Solan: Railway, Shoolini Festival and Karol Trek

Solan offers several distinct reasons to visit: the narrow-gauge Kalka–Shimla Heritage Railway, the Shoolini tradition and the Karol Trek. You can therefore plan your trip around different interests rather than grouping every experience under a single travel theme. First consider whether the railway, religious culture, the June festival or a hike will shape your stay. This priority can help you look for a holiday rental as a base for your trip, without trying to fit every theme into a fixed itinerary.

Railway and religious culture

The narrow-gauge Kalka–Shimla Heritage Railway runs through Solan and is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. For railway enthusiasts, this gives the town a direct connection to the route. If you plan to take a train journey, check the current schedule in advance.

The Shoolini Mata Temple in Solan is dedicated to the goddess Shoolini, an incarnation of Maa Durga. This dedication offers a different way to connect with the town than the railway does: it points to a religious tradition with a specific connection to Maa Durga. The railway and temple thus represent two distinct themes that can be incorporated into your trip independently of one another.

The Shoolini Festival in June

The Shoolini Fair takes place every year in June as a three-day mela at Thodo Ground. The Shoolini Festival is also celebrated every year on the third Sunday in June, with the main events held at Thodo Ground. If you are planning a festival-focused trip, the calendar is an important part of your planning. Check the exact dates each year before you travel.

Karol Trek and nearby places

The Karol Trek starts at Chambaghat in Solan City and ends at Shikhar Ki Devi Temple. These named endpoints give the hike a clearly defined route and make it a different focus from the railway or festival. If the hike is part of your plans, you can consider it a separate factor from the outset when choosing your accommodation.

The surrounding area also offers a range of attractions. Barog is 7 km from Solan, nestled among pine forests at a mountain pass and offering clear views of the snow-covered Churdhar Peak. In Arki, near Solan, the Sair Festival is held every year in mid-September; bullfights are among its main attractions. Check the current dates and programme before you travel. Also nearby is Jatoli Temple on Rajgarh Road, 8 km from Solan: a Shiva temple considered one of the oldest religious temples in Solan district. Arki Fort was built by Rana Prithvi Singh between 1800 and 1805.

Find a holiday rental to suit your plans

When choosing a holiday rental, it helps to distinguish first between Solan’s own attractions and places in the surrounding area. The railway, Shoolini Mata Temple, fair and starting point of the Karol Trek connect your trip directly with Solan. Barog, Arki and Jatoli are reasons to include the surrounding area in your plans too. If you are especially drawn to the pine forests and views of Churdhar, Barog is a destination in its own right; festivals or the trek may be your main focus instead. First decide whether Solan itself or several nearby places will shape your trip. You can then tailor your search for a holiday rental or holiday home to the activities you have in mind.

Discover more destinations

Kasauli, Nalagarh, Junga, Parwanoo, Kullu, Sirmaur, Una and Palampur.

For the overview of the wider region, see: Himachal Pradesh.