Shimla is the capital of Himachal Pradesh and the favorite summer destination of the British Raj a century ago. It is a hill station, a community located far above sea level, allowing it to remain cool during the blistering dry season heat. Shimla is notable for its tudorbethan and neo-gothic style of architecture, a heritage from its colonial days. The Viceroy, his administration, and their wives and children, would take the trouble to move from Calcutta to this wondrous community every year, and tourists still do so today, to soak in the cool weather in the summer and relish in winter activities six months later.

The Mall is the first place to visit in Shimla, a shopping center filled with shops, cafes, bars, restaurants, and banks. It is the dominant meeting place for locales, as its cozy atmosphere amidst the towering mountains provides a perfect backdrop for socializing. One notable building here is The Gaiety Theater, a reproduction of the old British theater and center of cultural activities in the city. There is also a large open space here called The Ridge which gives a superb view of the mountains. Christ Church, Northern India’s second-oldest church, is located at The Ridge. Both the Ridge and an area called Scandal Point are popular meeting spots at the Mall. Other monuments to British rule that you can find in Shimla are the Viceregal Lodge, Auckland House, Gorton Castle, and Peterhoff House.  Other attractions in the city are Prospect Hill, Summer Hill, and Potter Hill. Summer Hills, in particular, is a favorite of Mahatma Gandhi when he visited Shimla decades ago.

Shimla has many temples worth visiting. The one nearest the Mall is called the Kari Bari Temple and is dedicated to the Hindu goddess Kali. Located 2 kilometers from Shimla is Jahkoo Hill, the highest peak in the area at 2,455 meters. Those who make the 45-minute climb from The Mall up the hill will be rewarded with a splendid view of the city, as well as the snow-covered Himalayas. On top of the hill lies Jahkoo Temple, a religious center devoted to the Hindu monkey-faced god Hanuman. Another temple devoted to Hanuman called Sankat Mochan is surrounded by thousands of monkeys which loiter about and wait for visitors to feed them. Those who wait for the sun to set here will be rewarded with a beautiful view.

If you prefer an eco-adventure trip, the district of Junga presents several resorts that are designed for maximum staying comfort while altering as little natural space as possible. Junga is 26 kilometers from Shimla, enclosed by green hills and covered with Kail, Pine, Cedar, and other trees. Other areas near Shimla that are worth visiting are Sanjauli, Arki, Naldera, Chail, and Tattapani, which is known for its hot springs.

The best way to get to Shimla is to take the toy train from Kalka, a must-try experience in itself. It is called the Shivalik Express, a luxury train which travels through 96 kilometers of narrow-gauge railway, one of the longest of its kind in India that is still in operation and proudly called the “British Jewel of the Orient”. The railway passes under 102 tunnels and 87 bridges and while offering a great view of the hills and valleys in the region. If you wish to take an airplane, there are flights from Delhi to the only airport at Jubbarhati, around 23 kilometers from the city. The two biggest events that occur in the city are the Sipi Fair in May and the Summer Festival. The colorful Sipi Fair is celebrated in the small village of Mashobra, some 13 kilometers away from the city. The Summer Festival, which is celebrated on the Ridge, lasts for 3 to 4 days and is highlighted by performances by singers from across the sub-continent. There is also an Ice-Skating Festival during the winter months, centering around Asia’s only natural ice-skating rink and hosted by the Shimla Ice Skating Club. A lot of winter sports occur during January and February in Kufri, just 16 kilometers from the city. However, global warming has reduced the ice-bound period in recent years and has affected the skating season, as well.

Posted in Attractions, India

This entry was posted on Thursday, March 12th, 2009 at 4:52 pm and is filed under Attractions, India. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.