General Information :
Languages : Hindi, English, Himachali,
Languages : Hindi, English, Himachali,
Population : 2,161
Temperature : 10°C-11°C (winter) 25°C-26°C (summer)
STD Code : 0177
Best Time to Visit : May–July and September–November
Climate : 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.
Shimla - Intrduction
Shimla is located towards the southern parts of the north Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. Shimla, the summer capital of the British India, is situated at a height of 2,196 metres. While the British have left the echoes linger on. Now It is the state capital and is at a distance of 343 km from Delhi, 260 km from Manali, and 119 km from Chandigarh. Today, its well developed facilities, easy accessibility and many attractions make it one of India's most popular resorts. In the Himalyan lower ranges, it is surrounded by pine, cedar, oak and rhododendron forests. 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.
History of Shimla
The name Shimla has been derived from the word 'Shyamala' the other name of Goddess Kali, whose temple was located in the dense forests of Jakhu Hill in the 19th century. The English used to call it Simla. During the times of the Raj, Shimla was summer retreat of the British.
Accessibility
By Air : Shimla Airport is 23 kms from the city connected by daily flights from Delhi and Kullu.
By Rail : Broadguage Railway line upto Kalka connecting Delhi Calcutta and Amritsar. Kalka to Shimla (95 kms.) by Narrow gauge railway.
By Road : Well connected with Kalka. Chandigarh,Delhi, Amritsar and Jammu etc.
Places to Visit
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 Are Worth Seeing.
The Mall : Main Shopping Centre Of Shimla With Restaurants. The Gaiety Theatre, Which Is A Reproduction Of An Old British Theatre Is A Center Of Cultural Activities. A Passenger Lift Of HPTDC Can Be Taken From The Cart Road And The Mall.
Lakkar Bazaar Adjacent To The Ridge Is Popular For Its Wood Crafts And Souvenirs.
Kali Bari Temple : Few Yards From Scandal Point Towards General Post Office. It Is Believed That The Idol Of Goddess Shayamla Is Enshrined There.
Jakhoo Temple : Shimla's Highest Peak Offers A Panoramic View Of The Town. An Ancient "Lord Hanuman" Temple. Way From Ridge Near Church (On Foot) One Can Also Hire Pony Or Taxi To Visit The Temple.
State Meuseum : Ancient Historical Sculptors And Paintings Of Himachal Pradesh. Visiting Hours 10 AM To 5 PM. Closed On Monday And Gazetted Holidays.
Indian Institute Of Advanced Studies (4 Km) 1983 M : This Magnificent English Renaissance Structure Was The Former Viceregal Lodge. Its Lawns And Woodland Are Added Attractions. Entry By Ticket.
Prospect Hill : Crowned By A Temple Dedicated To Kamna Devi 15 Minutes Walk From Boileauganj On Shimla Bilaspur Road. The Hill Offers A Spectacular Views Of The Area.
Summer Hill : A Picturesque Superb On Shimla-Kalka Railway Line. Offers Shady Walks In Quiet Surroundings. The Father Of Nation, Mahatma Gandhi During His Visit To Shimla Lived In The Elegant Georgian House Of Raj Kumari Amrit Kaur. HP University Is Situated Here.
Narkanda : On The Hindustan Tibet Road, Narkanda Offers Spectacular Views Of Snow Ranges. An Uphill Trek Through Deodar Woods Leads To Hatu Peak (8 Km). Ancient Temple Of Hatu Mata Is Alive With Skiers. HPTDC Runs Hotel Hatu And In Winters Short Skiing Courses Are Organised.
Rampur : On The Hindustan Tibet Road. Once The Capital Of The Princely State Of Bushahr, The Town Is Situated On The Banks Of Satluj River, Big Commercial Centre And Famous International Lavi Fare Which Is Held In November Every Year, Dumgir Buddhist Temple, Padam Palace, Raghunath Temple, Ayodhya Temple And Narsingh Temple, Are Worth Visiting. Himachal Tourism Runs A Tourist Complex And Air Conditioned Cafe, Satluj.
Sarahan : On Hindustan Tibet Road From Jeori Sarahan Is (17 Km) With Spectacular View Of Srikhand Range. Sarahan Has The Majestic Bhimkali Temple. Himachal Tourism Runs Hotel Shrikhand. Saharan Is The Gateway To Kinnaur. A Pheasant Breading Centre And Stadium Are Worth Visiting.
Jubbal : Headquarters Of The Erstwhile Princely State, Jubbal Has A Superbly Maintained Palace Which Was Designed By A French Architect In The 1930 And Is Remarkable Mix Of European And Indigenous Styles.
Hatkoti : Motorable On Shimla-Rohru Highway. Famous For Ancient Temple Of Mata Hateswari In The Midst Of Paddy Fields On The Right Bank Of The Pabber River. HPTDC Runs Hotel Pabber Here. Chindi (94 Km) 2010 M: Motorable On Shimla-Mandi Highway Via Tattapani - A Beautiful Place In Karsog Valley. Himachal Tourism's Tourist Resort Is Opening Shortly. One Can Also Visit Famous Mahunag Temple (18 Km). Mamleshwar Mahadev Temple (13 Km) Kamaksha Devi Temple (19 Km) Pangna Killa/Temple (8 Km) And Shikari Devi Temple (18 Km).
Places to Visit
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 Are Worth Seeing.
The Mall : Main Shopping Centre Of Shimla With Restaurants. The Gaiety Theatre, Which Is A Reproduction Of An Old British Theatre Is A Center Of Cultural Activities. A Passenger Lift Of HPTDC Can Be Taken From The Cart Road And The Mall.
Lakkar Bazaar Adjacent To The Ridge Is Popular For Its Wood Crafts And Souvenirs.
Kali Bari Temple : Few Yards From Scandal Point Towards General Post Office. It Is Believed That The Idol Of Goddess Shayamla Is Enshrined There.
Jakhoo Temple : Shimla's Highest Peak Offers A Panoramic View Of The Town. An Ancient "Lord Hanuman" Temple. Way From Ridge Near Church (On Foot) One Can Also Hire Pony Or Taxi To Visit The Temple.
State Meuseum : Ancient Historical Sculptors And Paintings Of Himachal Pradesh. Visiting Hours 10 AM To 5 PM. Closed On Monday And Gazetted Holidays.
Indian Institute Of Advanced Studies (4 Km) 1983 M : This Magnificent English Renaissance Structure Was The Former Viceregal Lodge. Its Lawns And Woodland Are Added Attractions. Entry By Ticket.
Prospect Hill : Crowned By A Temple Dedicated To Kamna Devi 15 Minutes Walk From Boileauganj On Shimla Bilaspur Road. The Hill Offers A Spectacular Views Of The Area.
Summer Hill : A Picturesque Superb On Shimla-Kalka Railway Line. Offers Shady Walks In Quiet Surroundings. The Father Of Nation, Mahatma Gandhi During His Visit To Shimla Lived In The Elegant Georgian House Of Raj Kumari Amrit Kaur. HP University Is Situated Here.
Narkanda : On The Hindustan Tibet Road, Narkanda Offers Spectacular Views Of Snow Ranges. An Uphill Trek Through Deodar Woods Leads To Hatu Peak (8 Km). Ancient Temple Of Hatu Mata Is Alive With Skiers. HPTDC Runs Hotel Hatu And In Winters Short Skiing Courses Are Organised.
Rampur : On The Hindustan Tibet Road. Once The Capital Of The Princely State Of Bushahr, The Town Is Situated On The Banks Of Satluj River, Big Commercial Centre And Famous International Lavi Fare Which Is Held In November Every Year, Dumgir Buddhist Temple, Padam Palace, Raghunath Temple, Ayodhya Temple And Narsingh Temple, Are Worth Visiting. Himachal Tourism Runs A Tourist Complex And Air Conditioned Cafe, Satluj.
Sarahan : On Hindustan Tibet Road From Jeori Sarahan Is (17 Km) With Spectacular View Of Srikhand Range. Sarahan Has The Majestic Bhimkali Temple. Himachal Tourism Runs Hotel Shrikhand. Saharan Is The Gateway To Kinnaur. A Pheasant Breading Centre And Stadium Are Worth Visiting.
Jubbal : Headquarters Of The Erstwhile Princely State, Jubbal Has A Superbly Maintained Palace Which Was Designed By A French Architect In The 1930 And Is Remarkable Mix Of European And Indigenous Styles.
Hatkoti : Motorable On Shimla-Rohru Highway. Famous For Ancient Temple Of Mata Hateswari In The Midst Of Paddy Fields On The Right Bank Of The Pabber River. HPTDC Runs Hotel Pabber Here. Chindi (94 Km) 2010 M: Motorable On Shimla-Mandi Highway Via Tattapani - A Beautiful Place In Karsog Valley. Himachal Tourism's Tourist Resort Is Opening Shortly. One Can Also Visit Famous Mahunag Temple (18 Km). Mamleshwar Mahadev Temple (13 Km) Kamaksha Devi Temple (19 Km) Pangna Killa/Temple (8 Km) And Shikari Devi Temple (18 Km).
