Solan

City in Himachal Pradesh, India Solan is a city in the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh and the district headquarters of Solan district. It is located 45.5 kilometres (28 mi) south of the state capital, Shimla. Solan has an average elevation of 1,550 metres (5,090 ft). The city is situated between Chandigarh and Shimla on the Kalka-Shimla National Highway-5. The narrow-gauge Kalka-Shimla railway passes through Solan. Located near the Punjab-Haryana-Himachal border, Solan is nestled in the Shivalik Hills of the Himalayas. Solan was originally the capital of the princely state, Baghat. A defining feature of Solan are its ancient temples and monasteries. The Shoolini Mata Temple and Jatoli Shiv Temple are popular tourist attractions. One of the most famous monasteries in this region is the Yundung Monastery. The hill-town is named after the Hindu goddess Shoolini Devi, which is a manifestation of another goddess, Durga, in her warrior aspect. Shoolini, when translated literally, means 'the goddess wielding the spear'. Every year in June, a fair venerating the Goddess is held, featuring a 3-day melā at the central Thodo Ground. Solan is known for the production of quality mushrooms, a