Sirmaur district General information
Sirmaur is the most south-eastern district of Himachal Pradesh, India. It is largely mountainous and rural, with 90% of its population living in villages. The area is popular with tourists, particularly those on pilgrimages. It includes the towns of Nahan (its capital), Leu-nana,Sarahan and Paonta Sahib, as well as the Shivalik Fossil Park at Suketi, where fossils of over 85 million years old have been found. This district has a common border with Uttarakhand and Haryana. There are six Tehsils in this district namely Nahan, Paonta Sahib, Shilai, Rajgharh, Pachhad and Renuka. Sirmour is well known for its famous tourist place Renuka. Agriculture is the backbone of economy here. Farmers of Sirmour produce maximum potato and ginger in Asia. Tomato is also becoming choice for farmers these days. Village Lana-cheta is known for its fertile land and farmers here grow grains as first option.
Origin of the Name
About the origin of the name,”Sirmour” there are quite a few surmises. One view being that the state derived its name as Sirmour because of the senior position it held amongst the princely hill states. Another version is that at the earliest times the capital of the state was at Sirmour and the state was so called after the name of the capital. But,how the word Sirmour originated is not known. Third version being that the state was founded by Raja Rasaloo of Jaisalmer whose one of the ancestor’s name was Sirmour and who belonged to Rasaloo family. Beyond this, nothing definite is traceable.
Places of interest
Nahan
Nahan, founded by Raja Karam Parkash in 1621 AD, is presently the district headquarter of this district.It is situated at an altitude of 932 metres from the sea level. It enjoys a pleasant climate almost throughout the year. It has several famous temples and tanks which add considerably to its attraction. It has an ancient palace just in the heart of the town which has its own importance and attracts the tourists from outside the town. It commands on all sides extensive and beautiful views. The town's special attractions include its three lovely and lonely walks, known as the Villa Round, he Military Round and the Hospital Round, which give the touristsa very
pleasant view of the surrounding areas.Just below the palace is the beautiful garden known as Ranital Bagh which is one of the most beautiful spots of the town. From the tourist point of view this town has its own importance having all modern amenities with well furnished rest houses and other private accommodation.
Churdhar
THE enchanting Churdhar mountain in Sirmaur is one of the Shivalik ranges at a height of 11965 feet (it is the highest peak in southern Himachal Pradesh), Churdhar, commonly known as Churichandni (Bangle of Snow), is blessed with some of the most spectacular and beautiful landscapes in this region. The view from the summit embraces a vast panorama of lowland tracts towards the south and snow-capped ranges, including the peaks of Badrinath and Kedarnath in the Garhwal region, towards the north.
It is believed that this is the very place where Hanuman discovered the life-restoring Sanjivini booti, which revived Lakshmana, Lord
Rama’s younger brother. Ruins of an ancient town have been discovered at the nearby Dundi Devi.
A wealth of herbs and beautiful alpine flora cover these Himalayan slopes. Walking through the wildlife sanctuary, one spots the spectacular monal, Himachal’s state bird, along with koklass and kaleej pheasants. The canine-toothed musk deer and the endangered Himalayan black bear inhabit the higher forests.
Below the summit is the deodar-roofed, single-storeyed, square temple of Srigul with a lingam, dedicated to Shiva (Chooreshwar Mahadev). Pilgrims sing and dance at night during the Navratras fair in this ancient temple.
Trekkers tread over small glaciers on their way to the wind-blown Churdhar summit, which has moderate to heavy snowfall (average of 33 feet snow). Often the Srigul temple gets buried under it.
On a clear sunny day, you can be rewarded with a view of the Badrinath and Kedarnath shrines, Gangetic plains, the Sutlej river and hills of Shimla and Chakrata. Atop the Churdhar summit lie the lingams of Shiva and Kali, where once goat and sheep were sacrificed. Devotees hoist flags and make offerings here.
Jaitak Fort
The Jaitak hills is s historical place in the annals of Sirmour. It was here that the most important battle was fought between the British forces and the Gurkhas. Jaitak is the name applied to a peak, or rather two peaks. About 19 km to thenorth of Nahan, Jamta falls on the Nahan-Dadahu motorable road. An ascent of about 3 km has to be negotiated form Jamta to gain Jaitak. A hill fortress one crowned the Jaitak hill which is a steep ridge of slate and which rises above the Kayarda Dun, 30-36’ north and 77-24’ east, in the Nahan tehsil. The elevation above the sea level is about 1479 m. The fortress was constructed by Ranjor Singh Thapa, the Gurkha leader,
leader, when he attacked and sacked Nahan in about 1810. A small hamlet is the only remnant of old Jaitak. It commands a fine view of the Sain, Nahan and Dharthi hills. The famous Jaitak Khel of Kanets derives its name from this village.
Haripur Dhar
Haripur is the name applied to a mountain called Haripur Dhar. Perched on a peak of this hill like a silent sentinel, a fort was built on this range of mountain by the rulers of erstwhile Sirmour State. It was primarlily meant to guard the state frontiers with the neighbouring Jubbal State as there were constant boundary disputes between the two states and there was unusual encroachment into each others territory. It has fallen into disuse and the part which is still habitable is used by the Forest Department as forester’s headquarters. The fort reminds the visitor of thehistorical period when to hold or capture such forts used to be the chief aim of the conending hill states. Its main attraction is the wild game in its vicinity. Lying at a distance of about 106 km from Nahan it can be approached first by a regular bus service covering 40 km up to Dadahu wherefrom up to Andheri on e can go by a jeep for about 44 km. The remaining portion of about 22 km, which is under construction for a jeepable road, can be covered on foot or on ponies. The next and easier way to approach this place is from Solan via Rajgarh. Kharotiyon, a place from where the site of the fort remains about 2 km on the high hill top