Located
at a height of 2250 metres Chail is one of the smallest Himalayan
hill resorts. When Bhupinder Singh, Maharaja of Patiala, was expelled
from Shimla, he decided to create his own summer capital, which
was Chail. Lying just 45 kms away from Shimla, surrounded by a thick
cover of deodars and situated at a higher altitude, Chail was a
perfect choice in the British-controlled Shimla.
Chail
is a resort in the real sense of the term. Rajgarh palace with it's
elaborate furnishings, comfortable log huts and cottages, dense
forests, and serene walks, sprawling lawns, a childrens park, a
lover's hill and sport facilities make chail worth a visit. It also
provides good, opportunities for fishing and trekking and boasts
of the world's highest cricket pitch and polo ground.
Tourist destinations
Sai
Baba Temple
Maharaja Bhupinder Singh had originally intended this to be the
site of his palace, and had even started building it, but as is
believed, a `sidh', saintly person appeared in the Maharaja's dream,
and declared that this was the place where he had meditated. As
a result, Bhupinder Singh shifted his venue and built a temple on
the spot.
Wildlife Sanctuary Spread in an area of more than 110 sq. kms,
at the foothills of mighty Himalayas, Chail Sanctuary encompasses
a vast forest cover. In 1976, Chail wildlife sanctuary was identified
and was declared as a protected area. Apart from its animals and
birds, the main attraction of the sanctuary is the Chir Pheasant
breeding farm. The Chir Pheasant breeding and rehabilitation programme
has been started in 1988. Visitors can come to the Chir Pheasant
Breeding centres situated at Blossom and Jhajja. The forests are
mainly dense covers of Oak and Pine, apart from the other major
grassland covers.
Wildlife Attractions Chail Sanctuary has mainly mammals in its
area. The large mammals include rhesus macaque, leopard, Indian
muntjac and goral crested porcupine. Other species include Himalayan
black bear, wild boar, common langur, sambar, black-naped hare.
European red deer was introduced half a century ago by the former
Maharaja of Patiala but none was sighted during a census in 1988.
The avian population comprises majorly of Chir pheasant and Kalij
pheasant. The Chir breeding and rehabilitation centre has helped
increase in number of Chir birds in the forests.
» How
to reach Chail
By
Air : Nearest airports are Shimla and Chandigarh.
By Rail : Nearest railhead is Kalka (86 Km).
By Road : Accessible by road from Kalka via Kandaghat
which is 32 Km short of Shimla, on the Kalka - Shimla Highway.
Kandaghat - Chail is 29 Km.
