Nestling in the shelter of virgin forests which cover many untoddle hills, Chail is a tiny resort in the shiwalik region of Himachal Pradesh, Chail has interesting history. Originally, it was a part of Keonthal State. Then it came under the sway of the Gorkha warrior Amar Singh. Finally it became a royal resort and summer seat of Maharaja of Patiala. The story behind the rise of Chail as the summer seat of Patiala state is quite interesting.

The year was 1891. Maharaja Bhupinder Singh of Patiala incurred the wrath of the Commander-in-Chief, Lord Kitchener, who banned his entry into the British summer capital of Shimla. Enraged, the Maharja resolved to build himself a new summer capital better than Shimla. The British Government had already gifted him Chail.

The present Chail is spread over an area of 72 acres on three adjacent hills-the Rajgarh Hill where the Palace is built, the Pandava Hill where the old Residency 'Snow View' is located and where the British Resident lived, and finally the Siddh Tibba, where the temple of Baba Sidhnath is located at a height of 2226 ft.

How to Get There :

Chail is connected by road, From Shimla via Kufri the distance is 45 km and via Kandaghat this is 61 km. Kalka is 86 km away. Regular buses for Chail leave from Shimla, Chandigarh and Delhi. The closest airports are at Chandigarh (120km) and Shimla (63km). HPTDC also organises sight-seeing tours from marketing office Shimla to Chail.

Climate

In winter the temperature can drop below freezing point when heavy woollens are required. In summer the climate is mild and light woolens/cottons are recommended.

Places of Interest in and around Chail

Sldh Bdbo KG AAondir (1.5 km) : Maharaja Bhupinder Singh orginally began building his Palace at this site. It is said that a "Sidh" saintly person appeared before the Maharaja in a dream and declared that this was the place where he had meditated, Bhupinder Singh shifted his Palace and also had this temple built.

Cricket Ground (3 km) :
Built in 1 893, after leveling the top of hill, this stands at 2444m and is the highest cricket pitch and polo ground in the world.

Wildlife (3km):
The Chail Sanctuary has "Choral", "Kakkar, "Sambhar" red jungle fowl and "Khalij" and "Cheer" pheasants. Machan-like sighting posts have been built near blossom and at Khariun.

Sadhupul
(1 360 m) : Halfway between Kandaghat (12 km) and Chail is this village and bridge astride the Ashwani stream. A good picnic spot.