Day 41 - Shimla

Day 41


Shimla  is the capital of the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. British declared this city as their summer capital in 1864.Situated in the north western part of the Himalayan Mountains, Shimla has an elevation of 2,205 meters above sea level. Shimla is unique with its unparalleled glittering beauty. Set in the midst of impressive hills and dense jungles this hill town has its own charm. Its elegant streets, plummeting torrents and salubrious climate make it a thriving hot spot.


How to reach here:

By Air: Shimla’s Jubbarhatti Airport is nearly 25 km away from the heart of the city. The airport is connected to Delhi airport by daily flights. Delhi International airport is the nearest major airport.

By Rail: Shimla has a meter gauge railway station. It connects to the nearest broad gauge station at Kalka, which is at a distance of 96 km from Shilmla.Kalka is well connected to all major cities in India by rail.


Best time to visit: Throughout the year.


Languages spoken:  Hindi, Punjabi, Pahadi and English.


Must eat: Chha meat, Bathu ki Khir, Sepu Badi, Chicken Anardana.


Famous Restaurants: Ashiana Goofa Restaurant, Fascination Restaurant, Himani Restaurant, Solitaire Restaurant.


Places you must visit:

Ridge is located in the core of the fascinating Shimla and offers a large open space. The beautiful region is full of lush vegetation and panoramic scenic beauty. The Ridge joins the Scandal Point and leads to Lakkar Bazaar on the east side. It has become a popular destination for summer festival and local celebrations.



Jakhu Temple is a majestic temple and dedicated to Lord Hanuman. Situated on the top of the beautiful Jakhu hill at an altitude of 2455 meters above the sea level it is surrounded by forest. There are many monkeys around this temple but fortunately do not attack travelers.




Christ Church at the Ridge is the second oldest church in northern India constructed in 1846-1857. Designed by Colonel J. T. Boileau, the Church features a clock on the church tower that was put up in 1860. The porch along with the church was added in 1873. Its brass plaques and stained glass windows are an attraction that exhibit faith, hope, charity, fortitude, patience and humility. The fresco surrounding chapel window was designed by Rudyard Kipling's father, Lockwood Kipling.

Dorje Drak Monastery is a major tourist destination in Shimla. The mesmerizing monastery stands gloriously and shines with its holistic features of Tibetan Almighty. It has a pleasant ambience that is sure to soothe mind and body and feel rejuvenated.

The Kali Bari Temple, one of the ancient temples of the city, was built in 1845. Dedicated to the fearsome reincarnation of Goddess Kali, known as Shyamala, the Goddess is believed to have existed near Jakhoo. The shrine of the blue Goddess existed near Rotheny Castle on Jakhoo before it was shifted to a place, known as Kali Bari at present.In the temple, a wooden image of the Goddess Kali in the form of Shyamala is worshipped. The original altar at the shrine was established by the Bengali devotees as per historians.Goddess Kali is worshipped in the forms like Bhavani, Bhadrakali, Cchinnamasta, Chamunda, Durga, Himavati, Kumari Sati, Kamakshya, Meenakshi, Parvati, Rudrarani, Tara and Uma at the shrine.



Rothney Castle is the property and also a major tourist destination of Shimla. It is also known as Rothney castle estate at Jakhu Hill. This is the property shown as a tourist point of the Himachal Government and was a heritage home of A O Hume. The castle is surrounded by beautiful greenery sceneries.



Himalayan Aviary or the Himalayan Bird Park is nearby the Vice regal lodge situated in Shimla at a height of over 2000 meters and a wonderful place for nature lovers. It has natural green pastures filled with rare plants and trees. Besides, it also has a huge collection of bird species like the Peafowl, Pheasants, Himalayan Monal (Himachal Pradesh State bird), Peacock, etc.



St Mary's Church is located at Kotgarh, situated nearby Shimla. It was constructed in 18th century, exact date varies most records attribute it to 1843 while others claim it was constructed in 1872. However, being in the exquisite natural beauty and near the Himalayan Range makes it a place worthwhile to see. Besides, the drive to the Church goes through mustard fields, blue hills and the important historic place of Thanedar where the very first apple orchard was planted in 1916 by Samuel Stokes.



Jakhoo Hill, is located at a distance of 1 kilometre from the Ridge, and is at a height of 8,000 feet above sea level. The highest peak of Shimla provides a beautiful view of the city with sunrise, sunset, the valleys of evergreens and snow-covered Himalayan ranges. Jakhoo Hill also has an ancient Hanuman temple.According to legend, the shrine is believed to exist since the times of Ramayana. The temple is a century old spiritual edifice that attracts devotees as well as trekkers and mountaineers.The word 'Jakhoo' is derived from 'Yakhsa', a link between humans and gods as per Hindu Mythology. The character is believed to be a protector of the divine treasure. The way to the temple is a narrow pavement that needs walking sticks to climb from the base.




The Town Hall is a renovated Municipal Corporation building of Shimla. Built during the British regime in 1910, the Town Hall exhibits architecture reminiscent of the pre-independence era, preserved in its original form.Located on the famous Mall Road, the large steps on the entrance of the building are highlights of the historic testimony. The steps are also a common site, where visitors click pictures.

The Shimla State Museum was set up in 1974 to protect and preserve the hill-out and cultural wealth of Himachal Pradesh. Artefacts and art objects in the museum exhibit collections pertaining to art, archaeology and cultural anthropology of Himachal Pradesh.There are 10,000 objects in the museum. The institution is segregated into galleries exhibiting different eras and periods like Pre-historic, Indian Archaeology, Woodcarvings, Arms Gallery, Gandhi Gallery and Himachal Archaeology.There are separate galleries for Pahari Miniature Paintings, Philatelic, Anthropological Monuments, Bronze artefacts, Photographs, Rajasthan paintings, Numismatics, Contemporary Art & Wall Paintings.These galleries have coins, photographs, local handicrafts and other items in the form of artefacts. Besides, the regional gallery displays a vast collection of Himachali bridal and tribal dolls along with paintings. The museum also features Mughal and Rajasthani miniature paintings.Among other highlights of the museum are the 6th to 11th century Gupta sculptures, 8th century stone images from Masrur and Bajaura. Temple bronzes, jewellery, textiles and masks from Kullu are also on display in the museum.

The Indian Institute of Advanced Study was built during 1884-1888 during the British rule in India. Housed in Viceregal Lodge atop Observatory Hill, the premise is encircled by pine trees and gardens. The British mansion was constructed by Lord Dufferin in the European style and was designed by Henry Irvine.One of the highlights of the institute is the teak-panelled interiors. Along with this, the entrance portico, the reception hall, grand staircase and fireplace are the other highlights.The state drawing room, ballroom and the wood-panelled dining room and an indoor tennis court draw a lot of visitors. The highlighting feature of the ancient Viceregal Lodge is the Burma teak interiors along with gracious grey sandstones.






The Himalayan Nature Park in Kufri, one of the popular locations around Shimla, is located at a distance of 16 km. The site renowned for its ski slopes is a natural habitat of rich flora and fauna with about 140 species. Along with the park, the state government has set up a Potato Research Centre.Spread over an area of 90 hectares, the Himalayan Nature Park was set up in 1992. The park also houses 'Monal', the State bird of Himachal Pradesh, also an endangered Himalayan species.The site also has a mini zoo amidst dense forests, housing rare breeds of wild animals and pheasants of the Himalayan terrain. The attractions of the zoo include Tibetan Wolf, Brown Bear, Musk Deer and Barking Deer.Along with the zoo and nature park, tourists can also engage in horse riding.

The Palace of Maharaja Patiala is positioned in the midst of Himalayan Pines at an altitude of 2,250 metres at Chail. The palace was constructed by the Maharaja of Patiala in 1891 and also served as a lodging place of British officials and laureates.The palace is spread over an area 75 acres, enveloped in Himalayan Cedar forests. Combining the charm and beauty of mountain ranges, the palace was converted to a luxurious hotel with a museum gallery exhibiting the grandeur and elegance of a princely estate.

Scandal Point is a popular tourist site located on the Mall Road.Scotland Church, historical Alfa restaurant and the beautiful view of the valleys are the highlighting features of the site.According to the historians, the place derived its name from the incidence, as emperor of Patiala, smitten by daughter of Viceroy of India, kidnapped her from this point. The reason of the incidence is not disclosed, with historians describing it as sinful as well as a national pride.The highest point of the Mall area, Scandal point also features statue of the legendary freedom fighter of India, Lala Lajpat Rai. 

The Chail Wildlife Sanctuary is a forest cover, perched over the Himalayas at an altitude of 1,000 metres to 2,180 metres above sea level. The hunting reserve of the Royals of the Patiala Kingdom, the forest reserve was declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1976.The region demarcates itself from the rest of the Himalayan belt with sudden surge of pine, oak and cedar trees. The forest rich with Himalayan flora becomes dense with rise in altitude.The Chail Wildlife Sanctuary is a habitat of numerous wild animals, which includes leopard, rhesus Macaque, Indian Muntjac, wild boar, crested porcupine, panthers and ghoral.The sanctuary is also home to European red deer, sambar, Himalayan black bear, langur and black-napped hare. Cheer pheasant and Kalij pheasant are among the notable species of birds in the sanctuary.

The Gaiety Heritage Cultural Complex is one of the testimonies of the historic British capital of India, designed by Henry Irwin. The 122 years old Cultural Complex is an important centre for all the theatrical, cultural and literary events.Built in the Gothic Victorian style on 30th May, 1887, the theatre has been a stage to national as well as international artists over the years. For preserving the heritage and making the complex more attractive, the complex was renovated in recent years without touching the existing structure.The attractions inside the complex are Art gallery exhibiting contemporary and traditional arts and a City Museum displaying historical arts and crafts of the Himalayan province. There is an Amphitheatre for hosting cultural performances. The multi-purpose theatre also features a conference hall along with the old theatre for theatrical and classical events.

 

Woodville is among the finest and oldest sites of Shimla built in 1865. Located in the east of the city, the mansion was the honored residence of the Commander-in-Chief during the British regime. General Sir William Rose Mansfield was the first occupant of the bungalow.n 1881, the mansion was bought by Sir James Walker who passed it on to the Alliance Bank of Shimla  which used Woodville as the manager's residence. Carrying forward the progression, the bungalow was acquired by Raja Rana Sir Bhagat Chand of Jubbal. He converted the mansion into his summer palace.After the demise of the King, Woodville was transformed into a hotel by one of his grandsons. Implicative of a European house, the house has beautiful surroundings and wooded pavements with dotted boundary of cedars and lawns.At present, Woodville is known as the Woodville Palace Hotel, which offers luxurious accommodation with advanced facilities and recreational opportunities.

The Nature Park in Summer Hill is among the noteworthy sightseeing spots, located at a distance of 5 kilometers from the city center  The suburb stands at a height of 6,500 feet on the Kalka-Shimla railway line. Summer hill, also known as Potter's Hill is among seven-hill clusters forming the hill station of Shimla.The name of Potter's hill originated from yesteryear  when potters visited the place to gather clay for making pots. Rich in variety of hilly flora and fauna, the hill situated next to Observatory Hill has a canopy of temperate forest.This Nature Park is frequented by thousands of holidaymakers, who can also enjoy horse rides through these dense forests of cedars and oaks.

Annandale, a historic playground, is a favorite spot for cricket and the princely game of polo.Standing at a height of 6,117 feet above sea level, the round playground on a small patch of table-land is spread over a circumference of three-quarters of a mile. Captain Charles Pratt Kennedy, one of the first incomers to the place, named it Annadale, which is nowadays misspelt as Annandale. Since the 1830s, Annandale has been an important center of Anglo-Indian playful activities, amusement and entertainment. Tourists visit the place for picnic parties, fêtes, birthday-balls, fancy-fairs flower, races and polo matches. The polo tournament at the playground was the annual feature, which was eventually shifted to Kolkata. Moreover  Lord William Beresford, the Military Secretary to Lord Dufferin expanded the ground to feature a pavilion for cricketers and a polo field for polo players. At present, the playground hosts army exercise and parades, sports and Dussehra festival celebrations. Besides, the field is utilized as one of the heliports in the city.

The Photo Art Gallery is a famous gallery where the beauty, culture, flora and fauna of the Himalayan state, Himachal Pradesh can be explored. The gallery exhibits 20,000 photographs of the state taken by the famed photographer, Inder Pal. Some of the highlighting works are Bhimakali Temple Shimla, Christ Church Shimla Viceregal Lodge Shimla and Chandratal Lake Shimla.

Ellerslie is the Himachal Pradesh Secretariat, which is also known as Raj Bhawan. It hosts assemblies of Vidhan Sabha. The Ellerslie building was designed by Lt. Col. H.E.S. Abbott over hundreds of years ago during the British Empire.The structure was constructed after dismantling an old building of the same name that housed the military department of the Punjab Government until 1886. Thereafter, the building is connected with Barnes Court where the interiors of the building feature brickwork of lime mortar cementing.The building of Ellerslie was taken over by the Himachal Pradesh Secretariat in the summer’s assembly of 1967. In July 1972, the 'Summit Hall' hosted cabinet meetings and was named after the initial summit meeting for Shimla Agreement between India and Pakistan. The building has a sub-basement along with basement and three floors, which has 143 rooms and 31 public conveniences.

The Bhimakali Temple, dedicated to Goddess Durga in the form of Bhimakali, is one of the famous Hindu shrines in the Himalayan province. Initially, the temple was the worship place of Bushair rulers of Rampur (Shimla).The temple exhibits fine artwork of Himachali architecture, influenced by Tibetan, Buddhist and Hindu styles of architecture. The Bhimakali shrine features a slanted slate roof, golden towers, pagodas and a carved silver door.The 800 years old temple is believed to be among one of the 51 Shakti Peeths of Shaivite Hindus. According to Hindu mythology, the Shakti Peeths are devoted to Shakti, also known as Durga, the Mother goddess. 

Gorton Castle is a contrasting testament of the historic summer capital of British India established in 1904. Designed and constructed in a Gothic style, the foundation of the building was laid by Sir Swinton Jacob, a renowned British architect. He served a long term as an executive engineer in the Rajputana state of Jaipur.The highlight of this Gothic Castle is the 'Rajasthan jaali' work on balconies. During the olden times, the building served as Civil Secretariat of the Imperial Government of India, featuring departments like Legislature, Land, Education, Home, Health and Finance. At the moment, Gorton Castle has offices of the Accountant General of Himachal Pradesh.Positioned on the hilltop, the building is spread across an area of 400 feet x 100 feet. The three storey testament comprises 125 small and big rooms. Gorton Castle is encircled by rosewood like timber blocks which were brought from Andaman Islands. Solid grey Sanjauli stone was used in the construction of the building and a red tile roof, which was replaced by galvanized red iron sheet roof.

The Railway Board Building, on the way to The Mall, is an unusual structure of cast iron and steel. To ensure safety and fire resistant structure, the building was one of the important buildings of the British Empire. The building built in 1896, held offices of the PWD’s Secretary, Railway Board and a Department of Commerce in the form of Accountant-General.The building was initially designated as the 'Public Works Department Secretariat Offices'. At present, many of the central Government offices reside inside the building. The building received its current name, when it housed Railway Board in 1923. The fire resistant structure was found intact without any major loss during a blaze in the top floor in 2001.

The Tara Devi Temple is among the most celebrated shrines in the region, stationed at a height of 6,070 feet above sea level. Dedicated to the Goddess of stars, the temple is visited by tourists and devotees in large numbers. This temple of high religious significance is believed to be built over 250 years ago.The shrine of Tara Goddess is situated on Tara Devi Mountain between Shoghi and Shimla. According to legend, the goddess keeps vigil on everyone resting on a hill top, showering innumerable blessings to her devotees. The devotees are served with a meal known as 'langar' on every Sunday.Located on the mountain peak, it provides a beautiful view of Shimla and the snow-clad Himalayan range on one side, while the other side reveals plains at a far distance. 

Gurkha Gate is one of the oldest gateways built in the hill station. Located on the Chaura Maidan Road, it is the main gateway to the Viceregal Lodge. Also known as the Institute of Advanced Study, it was the official summer residence of the Viceroy of India.The gate was built as a tribute to Gurkha soldiers of Nepalese origin that stood at this front to the save Himalayan kingdom. The Gurkha community was renowned for its bravery, humour and unswerving loyalty to the British Empire.On behalf of martyrdom of the Gurkha soldiers, Lady Curzon, the Vicereine at that time, applauded their contribution. Owing to her efforts, the British built the gates, carving their glory.

The Sankat Mochan Temple is one of the most popular worship places in Shimla. The temple is located in the midst of lush green trees just below National Highway 22. Tourists can see the Himalayan ranges and the widespread city of Shimla.In the 1950s, Baba Neeb Karori Ji Maharaj visited the place for soulful introspection and meditation. Being here for over 10 years, he built a temple dedicated to Lord Hanuman that was completed in 1966. Thereafter, the Government of Himachal Pradesh took an initiative to expand the temple.The Sankat Mochan Temple houses the idols of Lord Shiva, Lord Rama and Lord Ganesha in separate complexes along with Lord Hanuman in the main temple. The temple of Lord Ganesha is designed in the South Indian architectural style.

The Golf Course in Naldehra is among the oldest golf clubs in the world, situated 23 kilometres from Shimla. With a springing turf, the golf course stretches over a sprawling area enveloped among trees at an altitude of 2,200 metres. Initially a 9-hole course, the Naldehra golf course was expanded to 18 holes for organising national and international events.The golf club of Naldehra was founded in 1920 and is maintained by the Himachal Tourism Department at present. A well-groomed golf course along with the undulating hills and Himalayan oaks lures visitors for picnics or excursions.

The Mahakali temple lies on the banks of the calm and beautiful Mahakali Lake.The temple is dedicated to Maha Kali alias Goddess Kali Devi. The place and the lake are imposing and anyone can relax without any disturbance. Panoramic views of mountains and meadows in the surroundings enhance the beauty of the place. A deep silence greets one to this place.

Nalagarh Palace is a popular tourist attraction in Solan. Well manicured gardens, arresting views of the Shivalik ranges and a unique blend of Mughal and Indian style of architecture, makes this palace a must visit.The palace was converted into a heritage resort and large scale renovations have been done to retain its lost glory.



Sidh Baba Ka Mandir is a religious place in Chail.As per mythology and local legends, a saintly figure - a Sidh came in the dream of Maharaja Bhupinder Singh, who originally planned to build a palace at this place and informed that this was the place for a Mandir and not for a residential palace.Hence the pietious Maharaja constructed and dedicated to the saint and mandir was known as Sidh Baba Ka Mandir. The surroundings are scenic and the Mandir is a good picnic spot to visit.