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Shimla (also spelt as 'Simla')
derives its name from goddess 'Shayamla Devi', which is
another manifestation of Goddess Kali. The capital of
Himachal Pradesh came into light when the British
discovered it in 1819. Till then, it was a part of the
Nepalese kingdom. In 1864 Shimla was declared as the
summer capital of India. After Independence, Shimla
became the capital of Punjab and was later named the
capital of Himachal Pradesh. In 1903 a rail line was
constructed between Kalka and Shimla. Shimla has been
blessed with all the natural bounties, one can think of.
Dwelling on a panoramic location, the hilly town is
surrounded by green pastures and snow-capped peaks. The
spectacular cool hills accompanied by the structures
made during the colonial era create an aura, which is
very different from other hill stations. Bulging at its
seams with unprecedented expansion, Shimla retains its
colonial heritage, with grand old buildings; among them
are the stately Viceregal Lodge, charming iron lampposts
and Anglo-Saxon names. The Mall, packed with shops and
eateries, is the centre of attraction of the town, and
Scandal Point, associated with the former Maharaja of
Patiala's escapades, offers a view of distant snowballed
peaks.
PRIME ATTRACTIONS OF SHIMLA
Christ Church & St. Michael's Cathedral:
Built in 1846-1857, Christ Church is the second oldest
church of Northern India. The Church overlooks the ridge
and is one of the landmarks of Shimla. The clocks on
Christ Church were added later but none of them are
functional now. The Church's exquisite beauty comes with
the stained glasses that are fitted on its windows. The
towns other important churches are St. Michael's
Cathedral and Roman Catholic Cathedral, which is just
off the Mall. The most prominent building on the Mall is
the yellow Christ Church, reputed to be the second
oldest church in northern India. The silhouette of this
can be seen on the skyline for miles around. It was
designed by Colonel JT Boileau in 1844, but consecrated
only after 1857. Colonel Dumbleton donated the clock in
1860, and the porch added in 1873. In Shimla 75 years of
reigning as summer capital, a long line of officials and
other notables of the Raj came to the church for their
Sunday prayers. The seasonal influx would be so great at
times that space would pose a big problem. Now, of
course, the congregations have dwindled and there is no
lack of space. It still has those lovely stained glass
windows for which it is so famed. Check out the one that
represents the virtues of Faith, Hope, Charity,
Fortitude, Patience and Humility. But around the chancel
window used to be a beautiful fresco designed by Rudyard
Kipling's father, Lockwood Kipling, who was the
principal of Mayo School of Art in Lahore. But nothing
of it remains today. Note the interesting brasses and
plaques too that are present over here. One can
discreetly have a look inside the church, or attend
English-language services every Sunday during the
tourist season. The other main church in Shimla is St
Michael's Cathedral just below the Central Telegraph
Office
Himachal State Museum & Library:
The museum is located 2.5-km west of the scandal point
and opens daily except on Mondays and public holidays.
It has got a good collection of ancient historical
sculptures, paintings, coins, photos and other items
from all over the state as well as outside it. It has
also got a library, which houses many historical books
and manuscripts. Housed in a charming colonial building,
Inverarm, the State museum is located atop a hill that
rises above the Chaura Maiden. A selection of Himachal's
rich heritage is displayed over here. It is a stiff
1500m hike to the museum, but well worth the effort; its
diverse collection includes contemporary and antique
works of art, well displayed in a colonial mansion. The
gallery houses the magnificent Pahari miniature
paintings, which are the examples of the last great
Hindi art form to flourish in northern India before the
deadening impact of the Western culture in the early
19th century. Stone sculpture of considerable antiquity
and artistic merit assorted bronzes, arms and armour,
dolls, anthropological items and numismatic finds are
also on display. Among the museums paintings are dozens
of Moghul and Rajasthan miniatures and a couple of fine
'Company' watercolors. Also worth checking out are the
striking contemporary oils of the Himalayas, a small
collection of the 19th and 20th century deity masks from
Kullu and Saharan and a remarkable collection of temple
bronzes. One room is devoted to Mahatma Gandhi, packed
with fascinating photos of his time in Shimla, and
amusing cartoons of his political relationship with the
British
Viceregal Lodge & Botanical Gardens:
On the Observatory Hills is located Viceregal Lodge,
which is also known as "Rashtrapati Niwas". This
magnificent building was the residence of the British
Viceroy Lord Dufferin. This lodge was completed in 1888
and it is said that mules carried every brick for the
building. This is a six-storey building and is
surrounded by well-maintained gardens and lawns. The
lodge has now been converted into Institute of Advanced
Study and is further 2-km from State Museum. SHOPPING
CENTRE: The Mall: This is the main shopping centre of
Shimla with restaurants. The Gaiety Theatre, which is a
reproduction of an old British theatre, is a center of
cultural activities. A passenger lift of HPTDC can be
taken from the Cart Road and the Mall. Lakkar Bazaar
adjacent to the Ridge is popular for its woodcrafts and
souvenirs.
Prospect Hill:
Crowned by a temple dedicated to Kamna Devi 15-minutes
walk from Boileauganj on Shimla-Bilaspur road. The hill
at an altitude of 2,155m offers a spectacular view of
the area.
The Ridge:
The large open space in the heart of town presents
excellent view of the mountain ranges. Shimla's
landmarks - the Neo-Gothic structure of Christ Church
and the new - Tudor Library building is worth seeing.
Jakhu Temple:
Dedicated to Lord Hanuman, this temple is at an altitude
of 2,455m near the highest point of Shimla ridge. It
offers a fine view over the surrounding valleys, out to
the snowcapped peaks, and over the town itself. The
temple is a 45-minute walk from the Mall. Jakhu is a
vantagepoint for witnessing the changing skyline as the
sunrises or sets. No visit to the state capital Shimla
is complete without visiting Jakhu Hill. This hill looms
over Shimla town and is the geographical nucleus. The
Hanuman temple at the top of Jakhu hill is the highest
point in town. The steep climb is rewarding for the fine
views it offers over the surrounding valleys, out to the
snowcapped peaks and over Shimla itself. The temple is
only 2-km from the ridge at a height of 2,438m, but it
could be an hour's walk for a person not used to
mountain climbing. The temple is one of the most favored
spots for the tourists apart from the pilgrims.
The Legend:
Hanuman, the faithful ally of Lord Rama of the Ramayana
an epic, was the monkey God with whose help Lord Rama
was able to defeat the arch-demon Ravana, the king of
Lanka. The faithful nature of Hanuman is often
illustrated by his representations being found guarding
forts and palace entrances. The British never placed
Hanuman on top of Jakhu hill to guard the township. The
temple site predates the British Raj. An episode in the
Ramayana had Lakshman, Rama's brother mortally wounded
in a battle with Ravana's forces. Hanuman was sent to
fetch the mythical medicinal 'Sanjivini' herb from the
Himalayas in order to cure the wounded. The legend about
the temple is that Hanuman rested at Jakhu Hill after
collecting the herb. After resting, he journeyed back to
the battlefield of Lanka. There are many monkeys around
the temple, but surprisingly they don't attack people
unless fiddled with. Pilgrims offer them eatables, which
they readily accept. The approach to the temple is
through a dense forest of Deodars, though many find the
climb tiresome. Ponies are available for a to and fro
ride to the temple. The path towards the temple starts
just left of Christ Church. After the hard hack up, the
temple itself, a red and yellow brick affair crammed
with fairy lights and tinsel comes as something of an
anti climax. The shrine inside houses what are believed
to be the footprints of Hanuman?
Sankat Mochan:
On Shimla-Kalka road is the famous "Lord Hanuman"
temple. Situated at an altitude of 1,975m, it commands
an excellent view of Shimla town.
Tara Devi:
On Shimla-Kalka road this holy place is accessible by
rail, bus and car (11-km). From the station / road - one
can visit the temple either on foot or by taxi / jeep.
Chadwick Falls:
Surrounded by thick forests, one can reach these falls
by taking about 45-minutes (7-km) walk from Summer Hill
Chowk.
02-km beyond the Summer Hill and 7-km west of the ridge
from Shimla are the Chadwick Falls, which was once the
site of a 67-m aquatic spectacle. Today there is a
silent gorge, which is flocked by many picnickers.
Chadwick Falls is really worth visiting during or just
after the monsoons - from July to October.
Fagu (22-Km) 2,450m:
Situated on Hindustan-Tibet Road (22-km), at a height of
2,450m Fagu is gifted with some enchanting views.
Bharari Spur:
It is a less explored area within the town. From here,
one can take a long haul by foot through the thick cedar
forest to the Hot Springs of Tattapani, or to the ruins
of Kiar Koti.
Institute Of Advanced Studies:
Housed in the former Viceregal Lodge, it was built in
1888. A spectacular English Renaissance Grey stone
structure. The entry in the institute is by ticket and
only on Sundays the grounds are open for the public.
Annadale:
Surrounded by deodar trees, this glade has an ancient
temple on the edge.
Summer Hill:
At an altitude of 1,283m, Summer Hill is a picturesque
spot on Shimla-Kalka Railway line offering shady walks
in quiet surroundings. The Father of Nation, Mahatma
Gandhi during his visit to Shimla lived in the elegant
Georgian House of Raj Kumari Amrit Kaur located here. HP
University is also situated over here. |
