Visiting Chail, The hill Station Created by the Maharajah of Patiala
India is home to the tallest mountain range in the world, the Himalayas. in the lower reaches of these mighty mountains are a string of hill stations. These were all created by the British for their own comfort, but now are a source of great fun and joy. The famous hill stations are Simla( summer capital during the days of the Raj), Dalhousie, Nahan, Nainital, Mussoorie, Ranikhet( home of the Garhwal Rifles), Darjeeling and Shillong( in the eastern foot hills). However there is one hillstation that is not so well known, but is I feel the most picturesque of them all. This is Chail, a hill station created by maharajah Bhupinder Singh and his father Devendra Singh of Patiala. Chail is located on an adjacent peak to Simla and is at a altitude of almost 8000 ft above msl.
Legend tells us that the Maharajah for reasons best known to Lord Kitchener, the C in C India had banned the entry of the maharajah to Simla. it was rumored that this exile from Simla was in response to maharajah's seduction of an english girl and her subsequent elopement with him. Rumor grills relate that she was the daughter of Lord Kitchener. Whether true or not is immaterial, for the result was that the maharajah decided to have his own hill station and thus Chail on an adjacent peak to Simla was created. at the turn of the last century.
The maharajah also built a palace there and that is now a hotel and tourists can book and stay at this hotel, which is 5 star deluxe. Its most ornate rooms are the bedrooms where the maharajah and his queen the maharani slept.They are the last word in luxury.
Maharajah Bhupinder Singh was also an avid cricketer and at one time was slated to lead India against the MCC in 1936, but ill health made him scratch from the tour. His love for cricket is manifest in a lovely cricket ground which is the highest in the world. it's great fun to play here.
Chail is as yet untouched and forests and glades abound. This is the place to have long walks and treks in the pristine forests and hills of the lower himalayas.It can be an enjoyable holiday, even in winter when the entire area is covered by a blanket of snow.
Cheaper accommodation is available at the Himachal pradesh tourism hotel. There are a few other hotels as well. Reaching Chail is easy and one can take a bus or taxi from Chandigarh and the drive up will take about 3 hours.
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