Shimla
Shimla also spelt Simla, is one of India’s most famous hill stations was the former summer capital of the British in India, and the present capital of Himachal Pradesh, Shimla offers a wonderful experience to the tourists.
The salubrious air and scenic views of the Himalayas accompanied by the structures made during the colonial era creates an aura which is very different from other hill stations.
Shimla derives its name from Goddess Shyamala, an incarnation of Goddess Kali, the deity of power and wrath. However, unlike its name, Simla is a perfect heaven for the ones in search of tranquility.
Nature has blessed this capital city with innumerable gifts and man has used them to make Shimla one of India's best locales. Discover the Queen of Hill station on foot, it’s simply the best way. The walking trails are superb with tall pines and majestic deodar and spectacular views of the brilliant.
The salubrious air and scenic views of the Himalayas accompanied by the structures made during the colonial era creates an aura which is very different from other hill stations.
Shimla derives its name from Goddess Shyamala, an incarnation of Goddess Kali, the deity of power and wrath. However, unlike its name, Simla is a perfect heaven for the ones in search of tranquility.
Nature has blessed this capital city with innumerable gifts and man has used them to make Shimla one of India's best locales. Discover the Queen of Hill station on foot, it’s simply the best way. The walking trails are superb with tall pines and majestic deodar and spectacular views of the brilliant.
| State: | Himachal Pradesh | |
| Location: | Shimla is located towards the southern parts of the north Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. | |
| Area: | 18 sq. km. | |
| Altitude: | 2213 meters | |
| Temperature: | Summer: Max 27ºC, Min 16.5ºC, Winter: Max 16.5ºC, Min 5ºC |
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| Local Languages: | Pahari (Local Dialect), Hindi, English | |
| Best time to visit: | April to Mid-July, Mid-September to Mid-November | |
| Clothing: | Summer: Light woollens Winter: Heavy woollens |
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| Mobile Networks: | GSM: Airtel, BSNL, Aircel, Reliance CDMA: TATA Indicom |
Visit Shimla anytime during the year, its forever beautiful. But it surely gets an added charm during the monsoons when the hills turn lush green. Winters too make it brilliant as soft snow covers the land and makes it shine pristine white. Ancient temples and old churches are worth visiting. Stop at one of the hills and find mist enveloping you and everything else around.
Simla 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
Shimla Religious Places:
Christ Church & St. Michael's Cathedral: This famous landmark church of Simla was built over a span of 11 years (1846-1857) and its the second oldest church of northern India. The beauty of the church is enhanced by the stained glass in its windows. The building looks all the more beautiful at night when its grand architecture glows with clever lighting. Another important church in Shimla is the Church of St. Michael's Cathedral.
Jakhoo Temple: Dedicated to Lord Hanuman, this temple is at an altitude of 8048 feet above sea level and is the highest point of Simla. It offers a panoramic view over the surrounding valley.
Sankat Mochan: The famous "Lord Hanuman" temple is Situated on Ambala Shimla highway 5 Kms short of Shimla It commands an excellent view of Simla town. Temple has beautiful campus and Langar is held every Sunday.
Kali Bari: The temple is situated near to The Mall The temple is dedicated to Shyamala Devi (Shimla is named after this goddess), an incarnation of Goddess Kali.
Tara Devi: Located on Tara Parvat is the temple of Tara Devi, about 15 kilometers from Shimla. The view from the temple is very beautiful. The forested hills around lend a tranquility to the area. A road meanders uphill through the pine forest.
Main Tourist spots:
Himachal State Museum & Library: Around two and a half kilometers from Scandal Point is Himachal State Museum and Library. The museum displays a collection of historical sculptors, paintings, coins and photos relating to the history of entire state.
The museum itself is housed in a colonial building perched over hill top. The gallery also has an exquisite collection of paintings which are the last pieces of the Indian art form, the Pahari miniature art form before the Western form took over. There are dozens of Mughal and Rajasthani miniature paintings. The museum opens daily except on Mondays and public holidays.
Viceregal Lodge & Botanical Gardens: On the Observatory Hills is located Viceregal Lodge. This magnificent building was the residence of the British Viceroy Lord Dufferin. The lodge has now been converted into Indian Institute of Advanced Studies 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.
The Mall: The hub of Simla is the Mall, which runs along the Ridge and is crowded with tourists. It is the city’s most famous shopping center, with shops selling all items, from clothes to junk food. Most of Shimla's landmarks are located here. The Mall further joins the Ridge at the 'Scandal Point', where a statue of Lala Lajpat Rai has been erected. This is the main shopping center of Simla with restaurants
Prospect Hill: Crowned by Kamna Devi temple, it is 15-min walk from Boileauganj on Shimla-Bilaspur road.
Glenn: Its about 4 km walk from the Ridge through dense Forests, a sprightly stream flows through the Glen forests a It is a famous picnic spot.
Annandale: Beyond the Glen is Annandale, another picnic spot. The big open ground rarely found in the hills is covered with deodar forests
Elysium Hill: On the road leading through Lakkar Bazaar, houses the famous Auckland House, the former residence of Viceroy Lord Auckland. It is a well-known girls’ school now.
Chadwick Falls: These are the 67 meters high water falls which come streaming down from the Summer Hill. The falls are set amidst thick forest at a height of 1586 meters. The falls are at their best after monsoons. You can go and explore the tracks in the forest on your own, deodar trees line the forest. There are also some old temples close by and a fair is held here in April every year.
Seven hills in Shimla
Shimla is surrounded by seven picturesque hills which are the prime attractions of city tours. These are:
Simla 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
Shimla Religious Places:
Christ Church & St. Michael's Cathedral: This famous landmark church of Simla was built over a span of 11 years (1846-1857) and its the second oldest church of northern India. The beauty of the church is enhanced by the stained glass in its windows. The building looks all the more beautiful at night when its grand architecture glows with clever lighting. Another important church in Shimla is the Church of St. Michael's Cathedral.
Jakhoo Temple: Dedicated to Lord Hanuman, this temple is at an altitude of 8048 feet above sea level and is the highest point of Simla. It offers a panoramic view over the surrounding valley.
Sankat Mochan: The famous "Lord Hanuman" temple is Situated on Ambala Shimla highway 5 Kms short of Shimla It commands an excellent view of Simla town. Temple has beautiful campus and Langar is held every Sunday.
Kali Bari: The temple is situated near to The Mall The temple is dedicated to Shyamala Devi (Shimla is named after this goddess), an incarnation of Goddess Kali.
Tara Devi: Located on Tara Parvat is the temple of Tara Devi, about 15 kilometers from Shimla. The view from the temple is very beautiful. The forested hills around lend a tranquility to the area. A road meanders uphill through the pine forest.
Main Tourist spots:
Himachal State Museum & Library: Around two and a half kilometers from Scandal Point is Himachal State Museum and Library. The museum displays a collection of historical sculptors, paintings, coins and photos relating to the history of entire state.
The museum itself is housed in a colonial building perched over hill top. The gallery also has an exquisite collection of paintings which are the last pieces of the Indian art form, the Pahari miniature art form before the Western form took over. There are dozens of Mughal and Rajasthani miniature paintings. The museum opens daily except on Mondays and public holidays.
Viceregal Lodge & Botanical Gardens: On the Observatory Hills is located Viceregal Lodge. This magnificent building was the residence of the British Viceroy Lord Dufferin. The lodge has now been converted into Indian Institute of Advanced Studies 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.
The Mall: The hub of Simla is the Mall, which runs along the Ridge and is crowded with tourists. It is the city’s most famous shopping center, with shops selling all items, from clothes to junk food. Most of Shimla's landmarks are located here. The Mall further joins the Ridge at the 'Scandal Point', where a statue of Lala Lajpat Rai has been erected. This is the main shopping center of Simla with restaurants
Prospect Hill: Crowned by Kamna Devi temple, it is 15-min walk from Boileauganj on Shimla-Bilaspur road.
Glenn: Its about 4 km walk from the Ridge through dense Forests, a sprightly stream flows through the Glen forests a It is a famous picnic spot.
Annandale: Beyond the Glen is Annandale, another picnic spot. The big open ground rarely found in the hills is covered with deodar forests
Elysium Hill: On the road leading through Lakkar Bazaar, houses the famous Auckland House, the former residence of Viceroy Lord Auckland. It is a well-known girls’ school now.
Chadwick Falls: These are the 67 meters high water falls which come streaming down from the Summer Hill. The falls are set amidst thick forest at a height of 1586 meters. The falls are at their best after monsoons. You can go and explore the tracks in the forest on your own, deodar trees line the forest. There are also some old temples close by and a fair is held here in April every year.
Seven hills in Shimla
Shimla is surrounded by seven picturesque hills which are the prime attractions of city tours. These are:
1. Jakhoo hill: in central Simla, which is crowned by the temple indicated to Lord Hanuman
2. Bantony: in central Shimla, which has the Grand Hotel
3. Prospect Hill: Famous for Kamna Devi temple
4. Summer Hill: Here Himachal Pradesh University campus is located
5. Observatory Hill: Famous for Indian Institute of Advanced Study
6. Invererarm Hill: The hill top has the State Museum and TV broadcast tower
7. Elysium Hill: This holds The Auckland House and Longwood and reaches out towards Bharari
2. Bantony: in central Shimla, which has the Grand Hotel
3. Prospect Hill: Famous for Kamna Devi temple
4. Summer Hill: Here Himachal Pradesh University campus is located
5. Observatory Hill: Famous for Indian Institute of Advanced Study
6. Invererarm Hill: The hill top has the State Museum and TV broadcast tower
7. Elysium Hill: This holds The Auckland House and Longwood and reaches out towards Bharari
The temperature range is not very high and the maximum temperature rarely crosses 25°C during summers. Winters are cold due to the chilly winds from the upper Himalayas. Around Christmas, Simla experiences snowfall. Sometimes the temperature goes beyond 0 degrees in the winter months. Heavy woolens are suggested from November to February months. The rainy season is in July and august months
Shimla, the capital city of Himachal Pradesh, is located in the heart of the state and forms one of the most famous hill stations of India. With rolling hills and cascading waterfalls, the hill resort attracts a large number of tourists, from the destinations across the world. The city is endowed with tremendous beauty. Being such a popular destination, it enjoys good connectivity with all the major cities of the country. In the lines below, we will provide you complete information on how to reach Simla.
By Air
Jubbarhatti Airport of Shimla, located at the distance of 23 kms from downtown, is the one that connects it with the rest of the country by air. Shimla has regular flights to all the key cities in and around Himachal, like Chandigarh, Kullu, and Delhi. In fact, it has daily flights to Delhi and Kullu. Jagson Airlines also operates a bi-weekly flight on Delhi-Shimla-Kullu-Gaggal route.
By Rail
Kalka, at the distance of 96 km, forms the nearest railhead from Shimla. The duration of journey from Kalka to Shimla, in the toy train, is around six hrs. Frequency of trains between these two cities is regular. You can take Kalka Mail from Delhi that takes you to Kalka early in the morning and from there, one can catch connecting train, on the splendid narrow-gauge track, to Shimla.
By Road
Shimla is well connected by road to all the major towns of state and other major cities of country. Kalka (80 Kms), Chandigarh (119 Kms), Ambala (166 Kms), Delhi (370 kms), Agra (568 Kms), Amritsar (342 Kms) are the major cities tourists can board buses from. Deluxe as well as ordinary buses are also available from all these places. One can hire taxis too.
Local Transport
Local bus services is frequent in Shimla City from 7 am to 9 pm and buses are available to all the places in the City. Buses runs mainly on the Ring Road (Covering Main Bus Stand, Lift, Chota Shimla, Kasumpti, Sanjauli, Lakkar Bazaar Bus Stand, Victory Tunnel, Boileauganj, Summer Hill. Taxis are freely available from all the points in Shimla for local travel and site seen. Daily Tourist Buses are run by HPTDC for local sight seen and booking in them can be done at the Tourist Information Centre on the Mall. Shimla City is placed on hill top and all the major places like Mall, Ridge, Kali Bari, Lakkar Bazaar are located on it, to reach these places one has to walk on foot from the ring road on steep hill and its the only mode of travel on hill slopes. One can avail the facility of lift run by HP tourism from cart road, which links the Cart Road to Mall. Taxi Service from Mall Road to Bus Stand, Sanjauli to Lakkar Bazaar (Near Ridge , Shimla),Kasumti to Shimla Club(Near Ridge).
By Air
Jubbarhatti Airport of Shimla, located at the distance of 23 kms from downtown, is the one that connects it with the rest of the country by air. Shimla has regular flights to all the key cities in and around Himachal, like Chandigarh, Kullu, and Delhi. In fact, it has daily flights to Delhi and Kullu. Jagson Airlines also operates a bi-weekly flight on Delhi-Shimla-Kullu-Gaggal route.
By Rail
Kalka, at the distance of 96 km, forms the nearest railhead from Shimla. The duration of journey from Kalka to Shimla, in the toy train, is around six hrs. Frequency of trains between these two cities is regular. You can take Kalka Mail from Delhi that takes you to Kalka early in the morning and from there, one can catch connecting train, on the splendid narrow-gauge track, to Shimla.
By Road
Shimla is well connected by road to all the major towns of state and other major cities of country. Kalka (80 Kms), Chandigarh (119 Kms), Ambala (166 Kms), Delhi (370 kms), Agra (568 Kms), Amritsar (342 Kms) are the major cities tourists can board buses from. Deluxe as well as ordinary buses are also available from all these places. One can hire taxis too.
Local Transport
Local bus services is frequent in Shimla City from 7 am to 9 pm and buses are available to all the places in the City. Buses runs mainly on the Ring Road (Covering Main Bus Stand, Lift, Chota Shimla, Kasumpti, Sanjauli, Lakkar Bazaar Bus Stand, Victory Tunnel, Boileauganj, Summer Hill. Taxis are freely available from all the points in Shimla for local travel and site seen. Daily Tourist Buses are run by HPTDC for local sight seen and booking in them can be done at the Tourist Information Centre on the Mall. Shimla City is placed on hill top and all the major places like Mall, Ridge, Kali Bari, Lakkar Bazaar are located on it, to reach these places one has to walk on foot from the ring road on steep hill and its the only mode of travel on hill slopes. One can avail the facility of lift run by HP tourism from cart road, which links the Cart Road to Mall. Taxi Service from Mall Road to Bus Stand, Sanjauli to Lakkar Bazaar (Near Ridge , Shimla),Kasumti to Shimla Club(Near Ridge).
Travel Packages
Shimla Kullu Manali Special
Package No.: INHPS6D5N004
Package No.: INHPS6D5N004
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Chandigarh Shimla Manali Combo
Package No.: INHPS7D6N001
Package No.: INHPS7D6N001
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Inclusions:
Theme:
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