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Shimla Hotels >
Shimla City Guide |
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SHIMLA
General Information & History |
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General Information
| STD Code |
0177 |
| Population: |
1.25 million approx |
| Altitude: |
2202m (above sea level) |
| Weather: |
Winter are cold and chilly winds from the upper Himalayas makes the place really cold. Around Christmas or last week of December Shimla gets snowfall. Temperature
varies from 15 ~27o C in Summers and in winters its in the range 0~17 o C. |
| Best time to visit: |
April to August & December to January |
| Languages: |
Himachali (Pahari), Hindi and English |
About Shimla
The former summer capital of the British in India, and the present capital of Himachal Pradesh, Shimla has been blessed with all the natural bounties which one can
think of. It has got a scenic location, it is surrounded by green hills with snow capped peaks. The spectacular cool hills accompanied by the structures made during
the colonial era creates an aura which is very different from other hill.
Bulging at its seams with unprecedented expansion, Shimla retains its colonial heritage, with grand old buildings, among them are the stately Viceregal Lodge,
charming iron lamp posts and Anglo-Saxon names. The Mall, packed with shops and eateries, is the centre of attraction of the town, and Scandal Point, associated with
the former Maharaja of Patiala's escapades, offers a view of distant snow clad peaks.
Shimla is ideally located, and though there is an air service to the town, it is best reached by road that takes in the charms of the HIMALAYAN countryside at its
best. There is a sense of nostalgia about SHIMLA, with its old bungalows and their gabled roofs and beautiful gardens. Also Known As: The Summer Refuge |
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Church, Shimla |
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Night View Shimla |
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Viceregal Lodge |
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Mall Road, Shimla |
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Shimla Sightseeing Himachal State Museum & Library: The museum is located 2.5-km west of the scandal point and
opens daily except on Mondays and public holidays. It has got a good collection of ancient historical sculptures, paintings, coins, photos and other items from all
over the state as well as outside it. It has also got a library, which houses many historical books and manuscripts. Visiting hours are from 10 AM to 5 PM and it is
closed on Monday and gazetted holidays.
Viceregal Lodge & Botanical Gardens: On the Observatory Hills is located Viceregal Lodge, which is also known as "Rashtrapati Niwas". This
magnificent building was the residence of the British Viceroy Lord Dufferin. This lodge was completed in 1888 and it is said that every brick for the building was
carried by mules. This is a six-story building and is surrounded by well-maintained gardens and lawns. The lodge has now been converted into Institute of Advanced
Study and is further 2-km from State Museum.
Indian Institute Of Advanced Studies: Housed in the former Viceregal Lodge, it was built in 1888. The style of architecture is English Renaissance, the masonry
of the walling is light blue limestone and the wrought stonework is done in sandstone in a beautiful light gray tint. It has magnificent lawns. The entry in the
institute is by ticket and only on Sundays the grounds are open for the public.
The Ridge: The large open space in the heart of town presents excellent view of the mountain ranges. Shimla's landmarks - the Neo-Gothic structure of Christ
Church and the new - Tudor Library building is worth seeing.
The Mall: Most of Shimla's landmarks are located here. The Mall further joins the Ridge at the ‘Scandal Point' of Kipling's Shimla, where a statue of the
nationalist leader Lala Lajpat Rai has been erected. This is the main shopping centre of Shimla with restaurants. This is especially pleasant in the evenings when
the views and lights are wonderful. The Gaiety Theatre, which is a reproduction of an old British theatre is a center of cultural activities. A passenger lift of
HPTDC can be taken from the Cart Road and the Mall. Lakkar Bazaar adjacent to the Ridge is popular for its wood-crafts and souvenirs.
Prospect Hill: Crowned by a temple dedicated to Kamna Devi 15-minutes walk from Boileauganj on Shimla-Bilaspur road. The hill at an altitude of 2,155m offers
a spectacular view of the area.
Summer Hill: At an altitude of 1,283m, 1 KM from Boilaeuganj. Summer Hill is a picturesque spot on Shimla-Kalka Railway line offering shady walks in quiet
surroundings. The Father of Nation, Mahatma Gandhi during his visit to Shimla lived in the elegant Georgian House of Raj Kumari Amrit Kaur located here. HP University
is also situated over here.
Potter Hill: Situated at a distance of 1 Km from Summer Hill is very beautiful Picnic spot with all the natural beauty. Ecological Park is situated here.
Glenn: Its about 4 km walk from the Ridge through dense Forests, a sprightly stream flows through the Glen forests at an altitude of 1830 meters. It is a
secluded picnic spot.
Annandale: Beyond the Glen is Annandale, another picnic spot. It is covered with deodar forests and was once the playgrounds of Shimla, where racing, polo and
cricket entertained the Britishers. Surrounded by deodar trees, this glade has an ancient temple on the edge.
Elysium Hill: On the road leading through Lakkar Bazaar, houses the famous Auckland House, the former residence of Viceroy Lord Auckland. It is a well-known
girls’ school now. Nearby is the Stirling Castle, now an orphanage for the Tibetan children and a center for the Tibetan exiles who have settled locally.
Recreation: Shimla has three cinema halls, near to Mall and Hindi movies are played mostly. One can visit the Roller Skating hall on the left side of the
Lakkar Bazaar (open for all) and can do roller skating on melodious music. Mall has few Billiard Rooms. There are shops offering variety of Video Games. In the Tourist
Season various entertainment programs are organised such as Summer Festival in June, Ice skating in Dec-Jan and Winter Carnival. Most of the time one or the other
exhibition or craft fare is held around mall area.
Christ Church & St. Michael's Cathedral: Built in 1846-1857, Christ Church is the second oldest church of Northern India. The Church overlooks the ridge
and is one of the landmarks of Shimla. The clocks on Christ Church were added later but none of them are functional now. The Church's exquisite beauty comes with the
stained glasses that are fitted on its windows. You can discreetly have a look inside the church, or attend English-language services every Sunday during the tourist
season . The town's other important churches are St. Michael's Cathedral and Roman Catholic Cathedral, which is just off the Mall
Jakhu Temple: Dedicated to Lord Hanuman, this temple is at an altitude of 8048 feet above sea level near the highest point of Shimla ridge. It offers a panoramic view over the surrounding
valleys , out to the snowcapped peaks, and over the town itself. The temple is a 45-minute walk from the Ridge, one can also hire pony or taxi to visit temple. Jakhu
is a vantage point for witnessing the changing skyline as the sun rises or sets.
Sankat Mochan: On Shimla-Kalka road at a distance of around 5 KMs is the famous "Lord Hanuman" temple. Situated at an altitude of 1,975m, it commands
an excellent view of Shimla town. Temple has beautiful campus and Langar is held every Sunday.
Tara Devi: On Shimla-Kalka road this holy place is accessible by rail, bus and car (11-km). From the station / road - one can visit the temple on foot around
5 km walk among dense forests. Temple is accessible through motorable road also and its around 20 KMs journey from the town. Situated on top of a hill that faces Shimla,
the temple offers panoramic views of Shimla town and surrounding hills. A thick forest of oak and rhododendron surrounds it. It is famous picnic spot.
Kali Bari: The temple is situated near to The Mall and its 5 minutes walk from The Mall. The temple is dedicated to Shyamala Devi (Shimla is named after this
goddess), an incarnation of Goddess Kali. Temple faces heavy rush during Diwali and Durga Puja as many Bengalis visit this temple. |
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