Trisha Shetty (Editor)

Salooni

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Country
  
India

District
  
Chamba

PIN
  
176320

Elevation
  
1,829 m

State
  
Himachal Pradesh

Time zone
  
IST (UTC+5:30)

Telephone code
  
01896

Area code
  
01896

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Salooni (Hindi: सलूणी) is the tehsil headquarter and Sub-Division in Chamba district of Himachal Pradesh, India. Salooni is an important regional administrative and economic centre. It has a mini secretariat, SDM office, government senior secondary school, Degree College, community health centre and many other sub-division level important government offices. Salooni falls under Dalhousie legislative constituency. The entrance to the small township has a series of few quaint shops, followed by small ground with an ancient goddess Kali temple at other end.

Contents

Map of Salooni, Himachal Pradesh 176320

History

Salooni according to one version is believed to be a corrupt form of "Sailani" (tourist) who frequented the place since the time of the rajas. Other versions says because of its beauty, the place was called "Saloni" which in English meant attractive and charming. Saloni, therefore, is the origin of Salooni.

Geography

Chamba is very attractive full of many beautiful places and valleys. It is wholly mountainous with few plain valleys in between two mountain ranges and alongside rivers. The last snowy range is Dhauladhar. The river Ravi rises from snow peaks of Bara Bhangal in Dhauladhar range a range of 2000 meters height run south of snow range. On this range lies Salooni town on the top of a hill at the height of 1829 and 56 km from Chamba and offers a breath taking panoramic view of snow covered peaks. Situated at the top of a ridge and opening into the Bhandal valley, this scenic spot of great beauty leads also to Bhadarwah (J&k). Salooni is famous for its view of the Pir Panjal Range, one can behold a crystal clear view of this range which is usually snow-capped all around the year. It has a population of about 2000 and lies at a height of 1829 to 2600 meters.

Physical features

Salooni, at a height of 1829 meters and 56 km from Chamba, offers a panoramic view of the snow-covered hills and peaks. It is of course, the captivating landscape around Chamba that completes the picture. It all begins with a range of about 7,000 feet between the Pir Panjal and the Dhauladhar and a place called Salooni. Salooni is a vantage point for some of the finest views in this kaleidoscopic topography. It stares into the picturesque Bhandal valley. This pleasant place links Chamba with Kashmir valley. The Salooni is also famous for its Apple Orchards, vegetables and toughest roads.

  • Bhandal Valley (1,730 m) (trek to Kishtwar J&k)

    • The beautiful Bhandal Valley with its wealth of wildlife is at the western extremity of Himachal Pradesh. Approachable from Chamba, it is the base for a trek route that connects Chamba to the Kishtwar region of Jammu and Kashmir over the Dagni Dhar. The route begins along the right bank of the River Ravi, goes past Pukhri, down to the Siyul stream, then rises to Salooni on the Prithvi Jor ridge to finally arrive above the valley. From Bhandal via Langhera one reaches Kishtwar J&K. The highest point on the track is the Padri Gali at 3,200m.

  • Salooni has also been featured in many Bollywood movies such as Badhaai Ho Badhaai, Vinashak – Destroyer and Dor.

    • Tourist sites

  • The Gamgul Siahbehi Wildlife Sanctuary lies 20 km from Salooni with Musk deer, Barking deer, Snow Leopards, Himalayas tahr, Pheasants, Rabbits and large species of fauna and colourful birds. It lies at an average height of 1800 to 2800m. It has an area of 109 kilometers square.
  • Jujurana (Western tragopan) Population Distribution. Five populations are known from Kohistan, Kaghan valley, Kishtwar, Chamba, Kullu and an area east of the Satluj river. They are found from an altitude of 1,750 to 3,600 m, going higher in summer. Their preferred habitat is the dense understorey of temperate, subalpine and broad-leaved forest. In Salooni Western tragopan found at Gamgul Sanctuary and nearby places.
  • Snow leopards are also spotted here on high altitude.
  • Baira Siul is a hydropower project on the riverbank in Surgani. It is the first project of the NHPC in India and produces 180 megawatts of electricity.
  • Taleru boating point is the only boating spot in the locality. Boating is done on the lake formed by Chamera Dam.
  • Bhalei Mata Temple, situated 28 km from Salooni toward Dalhousie, is an ancient temple with a portrait of Kali Mata. It also is surrounded by panoramic views.
  • Saach Pass is about 107 kms from salooni via surgani and 80 kms via himgari.
  • Padri Pass joining Bhandal valley of Salooni to Bhaderwah valley of Jammu & Kashmir is at a distance of 45kms from Salooni.

    • Rest house

    There are number of rest houses in locality, run by HPPWD, IPH Department and Forest Department. The HPPWD rest house in Salooni is constructed way back in 1908. It is beautifully built, surrounded by deodar trees. Salooni has quite a few other rest houses owned by IPH Department and various other government departments. Other nearby rest houses are in Kihar, Sundala, Dhargala, Bhandal, Himgiri and Diur.

    Climate

    There is snowfall between December and March, when temperatures may fall down to -9 degree Celsius in some areas of salooni. In summers temperatures seldom crosses 29 degree Celsius. Weather throughout the year is pleasant. Annual rainfall is 1490 mm.

    Transport

    Salooni is well connected to Chamba by road. It also has a helipad.

    References

    Salooni Wikipedia
    (Text) CC BY-SA


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