Shimla Travel Guide

Place of History and Heritage

A quaint little hill train chugs up into the Shivalik foothills, over dramatic loops and high arched bridges to the hill resort of Shimla ( 2130 mts. )- the capital of the mountain state of Himachal. Shimla, the Queen of the Hills, was once a string of hill stations that the British established to escape from the scorching heat of the plains. The 12 kms. crescent shaped ridge on which it is located was first occupied by the British troops in the early part of the 19th century, during the Anglo-Gurkha War. It was once the part of the Nepali Kingdom and called Shyamala, another name for the goddess kali but received few visitors until it was ‘discovered’ by the British, who were seeking respite from the baking  plains in 1819. Three years later, the first ‘British’ house was erected, and in 1864 Shimla became the summer capital of India. Even now, it holds the lingering echoes of a bygone  era. Shimla’s salubrious climate, easy accessibility and numerous attractions have made it one of the most popular hill stations in northern India. The splendid views   of the snow-clad ranges of the Himalayas, fine walks through oak and flowering rhododendrons, enchanting resorts within easy reach, golf at Naldehra and skiing at Narkanda make Shimla an attractive destination throughout the year. This is the enchantment of nature’s generous bounty. To the north, the awesome snow ranges race across the horizon.

Places of attraction

Himachal State Museum and Library:- About 2.5 km. west of Scandal  Point, near the communications mast  the museum is located in a colonial building set amidst spacious lawns. It has a good collection of statues, pahari miniatures, coins, photos, stone sculptures, local handicrafts, textiles, embroidery and other items from around Himachal Pradesh and is worth a visit. Photography is strictly prohibited.

Christ Church :- The second oldest church  in northern India ( the oldest is in Ambala), Christ  church  was built between  1864  and 1857. The church is one of Shimla’s major landmarks and is renowned for its stained- glass windows. James Ransome designed the Library next door in the mock Tudor style.

The Glen:- About 4 km. West of the Scandal Point is one of the former playgrounds of rich  British  colonialists. Now it has become a picnic spot.

Annandale :- Follow  the first part of the route as for the glen, and continue down along the metalled road to this large glade surrounded by deodar woods. The turn-off is on the way to the museum and goes through Annandale, another lovely area. This was the site of a famous racecourse, and cricket and polo still played there.

The Mall:- All visitors  to Shimla  inevitably  walk down the Mall, the main promenade that runs along the top of the ridge-a busy  shopping area with old colonial  buildings, souvenir  shops  and restaurants. At the top end of the Mall is Scandal Point, a large open square with a view of the town-a favourite rendezvous for visitors and the local people.

Overlooking it is the elegant Christ Church with its fine stained glass windows. The labyrinth of  Shimla’s bazaars spill over the edge of the Mall.

Viceregal Lodge:- This lodge is also known as Rashtrapati  Niwas. Anyone can take a guided tour of the lodge from 9 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. daily (except Monday). The lodge is a pleasant 2 km. Walk west of the museum. Housed in the Gothic Splendour of the Viceregal Lodge is the Indian Institute of Advanced Studies, India’s premier academy  for higher  research. It stands in well-tended gardens with good views of the mountains.

The building was completed in 1888 and drew its architectural inspiration from the renaissance in Elizabethan England. Next to the lodge is a small aviary featuring, among other birds, the Monal pheasant (Himachal’s state bird). The aviary is open 10am to 5 pm daily (closed Monday)

Jhaku hill:- The steep climb  to Jakhu Hill, Shimla’s highest  point, is rewarding , for there are superb  views  of the town  and its surroundings. At the top, there is a temple ( 2.4 kms.), This temple is known as Jhaku  Temple.

Summer Hill:- A pleasant  ‘suburb ‘5 kms. from town, is a stop on the Shimla-Kalka railway. It’s also famous because Mahatma Gandhi once stayed at the Raj Kumari Amrit Kaur Mansion here.

Chadwick Falls (1586 mts.) : Just beyond  Summer Hill is the 67 mts. waterfall, cascading into a deep gorge. The Falls are best seen after the monsoon. (7 Kms.)

Prospect Hill (2175 mts.): A 15 minute climb from Boileauganj, Prospect Hill is another favourite walk and vantage point with breathtaking views. There is a little temple to Kamna Devi on the top of the hill (5 kms.).

Sanjauli (2257 mts.): A serene location with delightful walks, Sanjauli  is ideal for a tranquil weekend. There are fine vistas and the lights of Shimla and Chail can be seen twinkling at night. On the other side, Mashobra and Naldehra are visible.

Local Festivals:

June:- Summer festivals include  cultural  programmes  from Himachal  and neighbouring  states, art and  handicrafts  exhibition.

Temples
Among the little temples dotted around Shimla is the ancient temple of Bihargaon-a  splendid example of traditional Himachal architecture. Just short of Shimla are the temples of Tara Devi and Sankat Mochan (8 kms.).

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