Shimla is a place that has been untouched by commercialization and globalization. If you are planning to trip to this beautiful place and have some relaxation during travelling then theotherhome.com will be the best place to choose the proper resorts in shimla.
2. SHIMLA
Location of Shimla:
Shimla is ideally located in the
arms of Himalayas at an
altitude of 2202.00 Meters. It
has got a scenic location, it is
surrounded by green hills with
snow capped peaks. The
spectacular cool hills
accompanied by the structures
made during the colonial era
creates an aura which is very
different from other hill.
4. Shimla, formerly known as Simla, is the capital city of the Indian state of Himachal
Pradesh, located in northern India. In 1864, Shimla was declared as the summer capital
of British India. After independence, the city became the capital of Punjab and was later
named the capital of Himachal Pradesh.
Geographic and Topographic Aspects
The mean elevation of the town is 2202.00 Meters.
Most of the town lies between 2,100 m and 2,300 m
Climate :
Summers: Minimum: 15 C , Maximum : 27o C
Winters: Minimum: 0o C., Maximum: 17 o C.
Area: 5,131 km²
Population: Approx.1.25 million
Languages Spoken: Himachali (Pahari), Hindi, Punjabi and English.
Religion: Mostly Hindu. Also Sikh, Muslim and Christian.
5. SPECIAL INTEREST
Nature
Shimla has been blessed with all the natural bounties which one can think of. It has got a
scenic location, it is surrounded by green hills with snow capped peaks. The spectacular
cool hills accompanied by the structures made during the colonial era creates an aura which
is very different from other hill. Some routes offer a greater variety of Shimla
trees, shrubs, wildflowers and ferns. If you are lucky some bird species can also be sighted.
Some suggested places are: The Glen, The Bharari spur.
Colonial Architecture
Most of Shimla has diverse colonial forms culled from all over Europe.
English Renaissance, English Home Counties Marketplace: The Mall, Norman- Baronial:
District Courts, Tudor: The Library on the Ridge and Barnes Court, Churches
.
Shopping
Handicrafts. Shawls and tweeds. Fruit juice and jams. Honey. Quality woollens. Silver
jewellery. Rare books and etchings. Contemporary pahari miniature paintings. Metalware.
Rugs and carpets. Handmade footwear. Wooden items like walking sticks.
6. Adventure
Tattapani
Nardera
Narkanda
Kufri
Spirituality
Jakhu temple
Sankat Mochan temple
St Christ n Michael’s Cathedral
Tara Devi
Kali Bari
Heritage
Himachal State
Museum & Library
Viceregal Lodge
The ridge
Wildlife
Daranghati Sanctuary
Kurfi Wildlife Park
Chail Wildlife Sanctuary
Romance
Potter hill
Summer hill
Prospect hill
Glenn
7. HERITAGE
Himachal State Museum & Library
:
The museum is located 2.5-km west of
the scandal point and opens daily except
on Mondays and public holidays. It has got
a good collection of ancient historical
sculptures, paintings, coins, photos and
other items from all over the state as well
as outside it. It has also got a library, which
houses many historical books
and manuscripts. Visiting hours are from
10 AM to 5 PM and it is closed on Monday
and gazetted holidays.
8. Viceregal Lodge :
It also known as "Rashtrapati Niwas".
This magnificent building was the
residence of the British Viceroy
Lord Dufferin. This lodge was
completed in 1888 and it is said that
every brick for the building was carried
by mules. This is a six-story building
and is surrounded by well-maintained
gardens and lawns. The lodge has now
been converted into Institute of
Advanced Study and is further 2-km
from State Museum.
The Ridge
The large open space in the heart of
town presents excellent view of the
mountain ranges. Shimla's landmarks -
the Neo-Gothic structure of Christ
Church and the new - Tudor Library
building is worth seeing.
9. SPIRITUAL PLACES
Christ Church & St. Michael's
Cathedral :
Built in 1846-1857, Christ Church is
the second oldest church of Northern
India. The Church overlooks the ridge
and is one of the landmarks of Shimla.
The Church's exquisite beauty comes
with the stained glasses that are fitted
on its windows. The town's other
important churches are St. Michael's
Cathedral and Roman Catholic
Cathedral, which is just off the Mall
10. Jakhu Temple :
Dedicated to Lord Hanuman, this temple is at
an altitude of 8048 feet above sea level near
the highest point of Shimla ridge. It offers a
panoramic view over the surrounding valleys
, out to the snowcapped peaks, and over the
town itself. The temple is a 45-minute walk
from the Ridge, one can also hire pony or taxi
to visit temple.
Sankat Mochan :
On Shimla-Kalka road at a distance of around
5 KMs is the famous "Lord Hanuman"
temple. Situated at an altitude of 1,975m, it
commands an excellent view of
Shimla town. Temple has beautiful campus
and Langar is held every Sunday.
11. Tara Devi :
On Shimla-Kalka road, this holy place is
accessible by rail, bus and car (11-km). It’s
around 20 KMs journey from the town.
Situated on top of a hill that faces
Shimla, the temple offers panoramic views of
Shimla town and surrounding hills. It is famous
picnic spot.
Kali Bari :
The temple is situated near to The Mall and its
5 minutes walk from The Mall. The temple is
dedicated to Shyamala Devi (Shimla is named
after this goddess), an incarnation of Goddess
Kali. Temple faces heavy rush during Diwali
and Durga Puja as many Bengalis visit this
temple
12. Prospect Hill : Crowned by a temple
dedicated to Kamna Devi, it’s a 15-minutes
walk from Boileauganj on Shimla-Bilaspur
road. The hill at an altitude of 2,155m offers a
spectacular view of the area.
Potter Hill : Situated at a distance of 1 Km
from Summer Hill, it’s is very beautiful Picnic
spot with all the natural beauty. Ecological Park
is situated here.
ROMANCE
Summer Hill : At an altitude of 1,283m, 1
KM from boilaeuganj. Summer Hill is a
picturesque spot on Shimla-Kalka Railway
line. HP University is also situated here.
13. Glenn :
It’s about 4 km walk from the Ridge
through dense Forests, a sprightly
stream flows through the Glen forests
at an altitude of 1830 meters. It is a
secluded picnic spot.
Annandale :
Beyond the Glen is Annandale, another
picnic spot. It is covered with deodar
forests and was once the playgrounds of
Shimla, where racing, polo and cricket
entertained the Britishers. Surrounded by
deodar trees, this glade has an ancient
temple on the edge.
14. ADVENTURE
Trekking : Equipment, training and instructors
are available. And then, all this comes at a
fraction of what it would cost elsewhere in the
world.
Fishing : Fishing is available at Tattapani 46 km
from Shimla. No fishing is allowed during the
following seasons:
1st June to 31st July (General water)
1st November to 31 January.
Skiing : Skiing is possible at Narkanda and Kufri
(January–mid-March).
Golf : At Naldera, 23 km from beyond Shimla is
one of the oldest golf courses in India.
Ice Skating : The Shimla ice-skating rink has
the largest open-air area with naturally frozen ice
in this part of the world. Ice-skating normally
begins in early December and carries on to
February.
15. WILDLIFE IN SHIMLA
Daranghati Sanctuary
This wildlife park of Shimla is the abode to the species like
Monal, Tragopan, Koklas and Kalij. The park also has a number of Musk
deer, Goral and Thar.
Kurfi Wildlife Park
This consists of Himalayan Brown Bear, Sloth Bear, Panther, Snow
Leopard, Tibetian Wolf, Barking deer, Ghoral, Sambar, Himalayan
Thar, Yak and Black Bear.
Chail Wildlife Sanctuary
This includes animals like Sambar, Goral, Himalayan Black Bear, Red
Deer, Silver-White Oak, Barking Deer, Leopard, Rhesus
Macaque, Himalayan Yellow Throated Marten, Porcupine, Common Giant
and Kashmiri flying Squirrel and Chir.
16. Churdhar Sanctuary
This sanctuary is situated at Solan in Shimla. Major
attractions of this place are Monals, Black Bear, Barking
Deer, Musk Deer, Common Langur and Leopards.
Pin Valley National Park
With its snow laden unexplored higher reaches and slopes, the
Park forms a natural habitat for a number of endangered
animals including the Snow Leopard and Siberian Ibex.
Majathal Sanctuary
Located in the Spiti valley, this park is the habitat of Ibex and
Bharal. which shelters rare breeds like Gorals and Cheer
Pheasants.
17. SITES NEARBY
Wild Flower Hall (13KM) :
13 km from Shimla, is the Wild Flower
Hall situated at an altitude of 2,498 m. It
commands a breathtaking view of the
snows.
Mashobra (10KM) :
Situated at a height of 2149 mt. . A place of unique
beauty, Mashobra is an ideal interlude beneath the oaks
and the pines. Dotted with delightful villas and
innumerable picnic spots. Goddess Durga temple is
worth seeing. A fair is held here every April/May.
18. Kufri (16KM) :
Kufri, at distance of 16 km from Shimla and at an
altitude of 2510 m above sea level, is a site
offering some famous hikes and wonderful snow
for skiing in winters. The Himalayan Nature Park
here has a good collection of animals and birds
found in the region.
Chail (43KM) :
It was the former capital of the Patiala State. It has
the world’s highest cricket ground at a height of
2250 m, built in 1893. There is a wildlife sanctuary
at a distance of 3 km from here. Himachal Tourism
runs the Palace Hotel.
Fagu (22KM) :
Fagu Situated on Hindustan-Tibet Road (22-
km), at a height of 2,450m Fagu is gifted with
some enchanting views. Himachal Tourism runs
the Hotel peach Blossom.
19. THINGS TO BUY
There is an enormous range of goods that Shimla has to offer like handicrafts, wood, and
metalwork, shawls, pullovers, local tweeds, Wooden articles and Toys, caps.
There are many Emporium's and Showrooms on the Mall from where one can buy Himachali
Shawls, Pahari Cap, Pullovers etc. The Tibetan Market is famous for imported goods mainly
electronics goods and fancy items.
20. FAMOUS DANCES
Shimla is a place that has been untouched by commercialization and globalization. It is very
different from rest of the Indian states and has retained its old world charm. The culture of
Shimla is such that it portrays a sound balance between traditional values and modern
thoughts. The cultural heritage of Shimla is very traditional and rural.
Dance is basically religion oriented. The major dance forms of Shimla are:
Kayang Dance, Bakayang dance, Jataru Kayang dance, Chohara dance, and Rasa dance.
21. CUISINE
Mall has many good restaurants serving Punjabi, South Indian, Chinese and
Continental Foods. One can find good Punjabi Dhabas and Vaishnav Dhabas
near the mall and lower bazaar having reasonable rates. There are many Fast
Food Centers on the Mall, where Burgers, Pizzas, Patties etc are available.
22. HOW TO REACH SHIMLA
Reach Shimla By Road
Shimla is well connected with the cities like
Chandigarh, Delhi, Dehradun and Kalka though
roadways. You can hire taxis as well as state buses
to reach the hill station from these cities. There are
even regular bus services from the nearby places
to Shimla such as Kullu (235 km), Manali (280
km), Delhi (370 km) and Ambala (154 km). From
the capital of India, one can even take luxury
buses and cabs which will provide a comfortable
journey.
Access to Shimla by road is made possible by the
well-maintained and efficient network of
roadways and National Highway 22 that links the
town with Chandigarh.
23. Reach Shimla By Train
The nearest station is Kalka which connects the city with
different parts of the country by rail line. There are quite a
good number of trains from the cities like Delhi and Calcutta.
From Kalka station, one can take the pleasure of toy train as
well as can hire private cabs to explore the beauty of this city.
The city boasts of three railway stations with Shimla, being
the main station with other two located at Summer Hill and
Totu (Jutogh) respectively.
Reach Shimla By Air
Located at a distance of 22 km away from the Shimla, the
Jubbarhatti airport is well connected to various other cities by
air. The other nearby airports such as Chandigarh Airport and
Delhi airport can be accessed easily. Shimla has its own
airport that offers connections for Delhi and Kullu. The
Jubbarhatti airport is 23-km from Shimla and major domestic
airlines cater their services from here to Shimla. One can catch
direct flights from Delhi. Chandigarh also well connected with
Delhi by many domestic flights, and is the gateway to Shimla.
24. DO’S AND DON’TS
DO’S
Read culture of Shimla i.e. about their traditions and perception
Know about the temperature prevailing at the time of visit
Proper planning is to be done to avoid wastage of time
Follow all instructions on roads for safe journey
Check about photography permission / video filming at any monument
Keep valuables in hotel locker / safe deposit vaults and get receipt
DONT’S
Avoid travelling to hilly areas and near rivers in rainy season
Don’t make obscure scenes on roads
Don’t travel without tickets in public transports
Don't accept food or drink from strangers.
Don't buy articles made from rare and endangered spices of animals which are banned.
Smoking and drinking is not allowed in public places
25. WHERE TO STAY
Krish Rauni Resort
Krish Rauni Resort, a beautiful homestay property approved by
Himachal Tourism, is situated at a height of 8,000 feet at Matiana in
Himachal Pradesh. The property is on the Hindustan Tibet Road
(NH22) – only 45 kms ahead of Shimla. To know more click here …
The Wilderness Resort
'The Wilderness’ is a holiday resort at Tannjiubbar. It is an
earnest attempt to offer the nature loving traveler a 'home
away from home'. Situated at a height of 9000 ft above the
sea level, near the skiing town of Narkanda, the resort is
owned and operated by a traditional family of apple
growers. Click here to Know More …..
Veer Garh homestay, the most exclusively located holiday
accommodation in Shimla, reminds the guests of an era gone by.
The property is perched on the hillside along the road to the
famous Tara Devi Temple in Shimla. Click Here to know more….
Veer Garh Homestay
26. THANK YOU
The Other Home
www.theotherhome.com
(Vacational Rental | Homestays | Outdoor
Adventure)
Tel: +91-11-65028027 / 26225380
Email : info@theotherhome.com
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