|
|
| Shimla is the capital town of Himachal Pradesh. The
town of Shimla is built over several hills and connecting ridges.
The important hills are Jakhu ( 2,455 meters ), Prospect Hill ( 2,328
meters ), Observatory Hill ( 2,350 meters ), Elysigim Hill ( 2,466
meters ) and Summer Hill ( 2,300 meters ). Shimla is situated in the
North-West Himalayas and was the Summer Capital of India during the
British rulling era. This town is spread over the ridge measuring
about 12 km. It is perhaps the biggest hill station in the world,
located at an altitude of 2,421 meters above sea level. A place of
peace and pleasure, Shimla is a tourist resort in real sense of the
world. The best season of the year here is autumn but the early spring
runs a close second. Shimla is connected with air, rail, and road
traffics. Shimla under snow is a wonderful sight and it offers the
unique attraction of an open air ice skating rink. Also the legendary
Ridge under snow and snow sports at Kufri make Shimla a wonderful
winter holiday resort. |
|
 |
Shimla : General Information |
| Altitude :- |
varies from 300 meters to
6,000 meters. |
| Headquarter :- |
Shimla ( altitude 2,210 meters
) |
| Location :- |
Shimla district lies between
30°45' and 31°44 North Latitude and between 77°0' and
78°19' East Longitude. It is bounded by Mandi and Kullu in North,
Kinnaur in the East, the state of Uttar Pradesh in the South and by
Sirmaur district in the West. |
| Access by Air :- |
The nearest airport is Jubbarhatti 23
km. |
| Access by Rail :- |
There is broad guage railway line upto
Kalka and thereafter narrow guage line upto Shimla 90 km. ) with 103
tunnels. |
| Access by Road :- |
Almost each and every part of the state
is linked by roads. The Himachal Road Transport Corporation is running
its buses covering the whole state. There is huge network of HRTC
to cater the needs of the people. |
| Distance :- |
Manali 260 km., Mandi 150 km., Palampur
235 km., Dharamshala ( via Hamirpur ) 235 km., Dalhousie 336 km.,
Sarahan 175 km., Sangla 230 km., Kalpa 244 km., Tabo 374 km., Kaza
421 km., Keylong ( via Kunzum Pass ) 610 km., Hatkoti 109 km., Chigaon
137 km., Kssauli 75 km., Renuka 165 km., Delhi 370 km., Pathankot
295 km., Chandigarh 117 km. |
|
Famous Places around Shimla :- |
| Jakhu Hill :- ( 2,455 meters ) 2 km. from town.
This is the highest peak of Shimla and offers panoramic view of the
town and the mountains. 'Hanuman Temple of Jakhu' is very famous.
According to legend, Hanumanji took some rest here when he was carrying
a hill of 'Sanjiwani Booti' ( a herb to save the life of Lakshmana,
the younger brother of Lord Rama ). |
| Indian Institute of Advance Studies :- The institute
is housed in the erstwhile Viceregal Lodge which was built in 1884-88
during the period of Lord Dufferin. It isa commanding building in
Summer Hill. The gardens of the Institute are really beautiful and
fascinating. It was designed by Henry Twain. |
| Glen :- ( 1,830 meters ) Distance 4km. This is
one of the most beautiful picnic spots of Shimla with flowing streams
through dense forest. Approach is near ‘Cecil Hotel’ and
‘Kennedy House’. |
| Chail :- ( 2,250 meters ) Situated 45 km. from
Shimla.. This was the ‘Summer Capital’ of the erstwhile
Patiala State. The small town is located amid thick woods and has
fine walks. It has the highest cricket ground in the world. The dense
forests around are alive with many species of birds and animals but
it is best known for its ‘Scottish red Deer' which were introduced
by the Maharaja. |
| Kufri :- ( 2,633 meters ) 16km. from
Shimla. Kufri has won a name on the sports and tourist map of India
due to its ‘Ski-runs’, ‘Seed Potato Farm’
of the Central Potato Research Institute and ‘Food Craft Institute’. |
| Summer Hill :- ( 2,123 meters ) 5
km. A picturesque suburb of Shimla, which offers shady walks in quiet
surroundings. Himachal Pradesh University is located here. |
| Kamna Devi :- ( 2,145 meters ) 5 km.
This place is located near Boileauganj. Kamna Devi is the most popular
picnic spot which commands a unique view of Shimla, Jutogh, Summer
hill and Tara Devi. The hill is famous by name of Prospect Hill. |
| Wild Flower Hall :- ( 13 km. once
the residence of Lord Kitchuer, the Commander-in-Chief of India in
the beginning of the 20th century. This is surrounded by dense and
beautiful pine forest. About 1 km from Wild Flower Hall is the ‘Retreat’
, the weekend resort of Lord Curzon. Between Wild Flower Hall and
Retreat, ‘Hem Kunj’ ( formerly Dane's Folly ) the summer
holiday resort of the Punjab Governor is situated. On January 4-5-1993,
Wild Flower Hall was reduced to ashes in a major fire. |
| Tara Devi :- ( 2,100 meters ) 8 km.
There is a famous temple on the top of the hill. |
| Christ Church :- The imposing Church
stand majestically on the ridge, is the second oldest Church in North
India. It has a very a very majestic appearance and inside there are
stained glass windows which represent faith, hope, charity, patience
and humanity. It was built in 1857. In fact it has become synonymous
with Shimla and no picture of two town is complate without it. |
| Tattapani :- ( 655 meters ) 51 km.
A dip at the hot sulphur springs at Tattapani not only relaxes the
body but also has therapeutic effects. There is a tourist bungalow
at Tattapani to accommodate 20 persons. |
| Mashobra :- ( 2,150 meters ) 13 km.
This is a popular picnic spot which offers ideal walks amidst forest
of oak and pine. The area adjoining to Mashobra is famous for apples
orchards. Nearby is the site of annual 'Sipi Fair' held in June. |
| Naldera :- ( 3,044 meters ) 22 km. Naldera offers
one of the oldest and most sporting golf courses in India set in the
midst of thick forests. The country around Naldera is also famous
for its temples which are representative of the typical hill architecture
of the area. Naldera is known for its 'nine hole golf course'. Naldera
course was laid by Lord Curzon in 1903. |
| Fagu :- ( 2,510 meters ) 22 km. Fagu's idyllic
surroundings area for those looking for tranquillity and solitude.
A slamm hamlet overlooking prosperous apple orchards and with a fine
view of the Himalayan Panorma. Fagu is also a popular trekking stage. |
| Narkanda :- ( 2,708 meters ) 64 km. It commands
a unique view of the eternal snow line and the dense forest. A quaint
sleepy hamlet. From here, you get breathtaking view of the snow clad
Himalayas. 'Hatu Peak' at an altitude of 3,143 meters above sea level
ai 8 km. from Narkanda. In winter, there are exciting ski slopes to
Ski on. |
| The State Museum Shimla :- Shimla museum has endeavoured
to project hill art and the cultural wealth of the state showing their
link with the national artistic scene. There is a collection of minitature
paintings, costumes, textiles and jewellery of the region. A leisurely
winding walk from the Mall, past the Gortan Castle and the Cecil leads
to a colonial mansion perched atop a hill. It houses the state museum.
A visit to Shimla is incomplete without seeing this museum, which
offers a peep into Himachal's grand past. |
| Coffee House Shimla :- This coffee house of Shimla
is working under a cooperative society. The interior decor of the
coffee house is always kept simple with a few framed pictures, but
only those portraying coffee. Having two floors, the Shimla Coffee
House is spacious but it is always packed. |
| Kali Bari Temple :- Few yards from scandal Point
towards General Post Office. It is believed that the idol of Goddess
Shayamla is enshrined there. |
| Rampur :- ( 924 metres ) 140 Km. )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. |
| Kharapathar :- ( 2673 metres ) 85 Km. ) Motorable
on Shimla-Rohru road. A famous religious shrine Giriganga is 7 Km
on foot or by jeep. HPTDC Tourist complex Giriganga Resort under construction. |
|
