Chail Gurudwara

It was in the year 1907 that Chail Gurudwara of Solan district in Himachal Pradesh state was built. This Gurudwara or Sikh temple has been welcoming large number of devotees from the state and the nearby areas since its establishment more than a century ago. Philanthropist rulers of that era built this Gurudwara with a purpose to highlight the roles of Sikh religious leaders and contribution of this religion in the human history.

History

Soon after the formation of Chail Gurudwara in Solan, it was dedicated to masses to know the value of Sikhism as a religion. The then Maharaja of Patiala, Bhupinder Singh had built this Gurudwara for the masses of undivided Punjab state. Once the state was divided and Himachal Pradesh was carved out from Punjab state, the Sikh temple eventually came under the new state of Himachal Pradesh. The government therefore controlled it for smooth operation.

Coming under the control of the Department of Art & Culture affairs of Himachal Pradesh state, Chail Gurudwara in Solan welcomes good number of devotees today. In fact this Sikh temple has emerged into one of the prominent Sikh shrines in this region. An important factor that seeks attention here is that due to the meager Sikh population in this particular region this Gurudwara had started losing patronization over the decades. Its condition has indeed deteriorated over the period.

Architecture and Covered Area

Chail Gurudwara in Solan describes architectural beauty of a golden era. It is a part of the Chail heritage and remains one of the famous monuments whose importance has not gone down. The covered area of this Sikh temple seek attention of the large chunk of visitors ever since a local organization Chail Heritage Foundation took the initiative to support the renovation of this architectural beauty.

Today's Chail Gurudwara in Solan has once again become the center of attention due to the key steps taken under the plan to renovate it prior to celebrate its hundred years of existence. The centenary year celebration was in the year 2007. In fact Chail Gurudwara has been completely refurbished and attracts good number of worshippers today. Interestingly, the original architecture of Chail Gurudwara is very much like a church that has been well preserved in an attempt to save notable historical monuments in the country.

Managed by a team under the state government, Chail Gurudwara maintains proper system in welcoming devotees. Though it is located in a small location but receives comparatively lesser number of devotees its historic importance remains towering. Visitors usually comprise of locals, tourists and last but not the least a section of cadets from Military School nearby are regular visitors of Chail Gurudwara in Solan. It has been organized for systematic operation for which an officially approved Gurudwara Management Committee has been established.

Celebrations

Prominent festivals celebrated are famous Lavi Fair, Baisakhi, Sipi Fair, Shimla Summer Festival and Bhoj Fair amongst others are key attractions. The devotees also involve in multiple other activities inside Chail Gurudwara in Solan.

Visitors info

Best time to visit

May to October is the most suitable period to visit Chail as devotees.

Traveling To Chail

Chail Gurudwara in Solan is located in a place known to everybody in this region.

By Road

Distance between Chail Gurudwara in Solan and main Chail Bus Station is mere 200 meters so travellers travelling by road find it easy to arrive from any part of state.

By Air

Jubbar Hati Domestic Airport is the nearest airport that connects Chail with rest of the cities through airways at a distance of 63 kilometers. Connecting flights operate from this airport to link with Delhi and Chandigarh.

By Rail

The Kalka-Shimla track of Indian railways connected through the toy train is an amazing attraction here. Kandaghat is a major railway station nearby that links Chail with the railways.

Services

Chail Gurudwara in Solan runs a dormitory with some guest rooms to ensure that the visitors arriving from other parts of the state and country can be provided free accommodation during their visits. This Gurudwara also runs a Langar hall where food is served to the devotees.