Jubbal

Located at an elevation of 1,901 metres above sea level, Jubbal is a small hill town is located 90 km South East of Shimla, the capital of the state of Himachal Pradesh.  Nestled on the banks of River Pabbal, this hill town is 20 kms from town of Hatkoti.

Famous for its apple orchards and the Jubbal Palace, the hill town boasts with thick woods, dense deodars and intense shrubbery tress.

This tranquil hill town houses many colonial bungalows among which Jubbal Palace is the most famous. Known for its marvelous architecture it remainds of a fairy tale palace. Perched in the midst of hills, Jubbal palace was once the residence of the king or ‘Jamindar’ of the small kingdom Jubbal.

With its spectacular backdrop of the Kuper Peak, the palace is situated on the banks of the river Bishkalti. Built partly in Chinese design with a combination of masonry walls and wooden galleries, the Imperial Gazetteer of India describes the palace thus"The Rana's residence is built in partially Chinese Style, the lower portion consisting of masonry, while the upper half is ringed round with wooden galleries capped by overhanging eaves. The Palace is remarkable for the enormous masses of deodar timber used in its construction"

Recently, this palace has been transformed into a heritage site and a hotel. Designed by a French architect, the palace has undergone restoration and its original form has been preserved intact. The modern wing, where guests are put up was built in 1930s is a combination of Indo and European style and adorned with wood carvings.

Contact : The Jubbal Palace (Tel: 01781-252001-02; Tariff: Rs. 4,500).

Another major attraction of Jubbal is Hatkeshwari Temple, which is a well known temple in Jubbal area. It is believed to have been constructed by the Pandavas. According to the historians, the temple was built between 800 and 1000 AD. It was rebuilt by the Jubbal rulers during the 19th century. Known for its architectural workmanship, the temple boasts of Shikhara style of architecture. Adjacent to the temples, there are many smaller shrines, which also feature a distinctive Shikhara style. Rampur Jatar and Hemis Festivals are celebrated at this temple in the month of June and July, which attract huge number of tourists.

The Chander Nahan Lake is also a prominent spot of this hill town, attracting tourists for angling though it has depleted beacause of overuse. It is located near the banks of Pabbar river at an elevation of 4260 m above sea level. Trekking to this lake is a big task.

Many tourists also visit the apple hub of Rohru which is 31 km away from Jubbal. The hills surrounding this town are covered with apple orchards. Visit this place during autumn season. Rohru also has a temple devoted to Shikhru Devta, a local deity.

Another sightseeing location of Jubbal is Khara Pathar, which has derived its name from an egg-shaped boulder, nestled at a height of 8770 feet. Apart from the apple orchards, the town boasts deodarsa and pines. From here a 7 km jeep track leads up to the Giri Ganga Temple, near the source of the Giri.