Salooni: The Realm of Tranquility
Salooni is the Tehsil headquarters and Sub-Division in Chamba District of Himachal Pradesh, India. Having snow clad mountain peaks and dense forests, Salooni valley has aesthetic landscapes. One can spend time in the lap of nature while visiting Salooni Valley. The entrance to the small township has series of a few quaint shops, followed by small ground with an ancient goddess Kali temple at other end. The town is surrounded by places of interest and special lookout points, commanding panoramic views on all sides. The last snow range is Dhauladhar running parallel to the Pir Panjal, south of it. A smaller and more or less continuous range about 2,000 meters high runs south of the snowy ranges, Salooni, at a height of 1829 meters and 56 km from Chamba, offers a breathtaking panoramic view of the snow-covered hills and peaks. Situated at the top of a ridge and opening into the Bhandal Valley, this scenic spot of great beauty leads also to Bhaderwah. Salooni has also been featured in many Bollywood movies.
The valley is surrounded by Coniferous, Deciduous and Temperate forests. The valley welcomes you with a cool breeze from snowy Dhauladhars all year round. The roads make the drive cool with trees surrounding both sides. The breeze from deodar and spruce trees cool the valley which makes the climate pleasant even in the hot and humid months of May and June. You can always escape from hot summers here with numerous natural picnic and camping spots. With several home stays. A weekend stay is must in the valley which lets you enjoy the dawn with a cool breeze sipping a hot cup of coffee. Even in the remotest of places, you can find small villages with a little population. The people of valley rely on natural resources for their daily activities, thus you can find the valley rich with natural flora and fauna. The chirping of birds in the forest will give you the contentedness of being in nature’s lap away from noise and pollution.
Salooni valley in Chamba District is surrounded by places of interest to the enterprising tourist and special look-out points, commanding panoramic views abound on all sides. The last snow range is Dhaula Dhar running parallel to the Pir Panjal, south of it. Both these ranges enclose the attraction of Salooni, at a height of 1829 meters and 56 KM from Chamba, offers a breath – taking panoramic view of the snow covered hills and peaks Of Pir-panjal and Dhaula Dhar. Salooni Valley has a great potential of Tourism. The local administration is marching on sound footing in this direction. So many places worth watching are being developed as the prime spots for tourist adventures. There are so many trekking routes where the youth of the state as well as from outside the state would like to enjoy during their visit to the area.
Salooni has five distinct seasons and they are summer, monsoon, autumn, winter and spring. The summer season in Salooni starts in April and ends in last week of June. During this period, the temperature varies from 38 °C to 15 °C.
GEOGRAPHY
. Consequently, the days are rather warm and the nights are pleasantly cold. While light cotton clothes are ideal for day time one may require slightly warmer clothes at night. The monsoon here starts in the month of July and continues till mid September. With greenery all around the valley looks at its best during this period. Autumn comes after the monsoon and generally lasts up to the November.
During that period, the weather remains thoroughly enjoyable. The winter in Salooni sets in December and lasts until February. During this period the maximum temperature hovers around 15°C and the minimum may reach well below zero degrees. Because of its high elevation, the valley witnesses snowfall every winter multiple times sometimes even during early weeks of spring. After winter, the valley enjoys a brief spring. From the month of April, the temperature begins to rise and summer season sets in once more.
Salooni according to one version is believed to be an abridged form of “Sailani” (Tourist) who frequented the place since the Monarchy. Other legends describe it as because of her beauty, the place was called “Saloni” which in English meant attractive and charming. Saloni, therefore is the origin of Salooni. The second version seems appropriate keeping in view the enchanting landscapes and tourist spots which are attracting the tourists during rainy season especially. Throughout the history, Salooni has been observed to be a tourist spot since the monarchs ruled the area. Even during British rule, this area adjoining Dalhousie with similar flora and fauna was famous for lush greenery and ecstatic views which attracted many tourists. Bhandal Valley adjoining Jammu and Kashmir UT was believed to be the bone of contention between kings of Jammu and Chamba.
Salooni a part of Chamba is the only Princely state in Northern India to preserve a well-documented history from 500 A.D. Its high mountain ranges have given it a sheltered position and helped in preserving its centuries old relics and numerous inscriptions.
HISTORY
The temples erected by monarchs of Chamba more than a thousand years age continue to be under worship and the land grant-deeds executed on copper plates by them continue to be valid under the law.
Regarding the early history of this region it is believed that this area was at time inhabited by certain Kolian tribes, which were later, subjugated by the Khasas. The Khasas too after a time came under the sway of Audumbaras (2nd century B.C.). The Audmabaras had republican form of government and worshiped Shiva as their principal deity. From the Gupta period (4th Centaury A.D.) the Chamba region was under the control of Thakurs and Ranas who considered themselves superior to the low tribes of Kolis and Khasas. With the rise of Gurjara Pratiharas ((7th Centaury A.D.) the Rajput Dynasties came to power. Since then, the region has been under the rule of Rajput dynasties until Britishers came into power. Post Indian independence, on 15th April 1948 merging three principal states formed old Himachal : Chamba, Mandi-Suket, Sirmour and all the other state falling in Shimla hills. Since then Salooni has been an inseparable part of Chamba.
The area is inhabited by local Pahari people who are the dwellers of the area since generations. No sign of migration from this area or to this area have been found in the history of the area. It is believed that some Gaddis (Nomads) had immigrated to this area from Bharmour a Tribal belt of Chamba district to escape from hard life of that area. The chief occupation of these nomads is rearing sheep and goat. The other people who are believed to be the original residents of the area are very simple and traditional. Their main attire is traditional Pahari comprising of desi woollen clothes which are woven at home. The women of the area use spinning wheel to spin the wool. The clothes are woven on local handlooms called “Khaddi”. The cloth thus prepared is patty or Patti. Woven with sheep wool, locally made blankets named “Chaddar” or “Farrad”. The blankets are known to be quite warm and aesthetic.
INHABITANTS
The present day, Salooni is inhabited by people of a varied castes and religions. Most of whom have settled here eons before Indian Independence. Due to its rich flora and fauna the people of Salooni have been self sufficient in earning their daily bread. It was only recently, the dwellers have been attracted to cities in search of better jobs and money. Many have resorted to horticulture as their prime profession. Due to its hilly terrains, we can find many horses/mules for transporting goods to remote areas where roads cannot be accessed. The villages in this valley are considerably smaller in population as compared to their counterparts in plain areas of Punjab and Haryana. Throughout the valley small pockets of villages surrounded by thick forests can be observed, which are generally nearer to the owned lands. Due to its hilly terrain, tractors and cultivators are a rare sight, so, we can find cattle in almost every house.