Dolanji Bon Monastery is situated at Dolanji in the Sirmour District of Himachal Pradesh. If you are coming from Solan follow Rajgarh Road to Oachghat. A right turn goes towards Dolanji.
Bon Monastery is approx. 15 km from Solan, 5 km from Oachghat, and 9 km from Jatoli Shiva temple.
Jatoli Mahadev Temple is approx. 8 km from Solan City. We visited this temple after visiting the Shoolini Mata temple. A road nearby Shoolini Mata temple straight goes to Jatoli Shiva temple.
Do not forget to visit the cave on the left side of the entrance of this temple where Swami Krishanand Paramhans ji used to reside.
We started Royal Enfield Thunderbird motorbike at 8:15 am from Chandigarh and reached Shoolini Mata Temple, Solan at 10:30 am.
Directions from Chandigarh to Shoolini Mata temple, Solan
Chandigarh > Pinjore (27 km)
Pinjore > Dharampur (30 km)
Dharampur > Solan (18 km)
Solan > Shoolini Mata Temple (3 km)
The total distance from Chandigarh to Solan is 75 km approx.
Shoolini Mata Temple is 3 km from National Highway 22 at Solan.
We offered prayers and visited the nearby house of the temple priest to know The History of the Temple.
History as narrated by Ram Swaroop – priest of the temple:
Shoolini Mata Temple is a 200-250 years old temple and one of the prime attractions of Solan. The city of Solan derives its name from the Goddess Shoolini Devi.
Earlier there was Baghat State in Solan. A King came here from Dharanagri and established himself at Solan. He brought some idols which were installed in this temple.
This temple attracts a huge crowd during festival days, especially during the Shoolini Fair. In the last week of June month (Friday, Saturday, and Sunday) three days of festivals are held at Solan. It begins with the worship of the goddess Shoolini Mata. The Festival started with a colorful Shobha Yatra (procession) of Goddess Shoolini, taken out from the temple in a palanquin. The procession visits all over Solan city.
Shoolini Mata stays for two days at a temple nearby which is known as her sister’s place and on the third-day returns to her own temple. Shoolini Mata is five sisters.
The wrestling competition held at Thodo ground is one of the major attractions of the festival.
Note: Every second and fourth Sunday there is Bhandara at the temple premises starting from 12 noon.
Thank you – said I to the temple priest, and we re-started our journey towards Jatoli Shiv Temple and then to Bon Monastery.
Something Interesting to Read – This photo was taken during Solan to Kandaghat‘s journey via the Royal Enfield Thunderbird motorbike.
Ishar sweets at Jabli I have visited more than twice or thrice. Once while returning from Kasauli, I stopped to have Kulfi and Rasmalai. Kulfi was extraordinary. One is not enough for sure. You want more.
The second time while returning from Solan I stopped to taste Gazar ka Halwa (Rs. 40 per plate) and Gulab Jamun – hot and delicious.
Ishar Sweets is situated on National Highway 22 at Jabli, approx. 24 km from Kasauli and I guess approx. 10 km from Dharampur. If you are driving towards Shimla from Chandigarh or Pinjore the sweet shop is on the right-hand side. If you are driving from Kasauli, Dharampur, Solan, or Shimla it is on the left-hand side. Not only does it serve delicious Kulfi but it is also famous for its varieties of sweets and namkeen. Pakora, Samosa, and Kachori few more added attractions.
You must stop at Ishar Sweets in Jabli.
Chandigarh is 40-45 km away, I guess.
Giani Da Dhaba at Dharampur is approx. 56 km from Chandigarh/29 Km from Pinjore situated on the left side of National Highway 22 that goes to Shimla.
During our visit to Solan, while returning, we stopped at Giani Da Dhaba around evening hours. We requested Chicken Curry, Chana Curry, and Tandori Rotis. I like the food, especially the curry of the chicken. Later we had tea also.
The total amount we paid – 180 for Chicken Curry, 150 for Chana Curry, and 80 rupees for 8 Tandori Rotis. Tea cost – Rs. 10. Altogether we paid Rs. 451/-.
If you are visiting Kasauli, Dagshai, Solan, Shimla, or nearby tourist locations you should try to stop at this highway Dhaba for mouth-watering food.
Sanghol is approx. 36 km from Chandigarh towards Ludhiana. We started Royal Enfield Thunderbird motorbike at 3:00 pm and reached Sanghol at 4:00 pm. The Ancient Buddhist Stupa Site is on the left-hand side a little further from Mittran Da Dhaba.
An archaeological museum is nearby. The entry ticket is Rs. 10 for the museum visit.
The museum is closed on Mondays and on gazetted holidays.
Timings: 10:00 am – 4:45 pm.
चंडीगढ़ पर्यटन रोज़ गार्डन आपका स्वागत है
भारत के पूर्व राष्ट्रपति डॉ. जाकिर हुसैन के नाम पर इस उद्यान की स्थापना 1967 में चंडीगढ़ के प्रथम मुख्य आयुक्त, स्वर्गीय डॉ. एम.एस. रंधावा मार्गदर्शन में की गई थी। यह एशिया का सबसे बड़ा गुलाब उद्यान है और 40-25 एकड़ क्षेत्र में फैला हुआ है और इसमें गुलाब की लगभग 825 किस्मों के 32500 से अधिक पौधे हैं।
(English to Hindi Translation by Google Translate)