Shimla

She seemed a thing that could not feel the touch of earthly years.

-William Wordsworth

Shimla a place where you can drop all your worries and let the nature slip in your nerves make you feel at ease. I recently visited Shimla and I was quite mesmerized with what Shimla has to offer from nature to mountains to the amazing river, valleys and historic architecture. Shimla has it all. It is said that Shimla takes its name from “ Shimla” Meaning a blue female another name for  Goddess Kali.

Shimla is the capital of northern Indian State of Himachal Pradesh, it’s located in Himalayan foothills. It’s once known as the British India summer capital. Shimla has many temples, and tourist places adding to its finest glories. Shimla is not just about temples and tourist places but it has majestic snow clad mountains, rich greenery and the beautiful lakes. There’s a sense of magic in the air of Shimla that makes you anticipated for its timeless beauty. No wonder! it’s known as the Queen of Hill Stations.

While the British ruled in India the land did captivated the hearts of the Britishers. The British presence is evidently found in the architect of the buildings in Shimla. If you’re going on a budget in Shimla I suggest please have more money than you think. If you live in any part of India and wish to visit Shimla make sure you know they charge double of what you think. It’s costly as compared to other cities like I live in Mumbai and as compared to Mumbai Shimla is way much more costly than I originally thought.

The travelling route for Shimla I suggest Chandigarh is very much close as compared to Delhi, your trains and flight only reach till Chandigarh or Delhi after that you need to go by a car or by private buses. One of the best part of Shimla is that you can visit it at any time of the year and you will still love it. Some of the leading places in Shimla are a must visit for any person who wishes to visit Shimla.

The Mall Road – Mall road is famous for handcrafts shops which have a pedestrian avenue is located below The Ridge. You can’t go to the mall road by car or by any other vehicle there is a point where all the transport have to stop and from there you have to walk around the famous Mall road which is interconnected to many other tourist destinations. Mall road consisted of shops, cafes, book shops and restaurants where you can have fun leisure while shopping your heart out. (It’s shit costly though) All I ate at the mall road are my famous Walnuts 😉

The Ridge – At the centre of the town is the Shimla Ridge which offer an enthralling view of the mountains. The Ridge is a spacious open place which runs along with The Mall Road yet another famous tourist destination

Scandal Point – Scandal Point connects with the Ridge on the west. If you love mountains than its the best place for you the three of them are inter connected to each other with other points as well. The Marvellous view of snow clad mountains spellbinds you with its breathtaking view.

Lakkar Bazar – Lakkar Bazar is a market specialized in wooden toys and crafts it goes along with The Ridge.

The Christ Church – An exquisite sculpture of neo-gothic architecture, the christ church is a famous example of the presence of British culture and has been an irreplaceable part of Shimla’s glory. It took three years to built the church and is one of the architectural marvel in the History of India’s glories. The town’s British colonial architectural heritage includes Gothic Victorian structures such as Christ Church and the Gaiety Theatre

Jakhu Temple – It is situated 2km away from Shimla is the highest peak in the entire Shimla. Hindu shrines in the area include Kali Bari Temple near The Mall and Jakhu Temple on Jakhu Hill, dedicated to the monkey god Hanuman. Jakhoo Hill is famous tourist attraction and pilgrim destination as well. (Beware don’t instigate the monkey)

Summer Hill – Located in the outskirts of Shimla Summer Hill is also called Potters Hill. It’s said that in the past there were potters who used to make clay pots it’s named after them. Summer Hill offers breathtaking view of the valley and greenery around.

Indian Institute of Advanced Study – Indian Institute of Advanced study also known as the Rashtrapati Niwas is on top of the observatory hill. It charges 20 INR for the entry. The architecture screams rich glory of britishers and later Indian constitutions decision were made. A guide is present over there for all the details of the Institute from start till the end. There’s also a mock-Tudor half-timbered library, and the Scottish baronial mansion formerly known as Viceregal Lodge, built in 1888 and now home to an academic foundation. There are gardens surrounded around the niwas for a great photoshoot.

• There are many valleys in Shimla which will give you a great experience of nature and a pleasurable sunset which you won’t be able to get enough of. The major Valleys/Hills are:
• Shimla Hills
• Panthaghati
• Green Valley
• Tirthan Valley
• Pabbar Valley

Shimla also has a another spectacular location little far away named as Kufri. Kufri is a picturesque hill station situated 2 km from Shimla. It has many valleys on its way and has a Nature & Adventure park also known as Kufri fun world where you can enjoy different rides and adventures as well as enjoy the scenic beauty and tons of photographs to be shot. The other famous destinations are the Himalayan Nature Park, Green Valley, Mini zoo and Kufri Valley. Chini Bungalow is prime location in Kufri where you need to pay INR 1000+ and ride a horse which will take you up to the peak of the mountain where you can enjoy the beautiful nature and various adventure such as river crossing etc.

” She seemed a thing that could not feel the touch of earthly years” Wordsworth words are heavy and have strong effect on us but he just explains so correctly nobody can take away Shimla’s glory. Shimla consists of not just valleys, hills and temples but also consists of mesmerizing nature and trees which never fails to impress any of its visitors. Every road of Shimla you’ll find Maggie the famous food in Shimla which costs different in each area most 50 INR per plate.

Shimla never ceases to impress it’s tourist and make them long for more. The breeze has magic in it which can take away your worries and stress and make you feel at home. The people in Shimla always welcome you with open arms please make sure you have handy cash with you as ATM are a hassle to find and prices are higher than you think for almost all the things.

The Queen of Hill Station is strongly recommended by any traveller but ensure you have your itenary ready with you, warn clothes, nice pair of shoes instead of sandals as the roads are a bit dangerous as we all know its situated in mountains. Camera out of all is a must have as you won’t be able to resist take picture of what nature has to offer. From mid-July to mid-September Shimla is frequently wreathed in cloud, and from January it often gets a carpeting of snow. November is cold but clear with a distant horizon of Himalayan peaks sometimes visible from The Ridge.

Note: I hope this blog helped people with different places and I have written everything as per my knowledge and the details the travel guide gave me while I went to visit Shimla.

@fictitiousddremer | Maisha