| Christ Church, on the
eastern edge of the Ridge, is a distinctive building with Victorian-Gothic spires and
stained glass windows. Other reminders of Shimla's colonial past include the Town
Hall, the timber-lined General Post Office, the old Gaiety
Theatre and the gracious Cecil Hotel. The most impressive colonial edifice of Shimla is the Viceregal
Lodge, now known as the Rashtrapati Niwas on Observatory Hill,
with a fabulous view of the Himalayas. Scandal Point, where people gather
for an afternoon chit-chat near the Mall, got its curious name after the daughter of a
high-ranking British officer eloped with a Patiala prince from here. The Kali Bari
close by has an idol of Shyamla Devi, and the State Museum houses a
collection of traditional and contemporary art, including fine Pahari miniatures and
artefacts from the Kangra and Kullu valleys.
From the popular picnic spot of Prospect Hill you can get a grand view of
the undulating hills and valleys of southern Himachal and the plains of Punjab. The suburb
of Summer Hill offers quiet walks through the woods.
The Jakhu Temple dedicated to Lord Hanuman, the monkey god, perches on Jakhu
Hill, which is the highest point on the ridge. Shimla has some other interesting
spots like the thickly wooded Glen, Chadwick Falls, the Temple of
Tara Devi, the Sankat Mochan Temple and the Himalayan
Aviary. Being the seat of government and a major tourist attraction in north
India, Shimla town has grown to bursting point, but under the highly commercialized
veneer, there remains a core that's completely enchanting- and undoubtedly worth
experiencing.
Getting to Shimla
The Jubbarhatti airfield, 22 km from Shimla, has regular flights from Delhi, Chandigarh
and Kullu- although they may be erratic (due to foul weather) in winter, when Chandigarh
Airport (120 km from Shimla) can be used. By train, the nearest broad gauge railway
station is at Kalka, about 100 km from Shimla; Kalka station is linked to most major
cities in India, including Delhi and Kolkata. From Kalka, a narrow-gauge line connects to
Shimla. Though the train journey is romantic, it is much slower than travelling by bus.
Shimla is connected by road to Chandigarh, Delhi, Dehradun, Kalka, and other major north
Indian towns. There are regular bus services to and from Chandigarh, Kullu, Manali, Delhi,
Mandi, Pathankot, and Ambala; alternatively, private or hired vehicles can be taken to
Shimla.
Most of Shimla can be covered on foot, although the steep climb can be tiring at times. In
addition, there are taxis, and mini buses / Himachal Tourism buses operating from the Mall
are available for local tours.
Best time to visit Shimla
The best time to visit Shimla is between October and November, when the temperature is
moderate. From December till February it gets very cold with heavy snowfall. In the summer
months from April till June the town is overcrowded with tourists escaping the hot plains,
and it is best to stay away at this time.
Accommodation in Shimla
Shimla has a host of hotels and guesthouses in various price ranges, but finding a place
during the peak tourist seasons is near impossible. So if you are travelling between April
and September, be sure to book well in advance. Also, rates double during this season. In
the off-season, between November and April, it is possible to get heavy discounts. Some
hotels also shut down in this period. Most of the accommodation is around the Ridge,
ranging from the low budget hostels to the heritage hotels. |
