The mighty hill station is seen as one of the best places to visit and enjoy holidays with family and friends. Located in the state of Himachal Pradesh at an elevation of 2,205 m above sea level, this gorgeous city has a number of attractions to lure the attention of the travelers all around the world.
Surrounded by lofty mountains of the Himalaya, this city has created a special place in the heart of a number of people with its dense pine forests and beautiful apple orchards. Shimla derives its name from the Goddess Kali, she descended here in the form named 'Shyamali Devi'. The magnificent city was the summer capital of the British rule. Shimla Travel Guide provides you with the valuable information about this city.
Shimla tourism is fired by many reasons and enjoys many seasons. The hot summer season when the Indian plains begin to boil many young people and even families travel to Shimla on Shimla tour packages and the another huge season for Shimla tourism comes during the post wedding season with thousands of honeymoon couples flock up to see the attractions in Shimla region.
Places to visit in Shimla
Places to visit in Shimla
Situated amidst the dense Glen Forest, the waterfall is located at a distance of 7 km from Shimla and 4 km from Summer Hill. It's crystal clear water cascades down a deep gorge at a height of 86 metres. The surrounding hills and thick green trees of Deodar and Pine gives the place an exotic and beautiful look. One can relax here and enjoy some 'me' time after a hectic travel schedule.
There is an interesting story behind the quirky name of the waterfall. Originally it was known as ‘Chidku Jhaar’ as a waterfall is called as ‘Jhaar’ in the local dialect and ‘Chidku’ means bird. The waterfall is so high that only a bird could reach at the top so it was named as Chidku Jhar. But the British people mispronounced it to ‘Chadwick Falls’. There is another popular folklore telling about a demon who was imprisoned by the local gods behind the rock. Locals believe that the water of the falls comes down from the mouth of the devil.
Rain water is the main source of this fall so the best time to visit is monsoon or after the monsoon. Visitors should note that because it is located inside the forest it’s unsafe to go alone there; going around in groups is what we recommend.
Gaiety Heritage Cultural Complex, Shimla
Located in the centre of Shimla on Mall Road, Gaiety Heritage Cultural Complex is a popular tourist destination. It is also one of the oldest complexes in the state of Himachal Pradesh as well as in India. The complex is almost 122 years old and it was built in the Gothic Victorian style by the architect Henry Irwin. Inside the complex, one can visit various section such as art gallery, city museum, multi-purpose theatre, old theatre and Amphitheatre as well as a conference hall.
One can see the traditional and contemporary art of India inside the Art Gallery. The City Museum displays various historical artefacts. The Amphitheater conducts cultural performances and in the old theatre and the multi-purpose theatre one can see the classical events. The most popular attraction in this complex is the Victorian theatre where legends like Rudyard Kipling, Prithviraj Kapoor and K.L. Sehgal have performed. Photography buffs can click a unique shot of this Gothic style designed edifice.
Visiting Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Entrance Fee:
For Indians: Rs. 10
Foreign Tourists: Rs. 25
Summer Hill
Summer Hill is located at a distance of 5.1 km from The Ridge. Situated on the Shimla-Kalka Railway line, it lies at an elevation of 2,123 metre above sea level. The rich vegetation and cool surroundings of this forest-covered hill attract a number of tourists every year. Different varieties of flora like oaks, cedar, pines and rhododendrons are found here.
The famous building Manorville Mansion where Mahatma Gandhi stayed during his Shimla visits is located on this hill. It is also the location of the Himachal Pradesh University, an important educational centre for higher studies. Visitors can enjoy a beautiful view of green forests and distant snow-clad Himalayas.
One can reach there by train via the Shimla Kalka Railway, which has Summer Hill as one of the stops. Guest houses and hotels are located nearby and many local people provide in-house accommodations for tourists.
Scandal Point Shimla,
Scandal Point is located along the western end of Shimla where the Mall road joins the Ridge road. A meeting place for locals, tourists and lovers, Scandal Point is a name wrapped in mystery. One legend suggests that the controversial name comes from the scandal caused by the elopement of the Maharaja of Patiala, Bhupinder Singh with the daughter of the British Viceroy.
It is also famous for the statue of the Indian freedom fighter Lala Lajpat Rai. One can relax here as there are many benches to sit and enjoy the beautiful view of the city. Right next to the Scandal Point is the fabulous stone colonial structure of the General Post Office.
Jakhoo Temple , Shimla
Located at top of the Jakhoo Hill, this temple is a sacred place for the Hindu community of India and is dedicated to the Hindu Monkey God, Hanuman. The hill is situated 2.5 km from the Ridge at a height of 2,455 m above sea level and is Shimla's highest peak. From the hill, visitors can enjoy wonderful panoramic views of the Shivalik Ranges and the sister town of Sanjauli. The 108 feet tall idol of Lord Hanuman located at the top of the hill is a big attraction for the tourists.
Legends and myths suggest that the monkey Lord Hanuman rested here while on his search for the Sanjivini Booti (a kind of herb). He met sage Yaaku on the hilltop and then moved ahead in his journey. It is also believed that the sage built this temple. Devotees from all over the country come here, especially at the time of Dussehra festival celebrations.
Beware of the monkeys here as they are known to snatch away any free hanging objects from people and are particularly interested in sunglasses. To reach the temple, one can walk or hire a pony from the Ridge.
Open all days.
Free Entry
Tattapani, Shimla
Tattapani village is located in Mandi district at a distance of 51 km from Shimla and 29 km from Naldehra. It is situated on the right bank of river Sutlej at an altitude of 2,230 ft. above the sea level. In local language, ‘Tattapani’ means ‘hot water’. The place is famous for its hot water springs that is spread over an area of one square kilometre. It’s pure water is rich in sulphur content and is believed to have curative power for various kinds of bodily and skin diseases.
Tourists can visit a popular Hindu religious place called Shivji Ka Gufa (Shiva’s cave) which is just 4 km away from Tattapani. Adventure lovers can go for white water rafting on Sutlej river. One can also enjoy a bonfire with family or friends at night along the river side. Visitors can get accommodation at various guesthouses, budget hotels and luxury resorts that are located nearby.
Christ Church Shimla
Christ Church is the second oldest church in Northern India. The foundation stone of this church was laid on 9th September 1844. It was consecrated on 10th January 1857 by Bishop Wilson of Calcutta. Built in Neo-Gothic style of architecture, it took nearly thirteen years to construct it. The stained glass windows over the altar and the clock were placed in 1860.
The fresco on the walls was painted from a design made by Mr. Lockwood Kipling (father of the Jungle Book writer Rudyard Kipling). The Pipe Organ of the church is the biggest in the Indian subcontinent and was erected in September 1899. Other impressive features of the Church include paintings that portray scenes from Jesus Christ’s life. As it is located at the most prominent road of Shimla, The Ridge, it has become an important landmark in the city.
Bollywood Connect: The Church can be seen in some of the scenes of popular movies like Black and 3 Idiots.
Viceregal Lodge, Shimla
It is located on the Observatory hill, one of the seven hills of Shimla. One can walk through the lane to the left of the State Museum entrance that leads there in five minutes via Hotel Peterhoff. The building was constructed as a resident place for Lord Dufferin, the then Viceroy of India (1884-1888). The architecture was designed in the famous Jacobethan style depicting the English Renaissance revival and resembles the fictional Hogwarts School of Harry Potter.
Later it came to be known as Rashtrapati Niwas as it served as the summer retreat of the President of India. In the early 60’s the President Dr. S. Radhakrishnan and the Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru decided to make it a scholars’ abode. That’s when the research centre IIAS (Institute of Advanced Studies) moved into the lodge in 1965. The research subject comprises Indian culture, religion, humanities and social and natural sciences. The drawing room, ballroom and dining room was converted into a library, the Viceroy’s office became IIAS Director’s office and the conference hall became the seminar room for research scholars.
There is a museum located inside the institution that houses the photographs and the texts from the era of the British colonial rule. One of the famous alumni of this institute is Burmese Nobel Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi who stayed here as a research fellow for about two years from 1987-1989.
Bollywood Connect: This magnificent building was shown as Michelle’s (Rani Mukerji) college in the National Award winning movie Black (2005).
Daranghati Sanctuary, Shimla
The sanctuary is located at a distance of 150 kms from Shimla near a small town Rampur Bushahr. Spread over an area of 167.40 square kms, a major portion of the sanctuary comprises dense forest with a great variety of wildlife species. This area was used as a hunting spot by the royal family of Rampur Bushahr. Now it is home to a different species of pheasants like Monal, Koklas, Western Tragopan (a native pheasant) and Kalij. Some of the animals that are found here include Flying Fox, Himalayan Ibex, Leopard, Indian Hare, Blue Sheep, Giant Flying Squirrel, Barking Deer, Brown Bear, Striped Hyena, Asiatic Black Bear, Musk deer and Goral.
When it comes to flora, the place has several species of oak, Himalayan Yew, Cedar trees and trees of almond, cherry, apricot, plum and pear. Different species of coniferous trees such as blue pine, silver fir and spruce are also found here. Trekking and camping can also be done here by taking permission and assistance from the forest officials. The most popular trekking option is along the old silk route from Sarahan to Daranghati, and the other one is from Shimla to Daranghati that passes through Narkanda, Baagi, Sungri, Taklech and Kareri. One can also visit the famous wooden temples that are located around the sanctuary.
The best time to visit this place is from April to June and from October to November. The nearest airport is the Jubbarhatti Airport of Shimla that is 23 km from Shimla and 150 km from Rampur and the nearest railway station is the Shimla Railway Station.
State Museum, Shimla
State Museum is located 2.5 km west of the Scandal Point on the Inverarm Hill. The history of the building dates back to the colonial times when it was the private residence of Lord William Beresford. He was the Military Secretary to the then Viceroy of India, Lord William Bentinck. When he left India, the mansion was inhabited by Sir Edwin Collan and thereafter by Sir Edward Law. After independence, it served as the residence of Indian Government officials. It was transformed into a museum on January 26, 1974 with the sole aim of collecting and preserving the historical, artistic and archaeological items of the Himachal Pradesh State.
The museum boasts of having a grand collection of ancient historical sculptures, coins, paintings and photographs collected from all over the state and the country. It also houses a library which has around 10,000 books, journals and magazines. Sculpture gallery has metal, wooden and stone sculptures. In the painting section, Pahari and Rajasthani Miniature Painting, religious paintings, contemporary paintings and Mughal paintings have been put on display. Other than these rare artifacts, the museum also has a unique collection of Himachali dolls. Art and history lovers must visit the museum while touring Shimla.
Visiting Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Open all days. (Close on Monday & Public Holidays)
Entrance Fee:
For Indians: Rs. 10
No comments:
Post a Comment