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Situated
at an altitude of 1,425 metres on Kalka-
Shimla highway,
Kandaghat suddenly shot into prominence when late Maharaja Bhupinder
Singh, the ruler of Patiala State was expelled from Shimla. Maharaja
Bhupinder Singh built his first palace at Kandaghat known as "Chail
View Palace", which is presently housing the Government Polytechnic
College for Women. At that time businessmen, Laurites, Physicians and
other people from almost a ll spheres of life were pulled out from Patiala
with attractive incentives and were given all possible facilities to
settle down at Kandaghat, Chail and around it.
Later in the pre-independence days Kandaghat was called "Kohistan
District," it was the seat of the Deputy Commissioner and was also
the "Summer Capital" of the Princely State of Patiala. After
independence it was called "Pepsu". According to the "Reader's
Digest World Atlas" the name of Kandaghat "A Micro Dot in
History" is imprinted in bold letters.
PALACES
Chail View Palace: Though, now a college for women, the personal
chambers of the Maharaja are still maintained in the pristine glory and
magnificence and can be viewed by any visitor.
TEMPLES
Shiva Temples: One with a religious and archeological bent of mind
can visit the temple of Lord Shiva. Folklore dates this temple to about
350-400 years ago. Though in between it was repaired and restructured by
his highness Maharaja Bhupinder Singh of Patiala.
OTHERS
Karol Ranges: The highest in the region, these ranges house a
historical Krishna temple at the inception of a cave, which was supposedly
dug by the legendary Pandavs. How deep the cave runs is just a guess.
Folklore says that this cave ultimately emerges at Pinjore near the
historical Mughal Gardens.
Baba Thada Mulla: About half a kilometer trek downhill takes you
to a local deity "The Baba Thada Mulla" where women are not
permitted to worship. One can also witness a magnificent waterfall
approximately 250-feet high. It is said, that wishes are fulfilled in
exactly seven days and of course a sacrifice of a black goat is essential
as thanksgiving. Residential hotels and eating-places are innumerable at
this place.
Air: Jubbar Hatti is the nearest airport is about
80-km from Chail
Rail: Nearest railhead is Kandaghat 29-km from Chail on narrow
gauge line.
Road: Chail is 29-km from Kandaghat, 61-km from Shimla via
Kandaghat and 43-km via Kufri.
The best accommodation option is Kairighat's HPTDC Tourist Inn. There are also few reasonable inns and guesthouses available at Kandaghat.