An Insight :
The capital of Himachal Pradesh and former summer capital of British India,
Shimla is the state’s most important center. Bulging at its seams with
unprecedented expansion, Shimla retains a colonial aura, with its grand old
buildings, among them the stately Viceregal Lodge, charming iron lampposts
and Anglo-Saxon names. The Mall, packed with shops and eateries, is the
center of attraction, and Scandal Point, associated with the former Maharaja
of Patiala’s escapades, offers a view of distant snowclad peaks.
Shimla’s mood changes with the seasons, each having its own charm.
Perhaps the best time of the year is autumn. When the days are warm and
bright and the nights crisp and cool.
In spite of changes and considerable growth since independence, Shimla,
perhaps more than any other place, still persents substantial evidence of an
attempt by the sahibs to build an English town in India. Architectural style
of buildings long forgotten are still evident here. Shimla, originally a
small obscure village surrounded by splendid forests, is said to have been
the abode of goddess Shamla. History records that in 1822, a young officer,
Major Kennedy, built the first permanent residence in Shimla. By 1831,
Shimla was already established as ‘the resort of the rich, the idle and
the invalid’. In 1870, the Viceregal Lodge was built as the summer
residence of the Viceroy of India, and since then there has been no looking
back for the hill resort. The capital was even further established when, in
1904, the longest mountain train in India commenced its maiden Journey from
Kalka to Shimla.
Lets Explore The Hill Station of Shimla :
The Mall: The Mall is the main shopping centre of Shimla. It also has many
restaurants, clubs, banks, bars, Post Offices and tourist offices. The
Gaiety Theatre is also situated there. People walk up and down the Mall
slowly, stopping to gossip, as it is the main meeting place for everyone.
The Ridge and Scandal point are the two main meeting points at the Mall.
» Jakhu Hill - 2 kms. from Shimla, at a height of
8000 ft, Jakhu Hill is the highest peak and offers a beautiful view of the
town and of the snow-covered Himalayas. At the top of the Hill, is an old
temple of Hanuman, which is also the home of countless playful monkeys
waiting to be fed by all visitors.
» Shimla State Museum - The Museum, which was
opened in 1974, has tried to project hill-out and the cultural wealth of the
state. There is a collection of miniature Pahari paintings, sculptures,
bronzes wood-carvings and also costumes, textiles and jewellery of the
region.
» Kufri - 16 kms. from Shimla at a height of 8,600
ft. Kufri is the winter sports capital. During winter, visitors have the
facility for skiing. The skiing season is at its best during January and
February. Equipment for sking is available from HPTDC winter sports club at
Kufri. Apart from skiing, Kufri is a lovely picnic spot with a beautiful
view of the hills around and the snowy peaks. There is also a zoo that
delights children.
Shimla is the best market for the handicrafts of Himachal Pradesh. Woollen
and pashmina shawls, decorative items, handmade shoes, dolls, woollen caps,
carved wooden sticks, toys and other items made form wood are made in Shimla
itself and are on sale in the Lakkar Bazar. Tibetan jewellery and trinkets
are found in the small Tibetan shops near the Ridge.
Shimla has the only natural ice-skating rink in India. An Ice-skating
Carnival is arranged every year by the Ice-skating Club during January.
During this festival, members display their skill on ice and participate in
a fancy dress competition.
The summer festival in Shimla offers the best entertainment of the year.
Artistes are invited from all parts of Himachal Pradesh and from other parts
of the country to entertain visitors with song, dance and music both Indian
and Western.
Where is Shimla?
» By Air - Shimla does have its own airport, 26
kms from the city, which is connected to Delhi and Kullu by Turbo- prop
aircraft. The nearby Chandigarh airport is, however, more handy as it is
connected to all the major airports in India.
» By Road - Kalka, the nearst main line rail
station for Shimla, is connected to Delhi by Superfast Shatabdi Express
trains. From Kalka to Shimla, there is a Himalayan train, also called a toy
train, which covers the remaining 96 kilometers. The journey by train, which
takes about six hours, crossing 103 tunnels is one of the finest ways of
enjoying the scenic beauty.
» By Train - Shimla is well connected by road with
Kalka (100 kms), Chandigarh (120 kms) and Delhi (385 kms).
