Barog is a hill station based in the Solan district of Himachal Pradesh in India. Notably, this hill station is on a famous UNESCO World Heritage site, the Kalka – Shimla Railway and is about 60 Km from Chandigarh and 40 Km from Shimla. Historically, the place gets its name after Colonel Barog, a British engineer who started the work of building a tunnel in the Kalka Shimla railway. Present at 5110 ft, the natural beauty of Barog remains untampered despite all modernisations. Apart from trekking and camping, There are several other things to do in Barog, like sightseeing and more.
Things To Do In Barog
There are several things to do in Barog after you reach there. The following are some of the suggestions that could make your trip truly worth the travel:
1. Explore The Grave Of Barog
Photo: Bill Boaden / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
Colonel Barog was tasked with building a tunnel in the region by the British Empire. As was the norm he started digging the tunnel from both ends to hasten the process but the ends failed to meet each other due to some miscalculations. This angered the top brass and Barog was demoted and fined. Unable to bear this dishonour, he committed suicide and was buried near his incomplete tunnel (tunnel no.33). The place is about 2 Km from the Barog railway station.
Trip duration: 1 – 2 hours
Transport Options: Cab, bus, walk or trek after reaching Barog railway station
Distance From Shimla: 51 Km
Suggested Read: The Best Things To Do In Kullu
2. Dolanji Bon Monastery
Photo: Mayor mt / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
This magnificent monastery was built in 1969 by Abbott Lungtok Tengpai Nyima and since then it has been the pinnacle of Tibetan culture in Himachal Pradesh. If you visit Barog, this place is only an hour away and is just 5 Km by the Narag – Sarahan Road. Also known as the Yungdrung Monastery, this place houses about 120 monks. Apart from the aesthetic appeal of the place, it is famous for its Bon Dance performed during the New Year and other such occasions.
Trip duration: 2 hours – 3 hours
Transport Options: Car or taxi
Best Time To Visit: The best time to go there is February to November
3. Jatoli
Photo: Pankajkukreti03 / Wikimedia Commons
Jatoli has an ancient temple dedicated to Mahadev but that’s not the entire catch! It is also the highest temple in Asia and is just about 15 Km from Barog. Every year during the Mahashivratri, there is an annual fair around the temple premises that could be an experience of a lifetime. The temple is adorned with old architecture and interior decorations that will take you to a different era! The morning prayer with soulful chanting will fill your heart with devotion. This is one of the unmissable things to do in Barog.
Time Of The Aarti: 6 AM – 7 PM
Transport Options: Car or taxi
The Best Time To Visit: In between 4 AM – 8 PM & any day when devotion calls!
Suggested Read: Explore the Charm of Hadimba Temple
4. Choor Chandni Peak
Photo: Sunil Sharma / Wikimedia Commons
One of the most important things to do in Barog is to go to the Choordhar mountains and explore the Choor Chandni peak at night. The silver lining of the moonlight illuminates the mountain like some otherworldly wonder. Truly, nature is strange! Located in the Sirmour district that is about 72 Km away from Barog, this is a fantastic trekking option with the trekking route spanning about 15 to 40 Km based on your starting point to the peak. The peak which is about 12000 feet above the sea level is snow-covered throughout the year.
Best Time To Visit: March to May & October to November
Nearby Attractions: Churdhar temple, Kandrour Bridge
5. Suketi Fossil Park
Photo: Vjdchauhan / Wikimedia Commons
Situated at the banks of the Markanda River, this colossal park is the first Asian park built at the site where fossils were found. Inside this park, there are models of the already extinct giant elephant, Sabre-toothed tiger & giant land tortoise. You will also find many prehistoric animals as old as 8.5 million years old, made of fibreglass apart from various fossils. There is also a museum which tells the story behind each of these entities that once ruled the earth.
Daily Timing: 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Distance From Barog: 237 Km ( by car)
Best Time To Visit: February to December
Suggested Read: Discover The Best Places To Visit In Himachal In March
6. Karol Tibba
About 16 km away from Barog, Karol Tibba has a Kali temple located on a hill amidst the pine forests. To reach here you have to trek which will usually last for 2 to 3 hours. But the journey will truly be worth the effort, as you finally get to see the beautiful temple and the entire Solan village. Atop the ridge, where the temple is located, you will get an eagle view of the entire village present beneath the hill.
Timing: 8 AM – 6 PM
Distance From Barog: 11 Km followed by a 3 hours trek amid the rocks and trees
Best Time To Visit: From the months of April to June & September to December
7. Pandava Cave In Karol Tibba
Photo: Prashast1995 / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
This cave will come up on your way to the temple and in fact the Karol Tibba is well known for this. Legend has it that the Pandavas had resorted to refuge in this cave for a few days before the Battle of Kurukshetra. Also, the Pandava cave is the longest in Himachal Pradesh connecting Karol to Pinjore.
Timing: 8 in the morning to 6 in the evening
Distance From Barog: 11 Km
Best Time To Visit: From the months of April to June & September to December
Suggested Read: Best Places To Visit In Barot Valley For Your Next Crazy Trip
8. Colonial Town Of Dagshai
Photo: Pankajkukreti03 / Wikimedia Commons
This old cantonment town, in fact, one of the oldest, is of great significance to the colonial history of India. There used to be a prison during British rule where every prisoner was imprinted on his head and thus the name of the town was “Dagshai”. The central jail that used to hold these prisoners still exists today and has been transformed into a memorial. Apart from that, the town has a church from the British era, the Saint Patrick’s Roman Catholic Church, which is worth exploring.
Distance From Barog: 10 Km
Best Time To Visit: From the months of March to May & October to November
Timing: 9:30 AM – 7:30 PM
9. Shoolini Devi Temple
Photo: Bhanu Sharma Solan / Wikimedia Commons
Dedicated to Ma Durga, the great Hindu Goddess, this ancient temple is just 8 Km from Barog. During June, the Shoolini fair is celebrated, and devotees from various parts come to the temple. The idol is taken in a palanquin and carried throughout the city with joy and grandeur. This festival and the temple are one of the best things to see in Barog, Don’t miss the chance while on the Trip.
Timing: 7 in the morning to 6 in the evening
Best Time To Visit: From February to November
Nearest Airport: Jubbarhatti of Shimla (about 45 Km away)
Suggested Read: Kasol New Year Party
10. Barog Camping Grounds
Photo: Derek Harpe / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
Indulge yourself with nature at the Barog’s Camping grounds and explore the nearby grounds and villages. Surrounded by giant trees and a clear view of the snowy peaks of the Himalayas, Barog campaign grounds provided exceptional views and tranquil mornings to the campers on the site. it is one of the most sought-after things to do in Bargo by tourists from all over the world. experience nature resolves first-hand in Barog.
Barog is a magical blend of history, mythology, religion and culture along with a lot of nature and trekking. The options are so many that the thought of “Okay, now what to do in Barog?” will never cross your mind! This also means a good organisation of the itinerary and that is much possible with an experienced agency like TripXL.
Cover Photo: Anup Sadi / Wikimedia Commons