The little settlement of Chail was once the ‘summer capital’ of the princely state of Patiala. This lies on a side road that leads off the Kalka-Shimla highway. Chail is built over three hills – the Palace Hotel (the former palace of the Maharaja) crowns Rajgarh Hill, the ‘Sidh Baba ka mandir’ is atop the Sidh Hill, while the third is Pandhewa Hill which holds the house of the one-time British Resident to Patiala. Chail’s famous cricket ground was built in 1893 after leveling out the top of a hill. This stands at 2444.4 meters (8019 feet) and is one of the highest cricket pitches and polo grounds in the world. Chail top 5 places to visit.
Chail’s well-known Military School uses this field as its playground. The Chail wildlife sanctuary was once the private hunting reserve of the Maharajas. Surrounded by valleys and forests, several easy walks can be done in and around Chail. Fishing is possible on the Giri river, at Gaura. All around are small farms and glasshouses with the latest and one of the more lucrative industries of the area, floriculture. As a destination, Chail is a small self-contained little place that offers good walks and drives, magnificent views, and is surrounded by woods.
Chail is a quiet hill station (44 km) close to Shimla, known for the world’s highest cricket ground and a heritage hotel, the Chail Palace. Surrounded by pine and deodar trees, Chail is situated at an altitude of 2,250 meters above sea level.
Tourists usually cover Shimla, Kufri, and Chail in a single trip and many Shimla packages offer the same. Chail is great for a day trip from Shimla as it takes only 2 hours to reach here by Mall Road. However, you can also stay at one of the resorts for a more complete experience. Solan, another important town is also situated at a distance of just 45 km from Chail.
The former summer capital of Patiala, Chail was built after the former Maharaja of Patiala was driven from Shimla by the former Maharaja (he had fled with the daughter of the then Commander-in-Chief of the British Army, Lord Kitchener). Since its inception in the year 1893, Chail has been a center of attraction for tourists looking to vacation with the beauty of the Shivalik ranges. Three hills – Pandewa, Rajgarh, and Sadh Tibba comprise the tourist town of Chail.
Chail also offers various trekking and camping options for adventure enthusiasts. Situated on the banks of river Sandhupul, Chail also offers various camping options along the river. Travelers can also visit the Chail Wildlife Sanctuary here.
Chail Palace (The Palace Hotel)
A Maharaja of Patiala found himself expelled from Shimla the ‘summer capital’ of British India for a dalliance with the Commander-in-Chief’s daughter. He moved to Chail, where the land already belonged to him. The first site that he chose for his palace had to be abandoned and he chose another position atop the Rajgarh hill. The top of the hill was leveled out and a splendid mansion was built.
Maharaja Bhupinder Singh and his successors used to spend a significant portion of the year at Chail – and their hospitality is recorded as magnificent. Many of the cottages surrounding the Palace were the residences of Patiala’s ministers, senior officers, and aides. In 1972, the property set in about seventy-five acres of land – including peripheral cottages, woods, sport, and recreation facilities – like the tennis courts – and even an orchard, passed into the hands of Himachal Tourism. This is now the Palace Hotel.
Maharaja Bhupinder Singh and his successors used to spend a significant portion of the year at Chail – and their hospitality is recorded as magnificent. Many of the cottages surrounding the Palace were the residences of Patiala’s ministers, senior officers, and aides. In 1972, the property set in about seventy-five acres of land – including peripheral cottages, woods, sport, and recreation facilities – like the tennis courts – and even an orchard, passed into the hands of Himachal Tourism. This is now the Palace Hotel.
Polo and Cricket Ground, the MES bungalow, and Military School
One of Chail’s famous landmarks, without any significant structure on it, is the polo and cricket ground. This was built in 1893 after leveling out the top of a hill. At 2444.4 meters (8019 feet) this is the highest cricket pitch and polo ground in the world – though it has its share of challenges. The label, ‘highest’ is at times applied to other places as competitive cricket is no longer played here and some polo grounds in Afghanistan and Ladakh claim a greater altitude. Polo too has not been played on this field for several years. Be that as it may, Maharaja Bhupinder Singh was an avid cricket player, and the teams that have played here, have included the MCC. Bhupinder Singh was not averse to a spot of fun at cricket too. This once included a match with all the players dressed as women. The Maharaja took the crease in the nun’s black habit – sporting an equally black beard.
Wildlife Sanctuary
The Chail wildlife sanctuary was once the private hunting reserve of the Maharajas of Patiala and on 21 March 1976, was notified as a sanctuary. With altitudes ranging between 701meters ( 2300 feet) to 2,180 meters (7152 feet), the sanctuary has an area of approximately 11, 000 hectares (approximately a hundred square kilometers) and includes the town of Chail and several surrounding villages. The sanctuary has a variety of wildlife that include the rhesus macaque, leopards, the Himalayan black bear, the crested porcupine, the wild boar, the common langur, hares, ‘ghoral’, ‘Kakkar’, ‘sambhar’, red jungle fowl, flying squirrels, and the ‘khalij’ and ‘cheer’ pheasants. Decades back, a herd of European red deer was also introduced by the maharajas in the area. By the gate of the Sanctuary is a small breeding and rehabilitation center for pheasants.
Kali ka Tibba
Effortlessly beautiful, Kali Ka Tibba in Chail is perched atop mountain Blossom making for a very pretty picture. Dedicated to the goddess Kali this secluded destination is the perfect getaway to attain that peace and quiet away from the throngs of tourists and it is one of the best places to visit in Chail.
Trekking up to this serene location is a fun activity and you can encounter various species of animals on your way up. Angling and horse riding is also very popular near Kali ka Tibba. Stunning views and beautiful scenery of the Shivalik Range and the Choor Chandni peak are breathtaking from Kali ka Tibba.
Sidh Baba ka Mandir
When the Maharaja of Patiala was expelled from Shimla, the ‘summer capital of British India, he began scouring the hills for capital of his own. When he selected Chail as his own ‘summer capital’, the site he picked for his palace was the one where the Sidh Baba ka Mandir (the ‘True Sage’s Temple), now stands. But an ill omen seemed to hang over the construction area. According to local legend, the moment anything was built, it would collapse overnight. A sidh, sage appeared before the Maharaja in a dream and declared that the site the Maharaja had chosen was where he had meditated till he was taken by the earth – and that his peace should not be disturbed. The Maharaja moved the position of his palace to another site and at the original place, he had a temple to the sidh built.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Places To Visit In Chail
Q – What is Chail famous for?
A – Chail is a serene hamlet located in Himachal Pradesh. The place is known for its exquisite beauty and exclusive sites. The place is home to the highest cricket stadium.
Q – Is Chail worth visiting?
A – Chail is definitely worth visiting all year round. It experiences pleasant weather and is the home to some of the most beautiful temples, palaces, and wildlife parks.
Q – Is there snowfall in Chail?
A – Yes, Chail experiences snowfall during winter months. Snowfall in Chail during December, January, and February is a common occurrence.
Q – What can we do in Chail?
A – There are numerous interesting activities to indulge in Chail. Some of the things to do in Chail are camping, photography, nature walks, hiking, rock climbing, and trekking.
Q – How far is Kufri from Chail?
A – Kufri and Chail are 32 km apart. Both the places are well-connected by road.
Q – How do I get to Chail?
The best way to reach Chail is by hiring a taxi or self-drive. One can also take a bus from Chandigarh or Shimla to reach Chail.
Q – What is the best time to visit Chail to witness snowfall?
A – The best time to visit Chail in order to witness snowfall is during the winter season, between the months of October and March. During this time, the temperature in Chail remains extremely low, and the entire region is covered in a thick layer of snow.
Q – What is the best time to visit Chail for a honeymoon?
A – The best time to visit Chail for a leisurely honeymoon is during the summer months, between March to June. During this time, the temperature generally remains on the higher side, and the weather remains cool and pleasant.
Q – Which month is best to visit Chail?
A – The best month to visit Chail is during April, which is the peak summertime. During this time, the hiker’s paradise experiences a pleasant climate with minimum rainfall. The natural vegetation is also in full bloom during this time.
Q – Is December a good time to visit Chail?
A – If you’re interested in witnessing snowfall, then December is the ideal time to visit Chai. However, if you wish to avoid frigid weather, then it is best to avoid the hill station during this month.
