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Shimla – Places of Interest

 

JAKHOO (HILL) TEMPLE

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Access by car, pony treck, 2 from town, 2,455 mts, the highest point of Shimla., pony walk from ridge. Read more about Jakhoo Temple

THE RIDGE

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This large open space in the heart of town presents excellent views of the mountain ranges. Read more about Ridge

THE MALL

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All visitors to Shimla inevitably walk down the Mall, the main promenade that runs along the top of the ridge…Scandal Point..

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At 1983m, this magnificent English renaissance structure was the former Viceregal Lodge. Its lawns and woodland are added attractions. Entry by ticket ( nominal charge ). A portion of the interior is also open to the public, except on Sundays and holidays. Read more about Mall

CHAIL (45km)

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This was the former ‘summer capital’ of the Patiala State. The palace in now run as a luxury hotel by Himachal Tourism…Read more About Chail

Tara Devi Temple

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Tara Devi temple is located 11 km from Shimla. Tara Devi temple is famous tourist attraction of the Shimla. The temple is dedicated to Goddess Tara. The meaning of Tara is Star. Tara Devi temple is situated at the top of a hill in Shimla. The Tara Devi temple was established 250 years ago. According to legend the Goddess Tara Devi was brought from west Bengal to Himachal Pradesh. Read more about Tara Devi Temple.

Narkanda

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Narkanda is a beautiful town in Shimla district of Himachal Pradesh. The altitude of Narkanda is 2708 meters. Narkanda lies between 31.27°N and 77.45°E. Narkanda is situated 65 km from Shimla. Narkanda is surrounded by beautiful Shivalik mountains. Narkanda is famous for skiing and angling and winter sports. The skiing at Narkanda was started in 1980. HPTDC conducting skiing courses every year. Read more about Narkanda.

Kufri

Kufri - A beautiful hill station near Shimla

An Himalayan Nature park and Indira Tourist Park with HPTDC’s Cafe Lalit are major attractions at Kufri. Once can have panoramic and beautiful views great views of nearby places from Indira Park. One can have a Pony, Horse and a Yak Ride, at reasonable prices, provided you are good at bargaining.In other adventure activities, one can participate on a visit to Kufri are Hiking, snow skiing, capturing beautiful scenes of nature, landscape and forest in a cool environment. Kufri is famous for trekking and hiking trails in particular. Adventure-seeking travelers from across the world visit Kufri in winters to enjoy skiing and tobogganing along its snow-covered slopes. Read more about Kufri .

The institute of Advanced Studies

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The Institute started functioning at Shimla on 20th October,1965 when it was formally inaugurated by the then President of India, Professor S. Radhakrishnan. The Institute aims at free and creative enquiry into the fundamental themes and problems of life and thought. It is a residential centre for research and encourages promotion of creative thought in areas which have deep human significance, and provides.an environment suitable for academic research, particularly in selected subjects in the Humanities, Indian Culture, Comparative Religion, Social and Natural Sciences and such other areas as the Institute may, from time to time, decide. Read more about The institute of Advanced Studies 

Other places

NAV BAHAR: Behind Saint Bede’s College is Himachal’s forticulture and fruit processeong unit…..

LAKKAR BAZAR: Popular for its wood crafts and Souvenirs, this is just off the Ridge.

ST. MICHAEL’S CATHEDRAL: This dressed-stone church with fine stained glass has a cruciform design. It is located just off the Mall, below the District Courts.

STATE MUSEUM (3km): This houses a representative collection of Himachal Pradesh’s rich heritage. Exhibits include archaeological artifacts, carvings,paintings and sculptures. Closed on Monday and holidays.

THE GLEN (4km): At 1830m, It is a thickly wooded ravine through which a stream flows. It is a popular picnic spot.

ANNANDALE (4.5km) : Surrounded by a thick deodar forest, this large glade has an ancient temple on an edge.

PROSPECT HILL AND KAMNA DEVI (6km) : At 2125m and crowned by a temple dedicated to Kamna Devi, the Hill offers spectacular wide views of the city and its environs.

SANKAT MOCHAN (7km): This is a temple dedicated to Lord Hanuman.

TARA DEVI (11km): 2044m, A thickly wooded hill whose peak has a temple dedicated to Tara Devi.

MASHOBRA (12km): At 2149m, this beautiful suburb is surrounded by a thick forests. From here, a track leads down to Sipur which is an exquisite glade shaded by ancient deodar trees. There are old temples on a side and a fair is held every April.

KUFRI (16km): At 2501m, this is famous for its wide views and ski slopes. An enjoyable walk leads up to the Mahasu Peak. At Kufri, Himachal Tourism runs the Cafe Lalit.

FAGU (22km): At 2510m, Fagu has some enchanting views. Himachal Tourism runs the Hotel Peach Blossom (presently under renovation).

TATTAPANI (51km) : At 656m, there are hot sulphur springs here. Himachal Tourism has a restaurant and Tourist Bungalow at Tattapani.

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Books about Himachal Pradesh

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Here is a list of books about Himachal Pradesh.

Shimla – General Information

History of Shimla

The word ‘Shimla’ derived from ‘Shyamala Devi‘, another name of the Hindu Goddess Kaali. The altar at Jakhoo Hill was initially shifted by the British to the place known as Kali Bari Temple at present. The hill station is enveloped by seven hills that include Jakhoo Hill, Bantony Hill, Prospect Hill, Summer Hill, Observatory Hill, Invererarm Hill and Elysium Hill.

The historic Hindustan Tibet Road was commissioned in 1850 commencing from Kalka to Shimla and thereafter to the China ruled, Tibet. In 1864, the town of Shimla was declared as the summer capital of the British Empire in India. Another major event in the history of the Shimla was laying of the foundation stone for the Kalka-Shimla railway in 1903.

The vast majority of the area occupied by the present-day Shimla city was dense forest during the 18th century. The only civilization consisted of the Jakhoo temple and a few scattered houses. The area was called ‘Simla’, named after a Hindu goddess, Shyamala Devi. The bridge connecting Shimla with Chhota Shimla, originally erected in 1829 by Lord Combermere, Shimla, 1850s. The area of present-day Shimla was ruled by Bhimsen Thapa of Nepal in 1806. The British East India Company took control of the territory as per the Sugauli Treaty after the Anglo-Nepalese War (1814–16). In a diary entry dated 30 August 1817, the Gerard brothers, who surveyed the area, describe Shimla as “a middling-sized village where a fakir is situated to give water to the travellers”. In 1819, Lieutenant Ross, the Assistant Political Agent in the Hill States, set up a wood cottage in Shimla.

Location

Shimla district lies between 30°45′ and 31°44 North Latitude and between 77°0′ and 78°19′ East Longitude. It touches Mandi and Kullu in North, Kinnaur in the East, Uttar Pradesh in the South and Sirmaur district in the West.

Shimla - General Information
Shimla Southern side of the Ridge

Shimla – As a Tourist place

The capital of the state of Himachal Pradesh, India. Well known as the Queen of Hills, is an all time destination for tourists, for lovers of nature and solitude. In the early 19th century passing through various phases of Gurkha wars the young Major Kennedy decided to build the first permanent residence in 1822 to get relief from the heat of the planes and settle in cool, healthy climate. Situated on the lower spurs on North-West Himalyas at a height of 2205 meters it has always enticed and cast a spell on anyone who set ones foot on these slopes once.

Shimla – Climate

Climate Summer Max. 29*C. Min. 07* C.
Climate Winters Max. 18* C. Min. -03* C.

Access

Airways: Nearest airport is Jubbarhatti, 23 km from Shimla.

Train: Connected by narrow gauge to Kalka 96 km from Shimla. Although Kalka is connected to other destinations like Delhi, Kolkata and Amritsar by broad gauge further, train takes about 6 hours from Kalka to Shimla.

Roadways: Accessible throughout the year from all major cities and town by road, all kinds of services available on the road. You can find more information on railway and travel reservation by clicking here

Climate

In winter, the temperature can drop below freezing point when heavy woolens are required. Summer temperature are mild and light woollens/cottons are recommended.

Some major road distances
Delhi 370 km
Manali 280 km
Dharamshala 280 km
Chandigarh 117 km
Chamba 396km
Dalhousie 398 Km
Kullu 229 Km

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Pilgrimages in Himachal Pradesh

Himachal Pradesh is one place where pilgrimage and nature both blend in perfect harmony. With some world known temples and monasteries, pilgrimage is a natural tourist attraction here. The legends and mysteries of the pilgrimages here just go deeper than one can expect. The temples here turn into centers of huge gatherings and attraction during festivals and fairs.

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