Shimla is the capital of the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. British declared this city as their summer capital in 1864. Presently, it is a sought after tourist destination and dubbed as the Queen of Hills. Situated in the north western part of the Himalayan Mountains, Shimla has an elevation of 2,205 meters above sea level. Surrounded by pine and oak forests and the snow capped peaks in winter, Shimla is a popular retreat for the honeymoon couples and international visitors. The colonial buildings in this city reflect the neo-Gothic architecture. Shimla is home to a number of natural, historical and religious sites drawing tourists throughout the year. The Shimla Summer Festival brings in large tourist crowd. There are also local hang out areas, markets for shopping and restaurants making your vacation to Shimla an experience of a lifetime. Shimla also has numerous temples that bring in devotees on different occasions. There are also several entertainment options here. This city is home to Asia’s largest natural ice skating ring.
Top Shimla Attractions
This picturesque town is host to a number of attractions such as the following:
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| Jakhu Temple is a majestic temple and dedicated to Lord Hanuman. Situated on the top of the beautiful Jakhu hill at an altitude of 2455 meters above the sea level it is surrounded by forest. There are many monkeys around this temple but fortunately do not attack travelers. It is few kilometers from the city of Shimla. |
Shimla Mall –
The shopping hub of Shimla, Shimla Mall is the ultimate hangout zone in this town. It has a number of restaurants, cafes, government offices and cinema complexes. The Gaiety Theatre is an important attraction on Shimla Mall road. Built by the British, it is host to several cultural activities now. The Mall road runs parallel to the Ridge and bends at the Lakkar Bazaar, the famous market for wood crafts and furniture.
Himachal State Museum and Library –
Also known as the Shimla State Museum, ancient sculptures and paintings form the largest collection here. Inaugurated in 1974, this museum also houses a gallery of miniature Pahari style of painting, wood carvings, jewelry and costumes. It gives tourists a glimpse of the cultural wealth of Himachal Pradesh.
Christ Church, Shimla –
It is the second oldest Christian house of worship in North India. Located on the Ridge, it was constructed in 1857, soon after the Sepoy Mutiny. It is another structure in the town built in the neo-Gothic style. Lockwood Kipling designed the chancel window of the central hall. In 1860, a clock was added on the church tower.
The Ridge –
Situated in the heart of Shimla, The Ridge is an open space running alongside Shimla Mall. The Shimla Summer Festival takes place here and New Year witnesses a grand celebration. On its eastern end is a large reservoir that acts as the main water supply for the town.
Indian Institute of Advanced Studies –
Started in the year 1888, this institution is a fine example of Renaissance architecture. The beautiful lawns and the garden are added features. The beautifully lined pine trees add to the serenity of the place.
Summer Hill –
A 5 km drive from The Ridge will take you the township called the Summer Hill, situated at an elevation of 6,500 feet. The University of Himachal Pradesh is situated here and Mahatma Gandhi is believed to have stayed here during his visits to the state. It is also among the popular honeymoon locales in the city.
Kali Bari Temple –
This temple in Shimla has Goddess Shyamala Devi as the principal deity. Shimla derives its name from this goddess.
Tara Devi Temple –
This Hindu shrine in Shimla is located on the Shimla-Kalka road and around 11 km away from the Shimla bus terminal. This temple is dedicated to the Goddess of the heavenly stars. The hilltop offers stunning views of the city.
town hall:-
The Town Hall is a renovated Municipal Corporation building of Shimla. Built during the British regime in 1910, the Town Hall exhibits architecture reminiscent of the pre-independence era, preserved in its original form.
During non-summer months, the hill station of Shimla was governed by the Municipal Board established in 1851, which oversaw matters pertaining to water-supply, sanitation, roads and taxation. The Town Hall was built on the foundation stone laid by the Municipal Board.
Located on the famous Mall Road, the large steps on the entrance of the building are highlights of the historic testimony. The steps are also a common site, where visitors click pictures.
The Municipal Corporation building of Shimla comprises municipal offices facing the Mall Road and a library on the way to the Ridge on the upper end. The municipal office and library are in service from the time of the British regime. Over the years, the State Government has renovated the colonial architectural marvel.
Nature park:-
The Nature Park in Summer Hill is among the noteworthy sightseeing spots, located at a distance of 5 kilometres from the city centre. The suburb stands at a height of 6,500 feet on the Kalka-Shimla railway line. Summer hill, also known as Potter's Hill is among seven-hill clusters forming the hill station of Shimla.
The name of Potter's hill originated from yesteryears, when potters visited the place to gather clay for making pots. Rich in variety of hilly flora and fauna, the hill situated next to Observatory Hill has a canopy of temperate forest.
This Nature Park is frequented by thousands of holidaymakers, who can also enjoy horse rides through these dense forests of cedars and oaks.
The suburb also houses a widespread campus of Himachal Pradesh University established in 1975. This institution offers Post Graduate Programmes in Humanities, Commerce, Science, Management, Law and Languages.
The beautiful township of Summer Hill can be accessed from Kalka-Shimla national highway. Besides, tourists can walk through the mall in the western end along with Chaura Maidan.
Annandale :-
Annandale, a historic playground, is a favourite spot for cricket and the princely game of polo. Located at a distance of 4 kilometres from the Ridge, the playground and race-course is positioned in a deep wide valley of the suburban village called Kaithu. This village lies in the west region of Shimla.
Standing at a height of 6,117 feet above sea level, the round playground on a small patch of table-land is spread over a circumference of three-quarters of a mile. Captain Charles Pratt Kennedy, one of the first incomers to the place, named it Annadale, which is nowadays misspelt as Annandale.
Since the 1830s, Annandale has been an important centre of Anglo-Indian playful activities, amusement and entertainment. Tourists visit the place for picnic parties, fêtes, birthday-balls, fancy-fairs flower, races and polo matches. The polo tournament at the playground was the annual feature, which was eventually shifted to Kolkata.
Moreover, Lord William Beresford, the Military Secretary to Lord Dufferin expanded the ground to feature a pavilion for cricketers and a polo field for polo players. At present, the playground hosts army exercise and parades, sports and Dussehra festival celebrations. Besides, the field is utilised as one of the heliports in the city.
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