Shimla, originally called Simla, is a city in the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. It is also the capital of the state and a municipality within the Shimla district. In 1864, Shimla was declared the summer capital of the erstwhile British Raj in India. A popular tourist destination, Shimla is often referred to as the "Queen of Hills" (a term coined by the British).
Located in the north-west Himalayas at an altitude of 2,130 metres (6,988 ft), the city of Shimla is draped in forests of pine, rhododendron and oak. It experiences pleasant summer and cold, snowy winter. The city is famous for its buildings styled in tudorbethan and neo-gothic architecture reminiscent of the colonial era. Shimla is connected to the city of Kalka by one of the longest narrow gauge railway routes in India. The city is named after the goddess Shyamala Devi, an incarnation of the Hindu Goddess Kali.
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The city is famous for its buildings styled in neo-gothic architecture, reminiscent of the colonial era as well as its pleasant summer temperature which have made it a popular hill station.
Source: wikipedia / wikitravel
Shimla was discovered by the British in 1819 after the Gurkha War. At that time it was known for the temple of Hindu Goddess Shyamala Devi. Scottish civil servant Charles Pratt Kennedy built the first British summer home in the town in 1822. By the latter half of the 19th century the town had become the summer capital of the British Raj.
The Kalka-Shimla railway line constructed in 1906, added to its accessibility and popularity. The railway route, touted as an engineering feat, came to be known as the "British Jewel of the Orient".
In addition, Shimla was also the capital of the undivided state of Punjab in 1871 and remained so until the construction of the new city of Chandigarh (the present-day capital of Punjab). Upon the formation of the state of Himachal Pradesh in 1971, Shimla was named its capital.
Source: wikipedia / wikitravel
The climate in Shimla is predominantly cold during winter and moderately warm during summer. The average temperature during summer is between 14 °C and 20 °C while it is between -7 °C and 10 °C in winter. The average total annual precipitation is 1520 mm (62 inches). Snowfall in the region is in January or early February.
Source: wikipedia / wikitravel.
Foreign currency can be exchanged at Chandigarh, the state capital or at Delhi. There are banks on Mall Road in Shimla that also offer this service.
Shimla can be reached by travelling up to Delhi or Chandigarh by road, rail or plane and then proceeding by road
Domestic Flights
Flights from the airport at Jubbarhatti (12 km away) connect Shimla to Delhi.
International Flight:The nearest international airport is at Delhi.
Road Travel
Shimla is approximately 115 kms from Chandigarh, the nearest major city, and 365 kms from New Delhi, the national capital. Local transport in Shimla is by bus or private vehicles. Buses ply frequently on the circular road surrounding the city center. Tourist taxis are also an option for out of town trips. Locals typically traverse the city on foot.
Private vehicles are prohibited on the mall, ridge, and nearby markets. Due to narrow roads and steep slopes.The National Highway NH-22 connects Shimla to the city of Chandigarh
Train Travel
Shimla is connected to the city of Kalka by one of the longest narrow gauge railway routes in India. The scenic KalkaShimla Railway, a narrow gauge track, is listed in the Guinness Book of Records for the steepest rise in altitude in a distance of 96 kms. Kalka, the plains rail terminus has daily departures to major Indian cities.
Source: wikipedia / wikitravel
Christ Church, Ridge Shimla: Situated on the Ridge is Christ Church, which is the second oldest church in Northern India. Christ Church is a place all visitors should spend some time in.
Jakhu Hill: 2 km from Shimla, at a height of 8000 ft, Jakhu Hill is the highest peak and offers a beautiful view of the town and of the snow-covered Himalayas. At the top of the Hill, is an old temple of Hanuman, which is also the home of countless playful monkeys waiting to be fed by all visitors.
Shimla State Museum: The Museum, which was opened in 1974, has tried to project hill-out and the cultural wealth of the state. There is a collection of miniature Pahari paintings, sculptures, bronzes wood-carvings and also costumes, textiles and jewellery of the region.
Indian Institute of Advanced Studies: This institute is housed in the Viceregal Lodge, which was built in 1884-88 during the British times. It has spacious gardens and is ringed by beautiful pine trees. All is calm and serene just the right atmosphere for a student of literature or politics.
Summer Hill: Situated at a distance of 5 km from the Ridge is the lovely township of Summer Hill at a height of 6,500 ft on the Shimla-Kalka railway line. Mahatma Gandhi lived in these quiet surroundings during his visits to Shimla. Himachal Pradesh University is situated here.
Annandale: Developed as the playground of Shimla, Annandale is 2-4 km from the Ridge at a height of 6,117 ft. It is a favourite spot for cricket, picnics and the princely game of polo.
Tara Devi: 11 km from the Shimla bus-stand. Tara Devi has a temple dedicated to the goddess of stars on top of the hill. There is a military Dairy Town here as well as the headquarters of Bharat Scouts and Guides. At a height of 6,070 ft, Tara Devi is an ideal place for a person wanting peace and some rest.
Mashobra: 13 km away from Shimla, Mashobra has several excellent picnic spots. Mashobra is the site of the annual Sipi fair in June. The nearest rest house is at Craignano which is 3 km from Mashobra, and is a beautiful holiday resort.
Shimla has many temples and is often visited by devotees from nearby towns and cities. The Kali Bari Temple, dedicated to the Hindu goddess Kali is near the mall.
Jakhoo Temple, for the Hindu god Hanuman is located at the highest point in Shimla [citation needed].
Sankat Mochan, another Hanuman temple, is famous for the numerous monkeys that are always found in its vicinity. It is located on Shimla-Kalka Highway about 10 kilometers (6.2 mi) from the city.
The nearby temple of Tara Devi is a place for performing rituals and festivals. Other prominent places of worship include a Gurudwara near the bus terminus and a Church on the ridge.
Source: wikipedia / wikitravel
Mall Road in the city centre is lined with stalls and restaurants offering North Indian delicacies.
Source: wikipedia / wikitravel
Lakkar Bazaar, a market extending off the ridge, is famous for souvenirs and crafts made of wood. Mall Road is also lined with shops selling woolen shawls, handicrafts and traditional Himachal dresses. Other favorites have included wooden toys, walking sticks and Tibetian carpets made in nearby Kinnaur. As the center of the food-processing industry in Himachal, jams and squashes made from local produce are indeed worth purchasing. The stretch between Combermere Bridge and the Telegraph Office is full of small stores which stock handcrafted Chinese shoes. The more well-known ones include Hopsons, Tatung and Hugh & Co. Himachal Emporium at the Mall Open Mon-Fri, 10AM-5PM is an excellent place to purchase locally-made handicrafts at set prices. Run by the Himachal Pradesh Government. Source: wikitravel
Tatta Pani, 55 kilometers (34.2 mi) from the main city, is the name of hot Sulphur springs that are believed to have medicinal value located on the banks of River Satluj.
Kufri: 16 km from Shimla at a height of 8,600 ft, Kufri is the winter sports capital. During winter, visitors have the facility for skiing. The skiing season is at its best during January and February. Equipment for skiing is available from HPTDC winter sports club at Kufri. Apart from skiing, Kufri is a lovely picnic spot with a beautiful view of the hills around and the snowy peaks. There is also a zoo that delights children.
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Shimla can be visited enroute from Delhi to Jammu. It is also a weekend getaway for those residing at Chandigarh.
