Shimla ~ The Queen Of Hills

Shimla is the Capital Town of Himachal Pradesh. It was formerly the summer capital during the British Rule. The town of Shimla is built over several hills and connecting ridges. The important hills are Jakhu(8050 ft), Prospect Hill (7140 ft), Observatory Hill ( 7050 ft), Elysium Hill (7400 ft), and Summer Hill (6900 ft). There is a great controversy over the origin of the name Shimla. The name Shimla was derived from 'Shyamalaya' meaning blue house said to be the name of house built of blue slate by a faqir on Jakhu. According to one version Shimla takes it name from 'Shamla' meaning a blue female another name for Goddess Kali. The place was on the Jakhu Hillside, there was a temple of Goddess Kali. During the British period the image of the Goddess was shifted to a new place ,now famous Kali Bari Temple. Shimla remained unnoticed during the Gurkha War. It was only in 1819 A.D. that the then Assistant Political Agent of hill states Lt. Ross set up first British residence, a mere wood cottage. His successor Lt. Charles Patt Kennedy' errected the first pucca house in 1822 named after Lt. Kennedy as 'Kennedy House'.

The construction of Hindustan Tibet road was started in 1850-51 commencing from Kalka and first lap was upto Shimla. The Road upto Shimla came to be used for wheeled traffic by 1860. A 560 feet long tunnel was constructed beyond Sanjauli.

In 1864 Shimla was declared as the summer capital of India. After Independence, Shimla became the capital of Punjab and was later named the capital of Himachal Pradesh. In 1903 a rail line was constructed between Kalka and Shimla.

Shimla has been blessed with all the natural bounties, one can think of. Dwelling on a panoramic location, the hilly town is surrounded by green pastures and snow-capped peaks. The spectacular cool hills accompanied by the structures made during the colonial era create an aura, which is very different from other hill stations. Bulging at its seams with unprecedented expansion, Shimla retains its colonial heritage, with grand old buildings, among them are the stately Viceregal Lodge, Charming iron lamp posts and Anglo-Saxon names. The Mall, packed with shops and eateries, is the centre of attraction of the town, and Scandal Point, associated with the former Maharaja of Patiala's escapades, offers a view of distant snow clad peaks. In 1946 leaders of the Indian nationalist movement came to Shimla for a crucial conference that paved the way to Independence. Shimla’s legacy of British control has left in somewhat of Aesthetic anomaly: an Indian town, a state capital, no less that looks and feels like a village in Northern England.

The completion of the Kalka-Shimla narrow-gauge railway line, in 1903, gave a fillip to the towns development. After Independence, Shimla was initially the capital of Punjab. Following the creation of Himachal Pradesh, in 1966, it was designated the capital of the Himachal Pradesh.

Climate

Shimla features a subtropical highland climate under the Koppen climate classification. The climate in Shimla is predominantly chilly during winters, and moderately warm during summers. The temperatures range from 3.95 °C (39.11 °F) to 32.95 °C (91.31 °F) over the year.^[18] The average temperature during summer is between 14 °C and 20 °C, and between -7 °C and 10 °Cin winter. Monthly precipitation varies between 24 mm in November to 415 mm in July. It is typically around 45 mm per month during winter and spring and around 115 mm in June as themonsoon approaches. The average total annual precipitation is 1520 mm (62 inches). Snowfall in the region, which historically has taken place in the month of December, has lately (over the last fifteen years) been happening in January or early February every year.

Transport

The Kalka-Shimla railway line, constructed in 1906, added to Shimla's accessibility and popularity. The railway route from Kalka to Shimla, with more than 806 Bridges and 103 tunnels, was touted as an engineering feat and came to be known as the "British Jewel of the Orient". In 2008, it became part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Mountain railways of India. Not only that, there was a significant Muslim population in the region before the partition of British India. In addition, Shimla was the capital of the undivided state of Punjab in 1871, and remained so until the construction of the new city of Chandigarh (the present-day capital of Punjab). Upon the formation of the state of Himachal Pradesh in 1971, Shimla was named its capital.

Local transport in Shimla is by bus or private vehicles. Buses ply frequently on the circular road surrounding the city centre. Tourist taxis are also an option for out of town trips. Locals typically traverse the city on foot. Private vehicles are prohibited on the mall, ridge, and nearby markets. Due to narrow roads and steep slopes, the auto rickshaws common in other Indian cities are largely absent.

Shimla is well-connected by road and rail. The National Highway 22 (NH 22) connects Shimla to the nearest big city of Chandigarh. The scenic Kalka Shimla Railway, a narrow gauge track, is listed in the Guinness Book of Records for the steepest rise in altitude in a distance of 96 km.^[37]Kalka, the plains rail terminus, has daily departures to major Indian cities. Flights from the airport at Jubbarhatti (12 km away)^[38] connect Shimla to Delhi.

By Air: Shimla Airport is at Jubbarhatti, 23 kms from the city and is connected to Chandigarh, Kullu and Delhi. Commercial service at the Jubbarhatti Airport is limited with six flights a week operating to and from Delhi, all operated by Jagson Airlines. Chandigarh offers far better options. Major airlines including Indian, Jet Airways and Air Deccan operate flights to Delhi, Jammu, and Mumbai (with a Delhi stop-over).

By Train: Shimla is connected to Kalka (96 kms) on narrow-gauge and it takes around 6 Hrs from Kalka to reach Shimla. There are 3-4 trains daily from Kalka to Shimla and vice-versa. This railway track has recently been granted the status of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The view is stunning, with the line passing through an amazing 103 tunnels, the longest being 1.2 km long. The fastest way to get to Kalka is to catch the Shatabdi Express, which departs early morning from the New Delhi Railway Station, arriving at Kalka four hours later or a number of other options from Delhi.

By Road: Shimla is connected by road to all the major towns. A few distances between the Major Towns and Shimla and duration of journey are mentioned below-

Kalka- 80 kms (3 - 3 ½ hours by bus or car)

Chandigarh- 119 Kms (3 ½ - 4 hours by bus or car)

Ambala - 166 Kms (4 ½ - 5 hours by bus or car)

Delhi - 370 Kms (8 - 9 hours by bus or car)

Places of interest

The Mall: The Mall is the main shopping street 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.

Christ Church: Situated on the Ridge, Christ Church is the second oldest church in Northern India. It has a very majestic appearance and inside there are stained glass windows which represent faith, hope, charity, fortitude, patience and humility. Christ Church is a place all visitors should spend some time in.

Jakhu Hill: 2 km 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 Lord 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 protect 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.

Indian Institute of Advanced Study: This institute is housed in the Viceregal Lodge, built in 1884-88.

Summer Hill: Situated at a distance of 5 km from the Ridge is the lovely township of Summer Hill at a height of 6,500 ft on the Shimla-Kalka railway line. Mahatma Gandhi lived in these quiet surroundings during his visits to Shimla. Himachal Pradesh University is situated here.

Annandale: Developed as the playground of Shimla, Annandale is 2–4 km from the Ridge at a height of 6,117 ft. It is a favourite spot for cricket, picnics and polo.

Tara Devi: 11 km from the Shimla bus-stand. Tara Devi hill has a temple dedicated to the goddess of stars on top of the hill. There is a military Dairy Town here as well as the headquarters of Bharat Scouts and Guides. Sankat Mochan: A Lord Hanuman temple is located here.

Junga: Junga is a Tehsi 26 km from Shimla ; its original name (with diacritics) is Jūnga and is a former royal retreat of the princely state of Junga (also known as Keonthal Estate).

Mashobra: 13 km from Shimla, site of the annual Sipi fair in June.

Kufri: 16 km from Shimla at a height of 8,600 ft, Kufri is the winter sports capital and also has a small zoo.

Chharabra: 13 km from Shimla on route to Kufri.

Naldehra: 22 km from Shimla, with a nine-hole Naldehra Golf Club. The annual Sipi fair in June is held in Naldehra.

Chail: Chail was the summer capital of the Maharaja of Patiala before Independence, known for its cricket pitch, the highest in the world.

Arki: (46 km) is the site of an 18th century fort built when Arki was the capital of the erstwhile hill state of Baghal

Tatapani: Location of sulphur springs which are found near the Tatapani mandir(holy temple)

Sanjauli: The main suburb of Shimla.

Manali - The Heaven of Earth..!!

Nestled in the Himalayan foothills, Manali is a hill station that is famous for its pristine ambience and carries significant religious importance. Tourists from all walks of life and from various countries flock this hill station in summer as well as in winter. Manali has a lot more to offer than just beautiful views and a scenic environment. It is famous for adventure sports such as mountaineering, paragliding, hiking, skiing and whitewater rafting. Furthermore, this Indian town is ideal for someone who has an inclination towards religion. Numerous Buddhist monasteries and Hindu temples give a divine aura to this place which is near the source of the Beas River. This town also offers many side trips to nearby tourist attractions and is a melting pot for people who enjoy quite treks in this valley. Also called as the Switzerland of India, this town has much to offer to tourists and pilgrims alike.


Flights Manali is located in the northern corner of the Kullu valley in the state of Himachal Pradesh. The nearest airport is Bhuntar which is a small town located about thirty miles from Manali. Flights are available from Delhi as well as Chandigarh; however the prices are higher as there are fewer passengers and the planes are smaller. It’s advisable not to carry too much luggage if you fly to the place since only a limited amount of baggage is allowed on the airplane. Also be ready for unexpected delays in winter and Monsoon due to the weather conditions.

By road The town is connected to Delhi, Chandigarh, Dharamsala, and Leh and it takes around eighteen hours to reach Manali from Delhi. Although this is a frugal option, it can be uncomfortable as a complete day is spent in getting there and not recommended for people who are visiting India for the first time. Taxis are also available from Delhi and are a little expensive compared to buses; however make sure that you hire an experienced driver who has visited the hill station before.
By rail The Town is connected by rail to two major cities; Chandigarh and Ambala Cantonment. However it is better to choose Chandigarh as your starting point since you will have to travel to Ambala first and it takes around ten hours by road from Delhi to Ambala. Traveling by rail in India is one of the best options if you want a comfortable as well as low-priced method of getting anywhere. Make sure that you book your tickets well in advance and choose the air conditioned coach as it not as overcrowded as other coaches.

Local travel Once you have reached this beautiful hill station, there are various options for local travel and you can choose among these depending on your budget, the season, and the duration of your stay. Many tourists hire a taxi for getting around the town and the usual charge can be anywhere from INR 1000 to INR 1500 ($20-$30) for a single day. If you are planning a short sojourn then this option is the best as you will not compromise on comfort and enjoy many tourist attractions in a single day. Another option is to hire a bike and the cost is approximately ten to fifteen dollars a day depending on the season. The local Indian government buses are not recommended as they are unreliable and not very frequent. Rickshaws are also another option but they are expensive and a little uncomfortable compared to taxi cabs.

Sightseeing

Rohtang Pass The Rohtang pass is at an altitude of 3979 meters or 13,050 feet from the sea level and offers some breathtaking views. However, this pass is closed during winters because of heavy snow and is cold even in the summer months. The Pass is almost an hour’s drive from the hill station and it can take a complete day for you to reach the place and get back to Manali.

The Hidimba Devi Temple This temple was built in the 1500’s and carries immense religious importance in Hinduism. This place holds significance in the Mahabharata Epic in which the exiled Pandavas were threatened and attacked by Hidimb who was a Raskhas (demon). A fight ensued between Bheema (one of the Pandavas) and Hidimb was killed in the battle. However, Bheema later married Hidimb’s sister Hidimba giving birth to a great warrior named Ghatotkach who had a pivotal role to play in Mahabharata. The temple is thronged by tourists and visitors and is unique since it is very old and is located in a cave.


Vashist Hot Water Springs These are medicinal springs that are supposed to have a salubrious effect and are not far away from Manali itself. Located approximately one mile from the town, these springs are equipped with Turkish baths for the convenience of tourists. There are two temples dedicated to saint Vashist and the smaller one has beautiful and elaborate wood carvings. The temple tanks are the underground hot water springs that contain sulfur which gives the water medicinal properties.

Tibetan Monasteries There are many Tibetan monasteries in Manali and are worth seeing; some of the famous monasteries include the Thekchoking Gompa which is near ‘the mall’ and was constructed in 1969. The highest concentration of Buddhist monasteries is here in Manali and the Thekchoking Gompa also offers hand woven carpets which bring in some revenue to keep the monastery running. Another famous monastery is the Himalayan Nyingamapa Gompa which is smaller than Thekchoking Gompa but is beautiful, with flowers blooming around the place.


Solang Valley This place is thronged by tourists who are in search of adventure sports and some adrenalin. The valley offers various recreational activities to tingle your adrenal glands and is most visited during winter. Some of the adventure sports that can be enjoyed are skiing, paragliding, skating, and parachuting. However, some of these sports cannot be enjoyed in the summer but you can always go for Zorbing which is a sport in which two people are put inside a giant ball and rolled down a 200 meter hill.

Manikaran This place is also known for its hot springs and is also a pilgrimage site for Hindus and Sikhs. The place has mythological importance and is a good place only if you are interested in visiting temples and other places of worship.

Old Manali Old Manali is much more tranquil and peaceful compared to Manali town since the town is filled with honeymooners and families from all over India. It is crowded in the summer and is only good for making travel reservations or shopping. However old Manali is good for people who want the distinctive village atmosphere and charm rather than the hustle and bustle of the town. It is a good place for quiet morning walks and short treks. You can also enjoy the local wine in old Manali which costs around five dollars (American) a bottle.

Hotels Since Manali is a tourist attraction, there are numerous hotels ranging from the luxurious to small lodges for short and frugal stays. Some of the best hotels are The Picadily (the mall, city center), Hotel Manali Ashok (left bank aloe, Manali), Ambassador Resort (Sunny side, Chadiyari), and Holiday Inn (Prini, Manali). These are four star hotels that are located in the town; however more luxurious hotels can be found in the suburban areas of Manali.


Cuisine Manali has a potpourri of delicacies and staple diets to offer and food from many cultures and countries has found its way into the local restaurants and eateries. The local food is similar to Indian food albeit the recipes are different. You can enjoy various Indian cuisines such as the Gujarati ‘Thali’ or even pamper your taste buds with Tibetan delights. The German bakery in Old Manali is one of the melting pots for foreigners and tourists who want fresh palatable baked goods. Apple orchards also dot the scenic landscape and fresh apples can be bought at a very low price. Avoid roadside eateries and seedy hotels if you are visiting India for the first time. However, the In-House restaurants of premium hotels are good places for foreigners who are particular about hygienic gastronomy.


Safety Manali is a safe place for tourists; however caution is advised since this place is also the hub of Marijuana and Hashish smokers who can indulge in the vice since the plant grows like a weed here. Do not accept anything to smoke from a stranger and always keep your baggage sealed and visible. Drug smuggling is not uncommon in Manali and many peddlers come here to transport their contraband to other places in India and all over the world. Moreover, do not venture outside after midnight as it may not be safe since this is a sparsely populated hilly area.

Manali In Winters (Below)

Manali In Summer (Below)

Beas River, Manali (Below)