal Pradesh. The main attraction for tourists remains Boating in Renuka Lake.
This lake is the personification of Goddess Renuka as it is an oval-shaped lake resembling the goddess. There is a temple dedicated to Lord ParshuRam nearby as well.
Every year on the day of Kartika Ekadashi, the lake is visited by pilgrims in large numbers. A fair that stretches to seven days is also held around this time. Taking a dip in the lake on the day of Kartik Ekadashi is said to wash away all the sins. This fair has particular importance for the people of Nahan and District Sirmaur as a whole.
Paneer Jalebi Near Bus Stand, Rajgarh
Rajgarh is a small town about 95 km from the city towards Hari Pur Dhar. The finger-licking Paneer Jalebi of Rajgarh is famous all over Himachal and is one of the things which you surely cannot miss out on.
Gurudwara Paonta Sahib Ji
One of the most notable monuments built in the loving memory of the 10th Guru, Guru Gobind Singh Ji. This place holds exceptional value for Hindus and Sikhs alike. The story behind its name has two aspects. It is believed that when Guru Gobind Singh Ji set foot on this place from then on, this place was called “Paon-Tika,” which translates to set foot in Hindi. Another legend is that Guru Gobind Singh Ji lost his foot ornament, which was called Paonta in the Yamuna River; since then, this place is called Paonta.
The attraction of this Gurudwara is a palanquin made of gold. This Gurudwara, situated on River Yamuna banks, is a sight to behold during the monsoons when the water level in the Yamuna rises. This Gurudwara is one of the most historically significant places of Paonta Sahib.
Also Read: Trek To Triund – A Step By Step Guide
NohraDhar
NohraDhar is a small village situated around 90 km from Nahan. It is the starting point for the famous Churdhar trek, which has been discussed later in this article.
Nohra Dhar is a haven for trekkers. This small yet self-sufficient place has almost all the necessary things you’d require to spend a relaxing weekend. It has some fantastic and pristine waterfalls.
Haripur Dhar
This place is famous for the Bhangyayani Devi Temple. A large number of tourists from Punjab, Haryana, and Chandigarh visit this place in large numbers. This temple is situated atop a hill with picturesque views. It has got a large number of stairs which are usually ice cold. You should surely give the Aloo Paranthas near the Bhangyayani Mata temple a shot!
This place also has a helipad for emergency services. There is also a dilapidated Fort, which has now been taken over by the Forest department, which stands as a memoir showing the boundary dispute between two princely kingdoms Sirmaur and Jubbal.
Churdhar Peak Trek
Churdhar is also referred to as Churi-Chandni, which translates to Bangle of Snow. This place is believed to be the place where Lord Hanuman found the SanjeevaniBooti for Lakshman. This trek is considered to be one of the not so easy hikes. Last year a doctor from PGI died due to altitude sickness, so it is advisable to be adequately acclimatized to the hills and high altitude before heading towards the trek. It takes around 5-6 hours to complete the hike, but the view from the top is worth the climb. You can easily camp on the hilltop, but you should carry your tent and goodies.
If you’re lucky enough, you might spot various birds, and animals like Monal, Kolsas, pheasants, and animals such as the endangered Himalayan Black Bear and the canine toothed musk dear amongst others.
Where to stay at Nahan?
Hotel Prem Nisarga,Kabira
Located in the main market of Nahan, near the Royal Palace and Chougaan. It offers various amenities like Airconditioning, Wi-Fi, Conference Room, Power Backup, Heaters, and Geysers. This is one of the most affordable yet liveable Hotels in the main Nahan.
It also has a restaurant and a bar.
The Sirmaur Retreat
It is a luxury hotel located on the Renuka Road at Jamta. This offers various amenities like Karoke, Movie Theatre, Pool Table for recreation. It is a perfect weekend getaway for your entire family. The resort also offers an Open Air lounge, Open Air Bair, and also a conference auditorium.
Sailani Resorts
Located at Sainwala Tehsil at the NH -72, Chandigarh -Dehradun Highway. It is quite close to Kala Amb. It offers various facilities like Wi-fi, Free Breakfast, Swimming Pool, Conference Room, Electric Kettles, Air conditioning, and proper heating as and when required.