Introduction

The Lower Mall starts just after the bus stand and Christ Church that lies above it. Facing the town with your back towards the bus stand, this is the fork on the left. After a little rise and then a dip, the road is more or less level right up to Monkey Point, which marks its end. Snatches of colonial architecture come up right in the beginning. There is the Hotel Morris with its fretwork and just past this is one of old Kasauli’s landmarks, the Alasia Hotel. Outside this, there is still the large thermometer advertising Stephen’s Inks alongside the tumbling sedum and ivy. Till a few years back, the late Mrs. Smolin would step out of her room for elevenses on the terrace of the hotel and share her memories with those who cared to listen. Mrs. Smolin was the last of the line, in India, of the formidable entrepreneur, Mrs. Hotz who in the early twentieth century ran five hotels (two in Agra, one in Delhi, the Alasia at Kasauli and The Gables and Wildflower Hall near Shimla; she sold Shimla’s Cecil), was the mother of ten children and the wife of an excellent photographer.

Past the Alasia, a little further down, is Himachal Tourism’s Hotel Ros Common. Along the hillside, almost opposite the hotel, is a sharp ‘short cut’ that climbs straight up, goes past the Circuit House and arrives near the Kasauli Club on the Upper Mall. Throughout the Lower Mall are large, colonial bungalows with little gardens and stone retaining walls covered with mosses and lichens. All along are pines, grassy slopes and occasional cedars and elms. During the monsoon months, this is all lush and packed with wild dahlias and morning glory.

Some three kilometres from the bus stand, the Lower Mall comes to an end at Monkey Point where the end of the spur rises dramatically out of relatively level space. This hill is crowned with a temple dedicated to Hanuman Ji; not unexpectedly, the place is swarming with rhesus monkeys – and hence the name ‘Monkey Point’. The views from here are absolutely spectacular. On a clear day, you can see the plains below, the peak of Choor Chandni which is the highest in the Lower Himalayas; if the time of year and day is right, the wide spread of the distant snow-peaks runs across the horizon.

Special Attributes

Narrow road with considerable charm and fine views.

Nuisance

Occassionally, the traffic can be a bother - especially on weekends.

Dressing restrictions

Comfortable but conservative.

Connectivity

Taxis and walking

Enjoyed by

Walkers, nature lovers, religious and general interest

Exposure

Some level of UV and rain in the monsoons and in winter

Avoidable Season

Open through the year

Facilities

Restaurants en route

Things Not Allowed

Cameras have to be deposited at the entrance of Monkey Point

Tip

Monkey Point is a part of the Air Force Base and restrictions apply

Type of site

Road and then, temple at the end.