Chail is perhaps the most underrated hill station in India. Overshadowed by the bigger hill station of Shimla that is located nearby, Chail is a hidden treasure that was not developed by the British but was instead created by the Maharaja of Patiala. For anyone looking for a destination that is off the beaten path and removed from the tourist circuit, Chail is just perfect.
History of Chail
The history of Chail is very interesting and defines Chail as a destination. In 1891, Maharaja Rajendra of Patiala quarreled with Lord Kitchener of the British Raj and was banished from Shimla, the summer capital of India. Angry at being rebuffed, the Maharaja decided to make a summer capital of his own in competition with the British. Thus, he founded Chail.
The Maharaja chose this location in Chamba Valley for its scenic beauty and untouched jungles. He built a palace here and also built several other structures including the world’s highest Cricket Ground. Today, many of these buildings are still standing and Chail still exudes an aura of regal India that harks back to the days of the Maharaja.
Visiting Chail
Due to its picturesque landscapes, pristine surroundings and many tourist attractions, Chail is a great place to visit for a vacation, getaway or extended trip. There are a lot of things to see and do here and the market in Chail has its own charm. In Chail, one can also spend time in the Wildlife Sanctuary, which is full of unique flora and fauna that have blossomed due to the protection provided by the law.
The Chail Cricket ground is used to stage cricket matches and is also sometimes. used as a Polo Ground. The open stadium affords wonderful vistas of the nearby mountains and valleys and is popular with tourists who come to Chail. Today, you can tour this facility and marvel at its construction and the care that was put into making it.
The Maharaja also built a military school here that has an impressive campus. It is still used by the Indian Government to train soldiers and store material. There is also a Rashtriya Military School here where 300 cadets from all over the country are groomed to be future leaders.
The Maharaja also built a Gurudwara here in 1907 that is constructed in an interesting indo-western style. It has a 22 feet high wooden ceiling that is widely admired and marveled. The Gurudwara is popular with tourists and an important stopping point for tourists, especially Sikh pilgrims.
Besides these institutions built by the Maharaja, there is also a charming temple here that is worth visiting. The Kali Ka Tibba Temple is located on a hill and affords wonderful views. It has been newly renovated to include a boundary wall and a small pool for pilgrims.
Another popular attraction here is Sadhupul, a small village that was once home to an important bridge that has since collapsed. Today, there is a restaurant, several shops and activities here for tourists. The area surrounding the village is also very interesting and definitely worth a visit.
Resorts in Chail
There are many hotels and resorts in and around Chail although the number is much less than those at Shimla. To find the best hotel in Chail, you can research on the internet and look at different properties. Most good hotels have their own website and allow visitors to book hotels in Chail directly. Through their website, you can get the best hotel booking price in Chail.
Booking your hotel room directly saves on commissions paid to middlemen. These savings are then passed on to the consumer in the way of discounts and add-on benefits. Booking directly also minimizes chances of miscommunication and misunderstanding and gives you the best and most accurate information about hotel booking in Chail,
One good hotel in Chail is the Tarika Hotel and Resort. This is an exciting and different property that offers Domed Cottages for guests to stay in, These cottages have a glass front that allows residents to see the surroundings uninterrupted and up close. This feature alone makes it worth checking out.
The Tarika resort also offers a number of different types of accommodations like family cottages and interconnected cottages that are great for big groups or families who want to stay together. All in all, this is a recommended property that can be booked directly and offers reasonable rates.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Ans. The best way to book a Hotel room in Chail is to do some research on the Internet. Most good hotels have their own website and allow visitors to book directly. Booking your hotel room directly saves on commissions paid to middlemen. These savings are then passed on to the consumer in the way of discounts and add-on benefits. Booking directly also minimizes the chances of miscommunication and misunderstanding and gives you the best and most accurate information about the hotel.
Ans. One good hotel in Chail is the Tarika Hotel and Resort. This is an exciting and different property that offers Domed Cottages for guests to stay in, These cottages have a glass front that allows residents to see the surroundings uninterrupted and up close. This feature alone makes it worth checking out.
