Shoolini Fair, Solan

Shoolini Fair, Solan The Shoolini fair is held in the month of June and it  is a three-day event that attracts thousands of tourists, pilgrims, traders, rural sports players and others to Solan. A highlight of the fair is the procession where the idol deity is carried around the town in a palanquin. Devotees sing and dance in elation. The Goddess Maa Shoolini halts at her sister's place for three days and then returns to her own domicile.  The return journey of the Goddess to her own temple is celebrated on the last day of Shoolini Mela with even more pomp and grandeur. Solan is situated on the Chandigarh – Shimla highway. Shoolini Devi, an incarnation of Goddess Durga, is housed in a hill top temple and is the presiding deity of the region. In fact it’s after Shoolini Mata that Solan is named. The main fair is held at the Thodo Ground that tourists and natives attend in large numbers. During the fair cultural programmes, exhibition stalls, sports activities etc. are organized.  Getting there: Solan can be easily reached by road and train. It is 68 km from Chandigarh and 45 km from Shimla. The narrow gauge heritage Kalka-Shimla train passes through Solan. The nearest airports are at Shimla / Chandigarh. Places to stay: Close to Solan at Barog, Himachal Tourism operates Hotel ‘Pinewood’, a quiet place for a comfortable stay. There are many private hotels, suiting all budgets, available at Solan.