A prominent horticultural centre, Parwanoo is an important industrial town in the district of Solan in Himachal Pradesh 30 km north of Chandigarh.
The town is known for its beautiful orchards which add to the charm of the place. The fruits from these orchards are used to produce a number of products like juices and jams which contribute substantially to the economy of the town. Apples and peaches are some of the popular fruits that are grown in a huge quantity in Parwanoo.
The landscape of Parwanoo makes it an ideal destination for trekking and nature walks. The green cover consisting of fir and pine trees around the town accentuate Parwanoo’s beauty and also helps keep the weather pleasant.
The town offers a picturesque view of the Shivalik Hills. However, a ride on the cable car offers a panoramic view of the town and the surrounding countryside.
The town of Parwanoo is the entry point to reach Pinjore and Kasauli. Other places like Paonta Sahib and Renuka Lake, famous for being the largest natural lake in Himachal Pradesh, can be reached from Parwanoo.
Tourists also visit the army town of Dagshai, which is among the oldest British cantonments in the country. Parwanoo is famous for its fruit-based products like freshly made jams, marmalades and pickles. In addition to the conventional pickles the town is also popular for its meat based pickles.
Place to See
Subathu: Subathu is a cantonment area wherein the ruins of the historical Gurkha fort can be still found. The famous Gorkha Fort, also known as Arki Fort, is a prime attraction. It was the capital of the princely state of Baghal.
Pinjore: Pinjore is situated at the confluence of Kaushalya and Jhajjar Rivers at a distance of around 10 km from Parwanoo. Various ancient sculptures and antiquities have been found which date back to ninth century to 12th century. Mughal Gardens, also known as the Yadavindra Gardens, is a prominent attraction of the historic town.
Renuka Lake: The lake is well connected by road and lies in Sirmur district of Himachal Pradesh. With a circumference of 3214 m, Renuka Lake is the largest natural lake in Himachal Pradesh. The lake is regarded as the embodiment of goddess Renuka. Near the lake’s feet is another lake dedicated to her son, Parshuram. Both have temples built around them and the main temple to Renuka is regarded to have been built overnight in the 18th century.
How to Reach
By Air:Chandigarh is 30 km from Parwanoo. Flights connect Chandigarh to Delhi, Mumbai, Dharamsala, Bengaluru, Srinagar, Kolkata and Indore. Delhi (270 km) airport is the nearest international airport.
By Train:Kalka is the nearest railhead situated 5 km away. Major cities like Amritsar, Delhi, Kolkata and Mumbai are connected to Kalka by rail.
By Road:Parwanoo is well connected to Delhi and Chandigarh by road. Regular bus services connect both the cities with Parwanoo. Chandigarh is less than an hour’s drive away from Parwanoo while Delhi can be reached in four and a half hours.