Waknaghat
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2017}}
{{Use Indian English|date=February 2017}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name = Waknaghat
| native_name =
| native_name_lang =
| other_name =
| nickname =
| settlement_type = Town
| image_skyline = Waknaghat, Shimla 2.jpg
| image_alt =
| image_caption = Early morning view from Wakanaghat
| pushpin_map = India Himachal Pradesh#India
| pushpin_label_position = right
| pushpin_map_alt =
| pushpin_map_caption = Location in Himachal Pradesh, India
| coordinates = {{coord|31.02|N|77.08|E|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type = Country
| subdivision_name = {{flag|India}}
| subdivision_type1 = State
| subdivision_name1 = Himachal Pradesh
| subdivision_type2 = District
| subdivision_name2 = Solan
| established_title =
| established_date =
| founder =
| named_for =
| government_type =
| governing_body =
| unit_pref = Metric
| area_footnotes =
| area_rank =
| area_total_km2 =
| elevation_footnotes =
| elevation_m = 1544
| population_total =
| population_as_of =
| population_rank =
| population_density_km2 = auto
| population_demonym =
| population_footnotes =
| demographics_type1 = Languages
| demographics1_title1 = Official
| demographics1_info1 = Hindi
| timezone1 = IST
| utc_offset1 = +5:30
| postal_code_type = PIN
| postal_code = 173234
| registration_plate =
| website =
| footnotes =
}}
Waknaghat is a small town in Solan district in the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh which falls on the way to Shimla, India from Kalka, India. It is located on National Highway 22. Waknaghat is around {{convert|22|km|abbr=on}} from Shimla and {{convert|25|km|abbr=on}} from Solan. Other nearby villages and towns are Wakna, Domehar, Aanji-Sunara, Sabathu, Mamlig, Shoghi and Kandaghat, Dhyari PG FOR BOYS BAHRA UNIVERSITY . Nearby railway stations include Kaithli-Ghat, {{convert|3|km|abbr=on}} from Waknaghat, and Kandaghat, {{convert|12|km|abbr=on}} from Waknaghat.
Regional resources
Waknaghat lies in the middle of a very resourceful region. It is surrounded by agricultural land, and holds the Sabzi Mandi of Solan. Waknaghat is known for tomato, ginger, peas, cauliflower, capsicum, cabbage, lady finger, beans, pepper, pahari potato, kheera as well as stone fruits.
Waknaghat has lime and sand quarries as well as stone mines. Waknaghat also has sweet mineral water in and around it.
Geography
=Climate=
Situated at an altitude of {{convert|1700|m|abbr=on}} on average, Waknaghat has a cool climate. Lying in the middle of the Solan - Shimla segment of N.H.-22 it has a moderate set of conditions; i.e., neither so cold as Shimla, nor too hot as Kalka as the temperature hardly rises above {{convert|32|C|F}}. During winters Waknaghat experiences little snowfall. Temperatures typically range from {{convert|-4|C|F}} to {{convert|32|C|F}} over the course of a year.
{{Weather box|location = Waknaghat
| metric first = Yes
| single line = Yes
| temperature colour = pastel
| Jan record high C = 21.2
| Feb record high C = 13.4
| Mar record high C = 24.9
| Apr record high C = 29.3
| May record high C = 31.0
| Jun record high C = 32.6
| Jul record high C = 29.8
| Aug record high C = 27.6
| Sep record high C = 24.4
| Oct record high C = 23.9
| Nov record high C = 19.4
| Dec record high C = 22.0
| year record high C = 33.4
| Jan high C = 8.3
| Feb high C = 8.9
| Mar high C = 13.9
| Apr high C = 18.3
| May high C = 22.2
| Jun high C = 22.8
| Jul high C = 20.6
| Aug high C = 19.4
| Sep high C = 19.4
| Oct high C = 17.2
| Nov high C = 13.9
| Dec high C = 10.6
| year high C = 16.3
| Jan low C = −2.2
| Feb low C = −2.8
| Mar low C = 6.7
| Apr low C = 11.1
| May low C = 19.4
| Jun low C = 21.1
| Jul low C = 22.6
| Aug low C = 17.0
| Sep low C = 16.9
| Oct low C = 12.6
| Nov low C = 7.2
| Dec low C = −1.4
| year low C = 8.0
| Jan record low C = −9.4
| Feb record low C = −7.7
| Mar record low C = −5.6
| Apr record low C = 0.0
| May record low C = 4.4
| Jun record low C = 7.8
| Jul record low C = 10.0
| Aug record low C = 11.1
| Sep record low C = 5.0
| Oct record low C = 3.9
| Nov record low C = 0.0
| Dec record low C = −6.1
| year record low C = −9.4
| date = January 2012}}
=Geology=
Dagshai - Solan - Kandaghat - Waknaghat - Kaithlighat - Taradevi - Kareru - Shimla is the main ridge forming partition line between the Sutlej and Yamuna catchments. Thus a drop of rain falling on the eastern past of Karol hill ultimately goes into the Bay of Bengal whereas the drop falling on the western part ultimately leads to the Arabian Sea.
Transport
=By road=
Waknaghat is easily accessible by road. It is {{convert|93|km|abbr=on}} from Chandigarh (3.5 hours journey by bus) and {{convert|22|km|abbr=on}} from Shimla (1 hours journey by bus).
The National Highway No. 22 is a prominent road passing through Waknaghat town. It is an important road from many points of view. Firstly it is a defence road connecting Delhi, Dehradun, Ambala and Chandigarh to the China Border. In addition, all raw products, building materials, passengers, goods etc. come through this route only. It is on account of its significance that there are today 2 bypasses within Solan Planning Area.
The Centre Government is also likely to undertake the 4-laning of this road. Surveys and studies have been completed in this regard.
Besides N.H.-22, there are many other significant roads connecting Solan to its nearby areas, towns or settlements. These include:
- Waknaghat - Subhatu road.
- Waknaghat - Wakna Village Road.
- Waknaghat - Solan- Shimla (NH-22).
=By rail=
The Kalka-Shimla Railway is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.{{cite news | work=The Hindu Business Line | url=http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2008/07/09/stories/2008070951530700.htm | title=Kalka-Shimla Railway makes it to Unesco’s World Heritage list | date=2008-07-09 | accessdate=2008-07-10}}
=By air=
The nearest airport is Shimla airport which is about {{convert|20|km|abbr=on}} from Waknaghat. The Himachal Pradesh government is setting up its first international airport at an investment of Rs.1,000 crore in Solan district of the state on a public private partnership model.
Education
Post-secondary educational facilities include the Jaypee University of Information Technology. There is one private university in the city, Bahra University.