Introducing
Shimla
One of India's most popular hill stations, picturesque Shimla is the
capital of northern Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. Tourists in great
numbers visit Shimla all throughout the year. A place gifted with an
abundance of natural beauty, the landscape of Shimla is known for its great
diversity. Shimla is spread across 12 kms along a ridge and overlooks some
magnificent terraced hillsides and cultivations. The rich flora of the place
includes dense forests of oak, fur, pine and rhododendron. While a few
buildings bring back memories of the colonial past, gorgeous modern
buildings also add a new colour to the landscape. The views of snow clad
mountain ranges of Himalayas from the place are most enchanting.
Shimla derives its name from goddess 'Shayamla Devi', a manifestation of
Goddess Kali. Till the early part of the 19th century, Shimla was a part of
the Nepalese kingdom. A place of mesmerizing beauty, Shimla was discovered
by the British in 1819. The British lost no time in declaring it the summer
capital of India in the year 1864. Shimla was initially the capital of
Punjab after independence and later made the capital of Himachal Pradesh.
Shimla has also emerged as a popular base for adventure sports like
Trekking, Skiing, Fishing and Golf.
Climate
Shimla has a very pleasant climate. It is said that Shimla's climate is
much similar to that of London which had prompted the British to declare
Shimla as India's summer capital during pre-independence period. Summers are
mild with temperatures in the range of 15-28 degrees. Winters are very cold
and temperatures may fall below 0 degrees. Shimla also experiences chilly
winds from the upper Himalayas in winters. In December-January, Shimla also
experiences snowfall. The average annual rainfall is 165 cms.
Best Time to Visit
March-June and September-November
How To Reach
Air : Shimla figures in the air map of India. Shimla
airport is located on the outskirts of the city at a distance of 12 kms.
Both Indian Airlines and private carriers operate regular flights to Shimla
from many national destinations including Delhi.
Rail : Due to Shimla's high altitude location, only narrow
gauge lines could be laid. Infact, the narrow gauge line is considered one
of India's greatest engineering feats. Kalka railway station connects Shimla
with the rest of India. There is direct connectivity between Kalka and
Delhi.
Road : Regular deluxe bus services are available to Shimla
from national capital Delhi and many other destinations of northern India.
The road to Shimla passes through picturesque landscapes.
Where to Stay
A wide range of hotels, lodges and guest houses are available in Shimla in
the budget, mid-range and top-end categories. During the lean season, hotels
offer heavy discounts to attract tourists. The best hotels of Shimla in the
luxury category are Shilon Resort, Cecil Oberoi, Combermere, Asia The Dawn
and Springfields.
Attractions in Shimla
Jakhoo Hills : Jakhoo hills offer a great panoramic view
of Shimla town. The Jakhoo peak is the highest in Shimla. There is also an
attractive small temple dedicated to Lord Hanuman.
Chadwick Falls : Every tourist coming to Shimla makes it a
point to visit the Chadwick Falls. Chadwick is a 67 metre waterfall
cascading into a deep gorge. Best views of the falls are available after
monsoons when it is full of water. The falls are surrounded by thick forests
which further adds to the beauty of the place.
Taradevi Temple : The temple of Taradevi in picturesque
locations is widely visited by tourists. The deity worshipped is Tara Devi,
a Hindu version of the Tibetan Goddess Drolma.
Sankat Mochan : Sankat Mochan is the place on the
outskirts of Shimla in the Chandigarh-Shimla highway. There is a popular
temple dedicated to Lord Hanuman here. A splendid view of entire Shimla town
is available from the place.
Himachal State Museum : At a distance of 3 kms from the
city centre, the Himachal State Museum is located in a beautiful building
that is regarded as a great piece of colonial architecture. The museum has a
wide collection of statues, miniatures, coins, photos and other items from
around Himachal Pradesh. A visit to the museum gives a good idea of the
history and culture of Himachal Pradesh.
The Mall : The mall is the main commercial centre of
Shimla. The place is full of shops and restaurants. Gaiety Theatre, the main
centre in Shimla for cultural activities is also located here. The theatre
is a reproduction of an old British theatre. An excellent view of the nearby
mountain ranges are also available from the Mall. At a point called the
'Scandal Point' in the mall area, a statue of nationalist leader Lala Lajpat
Rai has also been erected.
Excursion Places near Shimla
Naldhera : Naldhera is a small town located at a distance
of 23 kms from Shimla. Naldhera has the oldest and the highest golf course
in India. Other than avid golfers, tourists also love to try their luck in
the course. The place does not let down the religious minded tourists
either. They can worship at the ancient Nag temple of the place. The place
is located at an altitude of 2050 metres.
Tattapani : Tattapani is a place famous for hot water
springs. What is more interesting is the fact that the spring waters have
high sulphur content. Bathing is a favourite pastime of tourists coming to
the place. The place is located at a distance of 65 kms from Shimla .
Kufri
: Kufri is another place nearer to Shimla known for its scenic beauty.
Located at an altitude of 2510 metres, Kufri is a popular destination for
hiking. Tourists come in large numbers to the place in winters to
participate in a winter sports festival held at the place.
Chail : A former summer capital of the Maharaja of
Patiala, Chail is a lush green town located at a distance of 43 kms from
Shimla. Chail is also known for its cricket stadium and a wildlife
sanctuary. At an altitude of 2250 metres, the cricket stadium of Chail is
the highest in the world. The wildlife sanctuary has some animal species
found in the Himalayan region only. The hills of Chail are also suitable for
hiking.
Ice Skating in Shimla
A popular winter sport, Ice Skating in Shimla usually starts in early
December and continues till late February. During these months two skating
sessions are organized per day, in the morning hours and in the evening.
But, if the skies are clear and temperatures are low, several uninterrupted
sessions can be organized here. Every year large number of adventure
enthusiasts visit the town of Shimla to undertake the sport.
In Shimla, the ice-skating club has a huge rink with an open area covered
with naturally frozen ice. This rink is situated at a distance of just 10
minutes from the Mall and is the oldest natural open ice skating rink in
Asia. For this skating rink, memberships are available for the whole season
as well as for shorter duration and you can even gain membership for a
single session. Skates are also available at the rink, so you don't need to
carry the skating gears on your own.
At the Shimla Ice-Skating rink, you can enjoy the variety of skating like
figure skating, speed skating etc. Besides, every season, various
fancy-dress carnivals, ice-hockey and dances enliven the atmosphere of
Shimla.
Shopping in Shimla
Shimla is a good place to buy wollen products. The wollens of Shimla like
sweaters, jackets, shawls and caps are in great demand among tourists. The
markets are also full of well designed Tibetan carpets. Tourists can also
look for wooden articles, toys and metal works. The agro products of Shimla
like jams and squashes are also very popular.
The main shopping areas in Shimla are The Mall, Lower Bazar and Lakkar
Bazaar.
