SHIMLA

Old timers sa that once Shimla gets in your blood it never leaves. It calls you back time after time and at every moment the town is capablew of sowing a fresh nuance to its rich and varied character. As the former summer capital of British India, Shimla has a rare range of built heritage and is surrounded by thick forests of pine.

Himalayan oak flowering rhododendron and tall cedars the almost legendary deodar trees This magnificent setting and picture of idyllic retreat in the midranges of the Himalaya mountains is framed by high peaks that trace a snow clad line across the north.

Today’s Shimla retains a substantial measure of a distinct lifestyle that had grace leisure and elegance as its hallmarks. But unlike a place that lives on memories alone the town also has youthful vigor in its step and its well-developed facilities and numerous attractions and activities have ensured its popularity down the decades.

Shimla’s colonial past

Eighteenth century India saw the growth of totally new urban concept the hill station . Initially built by the British rulers of the country these towns grew to become retreats fro the heat and dust of the plains. With the mightily Himalayan mountains and its sub systems as their backdrop, the state of Himachal Pradesh as towns that date back to the hey day colonial rule – Kasauli Dalhousie, Palampur Dharamsala, and the grandees of the all Shimla.

The first house , built by a European in 1822 is regarded to be Kennedy house which was the residence of Charles Pratt Kennedy the newly appointed Political Officer to the Hill States.

As the summer capital Shimla also saw a spate of remarkable building activity in the town and some of the finest structures of the British colonial genre still stand over its seven hills. Today the lingering strands of Shimla’s past still echo through its streets and building, which have so much history, packed into them.

Shimla Colonial Core

A walk over Shimla’s main spur will display some of Shimla’s finest colonial structures. Starting in the east, Ellersle in Chotta Shima was the former Secretariat of the Punjab and now houses the Government of Himachal Pradesh.

One Shimla’s prominent Ridge lies the new Gothic Christ Church where the first cornerstone was laid on 9 September 1844 even today the church has some interesting memorial tablets while the pews still mark the seats of British Viceroy of India, the Commander in chief and the Punjab’s governor.

Just below this is the catholic Church , St. Michael’s Cathedra. Built with a partial though elegant vocabulary of the French Gothic style, the exterior of St. Michael’s is of dressed gray stone. The floor plan follows a cruciform and this is one of the town’s most striking buildings. Over the high altar is a rich tapestry of glass that depicts a group of the crucifixion. A stature of Our Lady of Guadulupe presented by the people of Mexico has also been installed in the church.

Shopping

Local tweed shawls, horticultural produce like jams and squashes, silver jewellery Himachal’s distinctive caps handicrafts like carpets jackets paintings and metal ware and wooden items like bowls and walking sticks.

Museums & Culture

The Gaiety theatre on the mall has shows fairly regularly. The treatre is modeled on a prize-winning design and the building was design and the building was completed in 1888. Several noted people have performed on its stage and include some major Bollywood personalities.

Himachal State Museum at Inver am has rich display of the state’s cultural artistic and archaeological heritage.  

Rewalsar Lake

LOCATION: At an altitude of 1360 m in district Mandi, 24 k.m. from Mandi town. It is square shaped with a shoreline of 735 m, this dark jewel rests on a mountain spur and is protected by a dense vegetation. The spot is held sacred by Hindus, Sikhs and Buddhists alike. Legend has it that the great teacher and 'Tatric'.Padmasambhava used his enormous power to take fight to Tibet from Rewalsar. Also known as Guru Rimpoche, it was under Padmasambhava's influence that Mahayana Buddhism took root in Tibet at Rewalsar, his spirit is said to reside in the tiny island of floating reed that drifts over the water. There are three Buddhist monasteries at Rewalsar. Rewalsar has three Hindu temples which are dedicated to Lord Krishna, Lord Shiva and to the sage Lomas. A small zoo is maintained near the lake. The lake of Kunt Bhyog (1750 m above sea level) lies above Rewalsar as do six other lakes of mythology. These are associated with the escape of 'Pandavs' from the burning palace of wax-an episode from the epic, Mahabharta.

Temples, Gurudwaras & Monasteries.

The temple of Kali Bari is near the mall and was founded in 1845 by Ram Charan Bhramachari, a Bengali Brahmin. The temple one of the oldest in Shimla is held in high veneration by the town’s Hindu community and is dedicated to the goddess Kali.

Jakhoo Hill is Shimla’s highest point and offers a spectacular view of the town, hills and distant mountain ranges. The peak has  temple dedicated to Bhagwan Hanuman.

The Hill of Tara Devi (12 kms by vehicular road) is crowned by a temple of the same name. Vehicular acess to the shrine is along a road that bifurcates at Shoghi. The views are spectacular. Sunday mornings have a throng of devotees and there is a lunch bhandara.

Buddhist Monasteries are there a Kusumpti and at Sanjauli (Gelukpa sect)
Founded in 1885 , the main Gurudwara and the hall of the Singh Sabha is near the main bust stand.

Shimla ‘s Suburbs & Day Excursions.

The glade of Sipur lies below the suburb of Mashoba and there is a beautiful wood and gray slate temple on this idyllic spot. A somewhat tougher trek can be continued to the Shali peak which at 3000m is the highest in the area.

Carignano near Mashobra was the suburban residence of the celebrated Italian confectioner and photographer the Chevalier Peliti.

Tattapani  (51 km): - has hot sulphur springs that are know for their healing powers.

Kufri : is a destination in its own right, this is 16 km form Shimla and has long been famous for its ski slopes and fine views. The Himalayan nature park is also at Kufri and the area has a fair amount of options for family entertainment.

Fagu (22 km) is a tiny village that rests astride a mountain saddle along the Hindustan Tibet Road.

Narkanda : - lies 64 km from Shimla and has a choice of ski runs thick woods and superb vies. The peak of Hatu raised over this small town and it covered with thick woods. The views from the top are quit amazing.

Seasonal Activates

Skiing – winter. Late December, January and February.

Ice Skating : - Winter Mainly December and early January.

Golf : - April to October at Naldehra