Altitude : 932 mtrs.
Temperature : Cold in winter, warm in summer.
Best Season : Throughout the year
Clothing : (Summer/Winter) Cotton/Light Woollens

The district of Sirmour in the south eastern corner of the state, is noted for its places of pilgrimage and for the legends that surround them. Nahan (932 m), a historic town pleasantly located on a ridge of the Shivalik Hills, has an outlook over green forests and valleys with the Churdhar Peak (3,647m) dominating the scene.A little town with a salubrious climate, Nahan has gardens, temples and three popular walking circuits - the Villa Round, Military Round and the Hospital Round.

The Chaugan, a green maiden, is at the heart of the town. Nahan’s royal affiliations and the remains of its old capital, Sirmuri Tal, are to be seen in the sculpture that has been preserved at the Circuit House. Nahan is also famous for its Bawan Dwadashi Festival held every year in September.

Around Nahan

Saketi
The Shivalik Fossil Park is located at Saketi, at a site where fossils over 85 million years old have been found. Huge fiberglass models of various prehistoric animals, placed around the park , give it an added interest.(14Km)

Getting There & Away

Air
Nearest airport, Ambala.

Rail
Nearest railhead, Ambala.

Road
Accessible by road - 260 Km from Delhi and 142 Km from Shimla.

RENUKA
A placid lake set among green hills, a temple dedicated to the immortal Renuka and her son Parasuram and a tiny wildlife sanctuary, make Renuka, 45 Km from Nahan, a popular destination.

According to the legend, the sage Jamadagni, incensed with his wife Renuka, ordered his son Parasuram to cut off his mother’s head.

Parasuram, the obedient son, did so and the sage pleased with his son’s compliance granted him a boon. Parasuram asked immediately for his mother’s life, thereby ensuring her immortality. An annual fair is held in November each year to celebrate the event.

Around the lake is a little wildlife sanctuary the home of a variety of waterbirds, deer,red jungle fowl, black pheasant and peacock. Facilities are available for boating at the lake.

Places to see

Renuka Sanctuary
The lake and temples make Renuka a popular place of pilgrimage. Near by is the little wildlife sanctuary with its Lion Safari and Open Nature parks. A tourist bungalow and cafeteria cater to visitors.

Paonta Sahib
Located in the foothills, on the banks of the River Yamuna, along the Nahan-DehraDun road, Paonta Sahib is a bustling town. A serene gurdwara on the banks of the river is where the Guru Govinda Singh wrote a major part of the Dassam Granth.

The story goes, that the place acquired its name after the Guru had lost an ornament that he wore on his foot, known as the paonta. It is also said that the Yamuna flows without a ripple here because the Guru calmed its turbulent waters.

Paonta Sahib is an important place of pilgrimage for the Sikhs. They congregate here for the colourful fairs held in spring on the occasion of Baisakhi and Holi. There are also two Hindu temples dedicated to Rama and Krishna.

Simbalbara Sanctuary
Easily accessible, this picturesque sanctuary located in the Paonta Valley of Sirmour District, has dense forests with grassy glades and a perennial stream.

The Simbalbara forest rest house which is linked by a fair weather road to Puruwala, overlooks the valley, Ghoral, Sambhar and Chital are easily seen in the sanctuary with its fine walking trails. Winter is the best season for a visit.