SHIMLA

Shimla (hill station)

About:-

One of the most famous tourist destinations of India, Shimla located in Himachal Pradesh is a beautiful hill station. your travel to this place will be one event of your life that you shall never forget.

Shimla abounds in natural bounty and looks picture perfect. The small hill station amidst the lofty snow-clad Himalayan ranges, surrounded by lakes and lush green and this creates an ambience that is not found anywhere else in India. Shimla is one tourist destination that can be visited any time during the year. Summers are warm with cool and pleasant evenings while winters are bone chilling and the temperatures can fall below zero. But this difference is what makes Shimla all the more special !

ATTRACTIONS & PLACES TO VISIT AND EXPLORE IN SIMLA

Shimla Tourist Attractions

Viceregal Lodge ShimlaShimla is full of tourist attractions that are worth visiting. They may intrigue some with their rich historical legacy and for some, they are the perfect places to indulge in some good photography. Shimla is a photographer's paradise and you will find some of the most picture perfect shots over here.

Mall Road Shimla:

One place that you cannot ignore is definitely the Mall Road in Shimla. Located at the heart of the town, the Mall Road in Simla is one of the busiest commercial areas of this place. Built by the British during the colonial rule in India, the Mall Road was constructed keeping in mind the traffic on this route.

Shimla Ridge:

Located in the heart of Shimla is the famous tourist attraction known as The Ridge. The Ridge is the hub of all cultural activities of Shimla. It is situated along the Mall Road, which is the famous shopping center of Shimla. Most major places of Shimla like Lakkar Bazaar, Mall, Scandal Point, Jakhoo hill, etc. are connected through the Ridge.

Annandale:

Situated at a distance of 2 kilometers from the heart of the city, Annandale is a lovely picnic spot that is a major tourist attraction. One can relax and unwind over here and spend as much time as they want to.

Glenn:

A thickly wooded forest, Glenn is a famous picnic spot that is located around 4 kilometers from the center of Shimla. The thick cover of the deodar trees makes this place a calm and tranquil locale. It used to be known as the playground of Shimla where racing, cricket and polo used to be the favorite pastime of the British.

Prospect Hill:

Situated at a height of 2155 meters, the Prospect hill is a great place to visit and unwind in the natural surroundings. It is also famous for a hilltop temple dedicated to Kamna Devi.

State Museum & Library:

The Shimla State Museum and Library is a famous tourist attraction that is located at a distance of around 2.5 kilometers from the center of Shimla. The museum is famous for is collection of ancient sculptures, paintings, coins and photographs. The museum has samples of the famous Pahari miniature art form, which ceased to exist when the Western art form took over. The museum should be visited by anyone who is coming to Shimla.

Summer Hill:

The Summer Hill is located at a height of 1283 meters above sea level. This charming spot is famous for its university of Himachal Pradesh that is located here.

Viceregal Lodge:

The Viceregal Lodge is located at the top of Observatory Hills and was constructed by the British. This brilliant building served as the residence of the Viceroy, Lord Dufferin. It was completed by the year 1888 and it is still well maintained. This Lodge has now been transformed into the famous Institute of Advanced Studies and the six storey building still stands in all its splendor. The lodge has famous gardens and perfectly manicured lawns. The place is a very famous tourist attraction and must be visited.

Shimla Fairs and Festivals

Some following  Fairs and Festivals in Shimla

Ice Skating Carnival Shimla:

Shimla is India's favorite winter destination  Most tourists visit Shimla during the months of December, January and February to indulge in the lively ice sports like skiing, ice-skating or simple throwing snowballs!

Rhyali Festival Shimla:

Celebrated during the rainy season in Shimla, Rhyali festival is of much importance over here. Since most people here depend on agriculture to earn their livelihood, the rains are an absolute must. Rhyali festival is celebrated to keep the rain Gods happy so that the agricultural produce does not get affected.

Shimla Summer Festival:

The best reason to visit Shimla during summers has to be the famous Summer Festival that is held every year in the month of May. This famous festival is a riot of colors and festivity and is celebrated on a grand scale.

Baisakhi:

One of the most important festivals celebrated in Shimla is Baisakhi. It is celebrated on the first day of the month of Baisakh (mid - April). Baisakhi is called as Bissu or Bisha in Shimla. It is celebrated just before the onset of the harvest season.

Bhoj Fair:

This fair is held in the month of November for three days in Shimla. This fair attracts thousands of people from Shimla who come to pay respect to the presiding deity known as Devta Bansor.

Christmas:

Shimla has a white winter and Christmas is celebrated with much joy and fervor over here. The true spirit of Christmas is experienced over here, as the place is famous for a beautiful church that is decorated beautifully during Christmas. Shimla also receives heavy snowfall which makes it all the more fun to celebrated Christmas.

Lohri:

Lohri is a festival that is celebrated to mark the beginning of the sowing season. In January every year, the skyline of Shimla lights up by numerous bonfires that are lit across the place. The first Rabi crop of the season is sown during Lohri.

Sipi Fair:

This fair is celebrated in the month of May in Sihpur as an honor to Sip Devta. The fair is very popular among people and thousands throng the Sipi fair to participate.  Many cultural programs are organized which include archery competition, magic shows, jugglers, acrobats, etc.

Shimla Religious Places

The state of Himachal Pradesh was popularly known as "Devabhoomi" or the land of Gods and for the right reasons. The place has more than thousand temples scattered here and there. The imposing yet tranquil Himalayas look as though they are the natural abode of Gods. There are many important religious places in Shimla also.

Bhimakali Temple

Jakhu Temple

Kalibari Temple Shimla

Christ Church & St. Michael's Cathedral

Sankat Mochan Temple

Tara Devi Temple Shimla

How To Reach Shimla

By Air:

Jubarhati, which is about 23 kilometres from the town, is the nearest airport. There are regular flights going from Jubbarhatti to Chandigarh and Delhi. You can easily get a taxi from the airport to get to Shimla.

By Bus:

There are several bus services including Himachal Road Transport Corporation buses as well as private operators connecting Shimla to the major cities in North India. Chandigarh is at a distance of 117 kilometres, Manali at 260 kilometres and Delhi at 343 kilometres.

By Train:

The small railway station in Shimla is just 1 kilometre away from the centre of the town and is connected to Kalka by a narrow gauge rail track. The famous toy train of Shimla goes between Kalka and Shimla, covering a distance of 96 kilometres in about 7 hours.

Hotels In Shimla:-

Following hotels in Simla

1.  Radisson Jass, Shimla

2.  Cecil Oberoi Resort, Shimla

3.  Woodville Palace Shimla

4.  Hotel Springfields Shimla

5.  Wildflower Hall Shimla

6.  Hotel Asia The Dawn Shimla

7.  Hotel Clarke's, Shimla

8. Hotel Asia The Dawn