Tourist Attractions to visit in Dagshai

Dagshai places to visit: Dagshai or Daag-e-shahi is one of the oldest cantonment towns in the hilly terrains of Solan district in Himachal Pradesh and one of the beloved tourist attractions. This place is located on the top of the hill at a height of 5,689 feet (i.e. 1734 meters) above sea level. This tiny town is worth visiting at least once in a lifetime, to get a taste of what a real eccentric tourist attraction feels like. The foundation of this township was laid back in 1847 by the East India Company. This incident transpires after the East India Company took over the five villages of Badhtiala, Chunawad, Dabbi, Jawag, and Dagshai from the Maharaja of Patiala, Bhupinder Singh.

How one can reach Dagshai?

Dagshai is located at a distance of just 19 Km from Kasauli. This place stands on the highway of Kalkaji and Shimla at a distance of about 11 Km from Solan. The place is also 28 Km away from Parwanoo and can be accessed via National Highway number 22. One can easily board a cab or a bus ride down to reach this place. 

Best time to reach Dagshai

The summer season is one of the most favored times to visit this town. This town administers a perfect hideout for people escaping from blistering heat at plain. Being situated at a proximal distance from plain areas, travelers come quite intermittently to this place. During summer, there are some cultural programs formulated in this town, as an attraction to watch in and around Dagshai. Hence, overall this is an excellent time to visit Dagshai from March to June every year. 

Winters are adequately suitable for nature enthusiasts. The temperature remains just above freezing point and the climate stays crystal clear. Due to such an elegant environment, it is quite good to stroll on pathways and watch picturesque views. If the cold is tolerable for travelers, then this is the best time to visit Dagshai. The three main reasons why to visit this old cantonment town in winters are – cost-effective accommodation, less hustle and bustle, and unpolluted atmosphere.

Monsoon is a favorable season to move in but it is somewhat risky for arrivals. The pathways are very slippery, some of the tourist attractions are closed due to excess rain during this time, and road blockage may happen because of landslides. Though, during this season, the traveler may get the best shot to frame in-camera. The green vegetation just looks more elegant in the showers of rain.

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Dagshai places to visit

Some of the Dagshai places to visit in this oldest cantonment town are such as –

Dagshai Jail Museum

Dagshai Jail Museum is a British prison that is now turned into a museum. This jail museum is artlessly incredible and unique. This museum is connected with a historic incident – Mahatma Gandhi was in this jail for one whole year to give moral support to the Irish people. This jail was built in 1849 with a maximum of 54 cells at that time. These cells are dark with not a single source of light. There is also one VIP cell in this jail where there are some luxuries such as washrooms, and a fireplace. 

James Daly, the leader of the mutiny was shot dead in the courtyard of this jail by the firing squad on 2nd November 1920. He was buried in this cemetery itself. After some years, his rest were backed to their dedicated place, Ireland. Apart from this, he was given a funeral with military honor at this place.

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Dagshai Church

In ancient ages, British people have entrenched two churches for worship in Dagshai. Both of these churches are still visited for prayers and Mass on Sundays. St Patrick Church and St Angelin Church are one of the two well-known tourist attractions of Dagshai. These religious places showcase the compelling architecture of the British era. 

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ViewPoint in Dagshai

This viewpoint is one of the outstanding sightseeing in the town of Dagshai. It displays the fascinating views of hilly mountains located in the valley of Himachal Pradesh. On a clear day, it is said that far distant cities such as Chandigarh, and Panchkula can glance from this point. This location gives wonderful ambiance and a soothing atmosphere to experience the harmony and serenity of the place.

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Dagshai Haunted Cemetery

Dagshai village has nothing except few army buildings, one top army boarding school, and local village houses. Apart from all these places, it has a cemetery blatant to be haunted among locals. The spirits here do not harm people but they bless. The incident behind this spirit is that once in British time a Major named George Weston, and his wife were childless. One day he and her wife get a blessing from some local Muslim saint, and her wife got pregnant. But regrettably, in her 8th month of pregnancy on 10th December 1909, she met with a terrible accident and died along with her unborn child in her womb. She was buried in this cemetery and her husband decorated her grave with beautiful marble. Apart from this, her husband made the structure of a lady, and her baby was blessed by an elf.  

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Wrap Up

These are some of Dagshai places to visit in this oldest cantonment town. It is a well-known place since the time of the Mughals and contains historical places along with magnificent site views.