Shimla
(also spelt as 'Simla') derives its name from goddess 'Shayamla Devi', which
is another manifestation of Goddess Kali. The capital of Himachal
Pradesh came into light when the British discovered it in 1819. Till then,
it was a part of the Nepalese kingdom. In 1864 Shimla was declared as the
summer capital of India. After Independence, Shimla became the capital of
Punjab and was later named the capital of Himachal Pradesh . In 1903 a rail
line was constructed between Kalka and Shimla.
Shimla has
been blessed with all the natural bounties, one can think of.
Dwelling on a panoramic location, the hilly town is surrounded by green
pastures and snow-capped peaks. The spectacular cool hills accompanied by
the structures made during the colonial era create an aura, which is very
different from other hill stations.
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
snowclad peaks.
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Major Attractions of Shimla |
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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. The town's other important churches are St. Michael's Cathedral
and Roman Catholic Cathedral, which is just off the Mall.
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-storey 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.
The Mall : This is the main shopping
centre of Shimla with restaurants. 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.
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.
Jakhu Temple : Dedicated
to Lord Hanuman, this temple is at an altitude of 2,455m near the highest
point of Shimla ridge. It offers a fine view over the surrounding valleys,
out to the snowcapped peaks, and over the town itself. The temple is a
45-minute walk from the Mall. Jakhu is a vantage point for witnessing the
changing skyline as the sun rises or sets.
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Places to Stay in Shimla |
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The capital city and commercial hub of Himachal has got some
of the finest options of accommodation. The options vary from luxurious,
posh looking five star hotels, cottages and holiday resorts to economy class
and budget hotels and lodging rooms.
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Shopping in Shimla |
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The famous Himachali hat comes in different rates and vivid
colors. Lakkar Bazaar is famous for items made from wood. These decorative
wooden items are made from the softwood found in the hilly region. Further,
dry fruits and natural herbs, which have many medicinal properties, are also
easily available in the shops.
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How to Get there |
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Air : The Jubbarhatti airport is 23-km
from Shimla and major domestic airlines cater their services from here to
Shimla. One can catch direct flights from Delhi.
Rail
: Shimla has a narrow gauge railway line on which Toy Train runs from
Kalka to Shimla. The train cruises its way through valleys and beautiful
landscapes at a very slow pace making the journey very pleasant. From Kalka
one can take trains to other parts of India too. The Toy train from Shimla
is of two types - one is the normal multi coach train and the other is the
single car train, which has a glass roof giving an enthralling experience
during the journey.
Road : Roads connect
Shimla with other places in Himachal as well as other major towns and cities
of the neighbouring states. There is regular bus service from Delhi and
Chandigarh as well as ordinary; semi deluxe, deluxe and AC coaches for
Shimla are available too.