Shimla Travel Guide

Another name of Shimla is 'Queen of Hills'. It is the capital city of Himachal Pradesh, which is one of the hilly states in Northern India. Situated at an altitude of 2,100 meters above sea level, its name derives from Goddess Shayamla Devi, another morph of Goddess Kali. It was the summer capital before independence during the British era.

The feel of Shimla can be seen changing with the change in weather. Where it can be seen as a white beauty during the winters when it is covered with snow, on the other hand during spring season, its valleys are covered with various varieties of colourful wild flowers.


Tourism in Shimla

1857 revolution in India was spread throughout most of the country but there was no effect on Shimla during that time. In 1863, the Viceroy of India John Lawrence decided to shift the summer capital of British India from Calcutta to Shimla. The main reason behind this shifting was to escape the heat of Indian summer. Due to this decision, the capital used to switch twice in a year between Shimla and Calcutta on regular basis.

In 1876, Lord Lytton started palnning of establishing the city of Shimla. He also planned for various administrative offices and other buildings such as Town Hall, Library, theatres etc. The summer capital of the Punjab regional government was moved from Murree which is now located in Pakistan to Shimla.

The Kalka Shimla railway line was built by the government in 1906 which amplified the popularity and the accessibility of Shimla.. The railway line was known as the British Jewel of Orient. Shimla remained the capital of the Punjab till the construction of the new city which is known as the Chandigarh nowadays.

An Insight into Shimla Tourism

Places to visit in Shimla

The Mall : The Mall is situated in the heart of Shimla city. It is the chief shopping centre in Shimla which has many showrooms, restaurants and clubs. It is also one of the most preferred spots for strolling and meeting by the localities as well as tourists. It is one of the most visited commercial areas of this place. It was constructed and laid by the British during the colonial rule in India.

Christ Church : The second oldest Church in Northern India, it is located on the Ridge near to The Mall. Painted in yellow colour, it is one of the historical buildings of Shimla which was completed in 1899. It is one of the monuments which always reminds you about your trip to Shimla.

Jakhu Temple : Jakhu temple is situated at an altitude of 8,000 feet, 2 km away from centre of Shimla. It is the highest peak of Shimla and a temple of Hanuman is located here on the top of the hill. Covered by the dense Deodar forests, it is a habitat of a number of naughty monkeys.

Shimla State Museum : Shimla state museum, which has been built in colonial style, was opened in 1974. It houses a huge collection of ancient arms, coins, paintings, sculptures, photographs and handicrafts. It is located at a distance of 2 km from the center of the city and is a must visit during your tour to Shimla.

Indian Institute of Advanced Studies : One of the most magnificent historical buildings built during British era, it is also known as Viceregal Lodge. It was completed in 1888. Partition agreement between India and Pakistan was also signed here. It was earlier known as Rashtrapati Niwas as President of India used to stay here during his tour to Shimla .

Naldehra : Naldehra is located at a distance of around 22 km from Shimla. Naldehra has one of the beautiful and well maintained nine hole golf course surrounded by Deodar jungles. It is one of the most famous tourist attractions of Shimla.


How To Reach Shimla

How to reach Shimla by Air: Jubarhati, which is at 23 kilometers separation from the town, is the closest air terminal. There are normal flights going from Jubbarhatti to Chandigarh and Delhi. You can without much of a stretch get a taxi from the airplane terminal to get to Shimla.

How to reach Shimla by Train : The little railroad station in Shimla is only 1 kilometer far from the focal point of the town and is associated with Kalka by a thin check rail track. The well-known toy rail of Shimla goes amongst Kalka and Shimla, covering a separation of 96 kilometers in around 7 hours. Kalka thus is the closest rail head, which is associated with Chandigarh and Delhi by standard trains. You can take the Kalka Shatabdi, which goes from New Delhi Railway Station to Kalka Railway Station through Chandigarh.

How to reach Shimla by Road :There are a few transport administrations including Himachal Road Transport Corporation transports and in addition private administrators associating Shimla to the significant urban communities in North India. Chandigarh is at a separation of 117 kilometers, Manali at 260 kilometers and Delhi at 343 kilometers. On the off chance that you are going from Delhi, you can take a medium-term aerated and cooled extravagance transport from ISBT Kashmiri Gate. Transports go toward the beginning of the day or later during the evening - timings can shift from season to season.


Best Time to Visit Shimla

Shimla has amazing climate and sightseers can go to Shimla whenever they wish to go in whole of the year. The summers in Shimla are greatly wonderful with the normal temperature around 20 degrees. The pinnacle vacationer season in Shimla is from March to June, as this is the time that the snow has dissolved and the climate is charming for the individuals who have been endeavoring to get away from the unforgiving summers of the fields. After June, the rainstorm season begins, which makes it somewhat badly arranged to movement around the town. Post September, the climate begins getting to be colder and it begins snowing periodically by the mid of December till the finish of February.

Shimla Map

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