Shimla – The Queen of Hills : Hill Station in Himachal Pradesh, India

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Shimla; also known as Simla, is the capital and the largest city of the northern Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. In 1864, Shimla was declared the summer capital of British 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.

Shimla, city, capital of Himachal Pradesh state, northwestern India. The city lies northeast of Chandigarh on a ridge of the Himalayan foothills, at an elevation of about 7,100 feet (2,200 metres). Shimla was built by the British on land they had retained after the Gurkha War of 1814–16 and was used for resting troops. Shimla is one of the famous travel destinations in Himachal Pradesh to plan for your weekend holidays. This quaint hill town attracts tourist footfall with its picturesque vistas, snow-capped mountains, & adventure activities.

The town of Shimla is built over several hills and connecting ridges. The important hills are Jakhu(8050 ft), Prospect Hill (7140 ft), Observatory Hill ( 7050 ft), Elysium Hill (7400 ft), and Summer Hill (6900 ft).

Places to visit

  1. Shri Hanuman Temple, Jakhoo

Jakhu Temple (also Jakhoo Temple) is an ancient temple in Shimla, Himachal Pradesh, India, dedicated to the Hindu deity Lord Hanuman. Jakhoo Temple is one such shrine. According to Ramayana, Lord Hanuman stopped at this hill to rest while searching for the Sanjivni Booti to revive his brother Lakshmana. Due to this event, the temple at Jakhoo Hill holds prime significance among pilgrims and tourists.

Hanuman Statue- The 108 feet long idol of Hanuman is an attraction in itself and has enticed a huge number of tourists throughout the years. Its construction was started in 2008 and completed in the year 2010, inaugurated and built by the Managing Director of JHS Svendgaard Laboratories Ltd, the largest oral-care manufacturing Company in India, Nikhil Nanda and the then Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh, Prem Kumar Dhumal.

2. The Ridge

The Ridge in Shimla, India is a large open space in the center of the city that is the hub of cultural activities. It is located along Mall Road, a famous shopping center in Shimla.

Shimla is located in the southwestern ranges of the Himalayas, at an average altitude of 2,206 meters (7,238 ft) above sea level. The city stretches nearly 9.2 kilometers (5.7 mi) from east to west and extends along a ridge with seven spurs. 

3. Mall Road

Mall Road is the major hangout point and shopping center in Shimla Himachal Pradesh, India. Constructed during British colonial rule, the Mall road is located a level below The Ridge. The offices of municipal corporation, fire service and police headquarters are located here. Automobiles, except emergency vehicles are not allowed on this road.

Mall Road has a number of showrooms, departmental stores, shops, restaurants and cafes. A Himachal emporium that offers handicraft products of Himachal Pradesh like locally designed woollen clothes, branded clothes, pottery items, wooden products, and jewellery is also located here.

4. Kufri

Kufri, along with Chail and Shimla forms the famous Golden Triangle of Himachal Pradesh. Yearly winter sports festival is held here in February, which is a major attraction for the tourists. If you are into rides and adventure, Kufri Fun World fits the bill. The months of November through March, when Kufri has the most snowfall, are the finest times to visit. However, many people visit during the summer months of April through June since the weather in Kufri is excellent.

The opening hours of Kufri Fun World are from 10 am to 6 pm, and the cost is Rs. 500 per person for the entry fee. You can also enjoy some special events and festivals at Kufri Fun World, such as the Summer Festival, the Baisakhi Festival, and the Himachal Day. A short weekend trip to Shimla and Kufri will totally be a leisure holiday with family or friends. This 03 days Shimla Kufri trip from Delhi will be valuable because it will give you a unique experience of tranquillity altogether. Plan your Shimla Kufri tour package to enjoy beauty of nature.

5. Scandal Point

Scandal point is where the Mall road joins Ridge road on the west side. The name arose from the commotion caused by the supposed elopement of a British lady with an Indian Maharaja. The story goes that the Maharaja of Patiala had eloped with the daughter of the British Viceroy. There is no entry fee to visit Scandal Point in Shimla. It is open from 6:00 am in the morning to 8:00 pm in the evening on all days.

6. Lakkar Bazar

Located on the tiny road adjoining The Ridge in Shimla, Lakkar Bazaar is one of the popular street shopping places famous for the wooden decorative paraphernalia. There are also small shops lined along the market selling woollens, Pashmina shawls and handicrafts, with the Kullu shawls being the prime attraction. Lakkar Bazaar is a marketplace adjoining The Ridge in Shimla, India. The market is known for wooden toys made by a small group of Sikh carpenters who settled there a century ago from Hoshiarpur. There is also a roller skating rink. The Indira Gandhi Medical College and state hospital also adjoins to Lakkar Bazaar.

7. Chadwick Falls

Chadwick is one of the most well-known waterfalls in Shimla. Locals used to call it “Chidku Jhaar”, Chidku meaning “sparrow” and Jhaar derived from “jharna” which translates to “stream” or “waterfall”. Chadwick Falls is located about 7 kilometres from Shimla. Tourists can rent taxis to reach the falls inside the Glen Forest. Those exploring by self-driven vehicles can take the route to the fall via Cart Road and Chaura Maidan Road.

Time to Visit Shimla

The best time to visit Shimla depends on what you want to do and the weather you prefer: 

  • Summer (March–June)This is the peak season for tourism and a great time for families. Temperatures are pleasant, ranging from 15–30°C, and the nights are cool. This is a good time for outdoor activities like hiking, trekking, paragliding, parasailing, camping, and rafting. You can also visit the Mall Road for shopping and local eateries. The Shimla Summer Festival in May or June features folk dances, flower shows, and musical performances. However, you should book accommodations and transportation in advance because of the high demand. 
  • Winter (November–January)Shimla is covered in snow during the winter, and the temperatures range from -7–10°C. The weather is usually dull, but the snow is a highlight for many visitors. 
  • Moderate season (September–November)This is another good time to visit Shimla. 
  • Autumn (October)The skies are usually clear in autumn, with temperatures dropping to 10–12°C in the evenings. 

Famous Street Food in Shimla

  • Madra. A Creamy Delight: One of the most iconic dishes in Shimla is Madra. …
  • Chicken Anardana. Tangy and Tantalising: For meat lovers, Chicken Anardana is a must-try Shimla street food delicacy. …
  • Dham/Dhaam. …
  • Chha Gosht. …
  • Babru.

Specialty in Shimla

Shimla is home to several buildings that are styled in the Tudorbethan and neo-Gothic architectures dating from the colonial era, as well as multiple temples and churches. The colonial architecture and churches, the temples, and the natural environment of the city attract tourists.

It is famous for its beautiful landscapes, fun adventurous activities at the Mashru Peak and rare mountain animals at the zoological park. Trek to the popular Jakhoo temple at the Jakhoo Peak, Shimlas highest point, and enjoy the astounding view of the Shivalik mountain range.

Pattoo– It is a traditional dress of the local women. It is thicker and heavier than shawls, with fast and bright colors. Women wear pattoo over their clothes and pin both ends with local silver broaches called ‘boomini’, which is a long silver chain.

With beautiful colonial architecture, a pedestrian-friendly Mall Road, and a ridge lined with shops, cafes, and restaurants, the hill station retains its old-world charm. Shimla is well connected to many cities and is only four hours away from the nearby city of Chandigarh.

How to reach Shimla

There are multiple ways to reach Shimla, including by air, train, or road: 

  • By air– The nearest airport to Shimla is Chandigarh Airport, which is about 120 kilometers away. Shimla also has a smaller airport in Jubbarhatti, which is 23 kilometers away, but its operations are limited by weather and season. 
  • By train– The nearest railway station to Shimla is Kalka, which is about 96 kilometers away. From Kalka, you can take the scenic Kalka-Shimla toy train to Shimla. The train runs slowly and the journey takes about five hours. 
  • By road– Shimla is well-connected to Chandigarh, Dehradun, and New Delhi by national highways. You can drive to Shimla from these cities in your own vehicle. There are also luxury bus services from Delhi to Shimla, and the Himachal Road Transport Corporation operates bus services between Shimla and nearby cities and towns. 

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