SHIMLA

SHIMLA

Shimla is the capital of Himachal Pradesh. The British used to call it their 'Tiny bit of England.' They also had other names for it ranging from 'Mount Olympus' and the 'Viceroy's Shooting Box' to the 'Abode of the Little Tin Gods'. Sirmaur, Kinnar, Kullu, Mandi, Solar and the Uttarkashi district of Uttar Pradesh surround the district of Shimla. There are a number of places outside the town that attract attention. Among them are Theong, Rohru, Chaupal, Rampur etc. The district has amazingly beautiful forests of firs, pines, oaks and rhododendron. The beautiful meadows with hyacinth, celandine, asphodel, climb gently up to the deodar forests and further up to rocky and snowy peaks of the Himalayas. A pleasant way to see much of the southern district is by travelling on the 'Kalka -Shimla' train. It runs on the narrow gauge and winds its way through forested hills of fir, pines, walnut, apricots and through terraced hillside fields of paddy, corn and the famous Shimla capsicum known as 'Shimla Mirch'. The entire district has a number of small streams and springs and is a delightful place for nature lovers. One can walk and love to walk some more.

Shimla was once a part of the Nepalese kingdom. It was called ‘Ad Shyamala’, which is another name of goddess Kali. At that time, everybody did not know Shimla. It gained its popularity when the British discovered it in 1819. In 1864, Shimla became the summer capital of India. It was an added boom to its popularity when the first railway line from Kalka to Shimla was constructed in 1903. Shimla was initially the capital of Punjab but later it became the capital of Himachal Pradesh.

Today Shimla is regarded as the ‘Imperial arbiter of India’s destiny’. It is a cool, lovely, developing town situated in the hills of Himachal Pradesh, which adds to its charm.

Proud capital of a proud state, Shimla is a visual treat for visitors. Solemn forests of deodar and pine cover it.

The Shimla Mall

Shimla mall has come up after years of careful and loving care. The city’s main shopping center houses shops filled with the latest in fashion. This was the seat of imperial power and milady demanded nothing but the best, so laden ships came from over the seven seas to fulfil the imperial taste. After the shopping on mall, the road leads down to lower and middle bazaars below the mall where the hill men display their crafts etc.

The Institute of Advanced Studies

All is calm, all is serene –just the atmosphere craved by a student of world affair, be it literature or be it politics. Here, some come for seminar at the Institute of Advanced Studies housed in the magnificent 'Rashtrapati Niwas' (President’s rest house). It has vast rooms and spacious gardens where discussions are held on different topics.

Shimla State Museum

The Shimla museum was opened in 1974 and is built on a beautiful ground. It has a growing collection 2000 object daret. It contains a rich collection of paintings.

Jakhoo Hill

For outdoor lovers, Shimla offers delightful spots scattered around. Jakhoo, having a height of 2438.4 mts (8000 ft) and 2 km (1¹/4 miles) east of the town, rewards the climber with glorious views of the sun rising and a magnificent view of Shimla. There is also an old temple dedicated to Lord Hanuman, located on top of the hill.

Annandale- Shimla’s Playground

Annandale is 2.45 km from the ridge at an altitude of 1864 mts (6117 ft). It is being developed as the playground of the capital. It is the chosen venue for cricket, picnics and princely game of polo.