Solan is a city and a Municipal Corporation in Solan district (created on 1 September 1972) in the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. It is located 50 kilometres (31 mi) south of the state capital Shimla. The place is named after the Hindu goddess Shoolini devi. Every year in the month of June, a fair celebrating the goddess is held, featuring a 3-day mela at the central Thoudo grounds. Solan was the capital of the erstwhile princely state, Bhagat. It is known as the "Mushroom city of India" because of the vast mushroom farming in the area as well as the mushroom research centre situated at Chambaghat. Solan is also called the "City of Red Gold", in reference to the bulk production of tomatoes in the area.