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deodar trees.
This magnificent setting of the Himalayan mountains is framed
by high peaks that trace a snow clad line across the north.
According to the people, once Shimla gets in your blood, it
never leaves. It calls you back time after time and at every
moment, the town is capable of showing a fresh nuance to its
rich and varied character. Today Shimla retains a substantial
measure of a distinct lifestyle that had grace, leisure and
elegance. This town has well-developed facilities and numerous
attractions and activities due to which it is the most popular
destination.
History of Shimla
In the 18th century, India saw the growth of a totally new
urban concept, the ‘hill station’. These hill stations were
built by the British rulers and were treated as the retreat
from the summer heat. The state of Himachal Pradesh has some
towns that belongs to the colonial rule like Kassauli,
Dalhousie, Palampur, Dharamshala and Shimla. Shimla was a
nondescript village which was known as Shimlu, Shemalaya,
Semla, Shumla and Shemla. Shimla was the summer capital of
British India and today, this is the state capital of Himachal
Pradesh. According to the legends, the Shimla is known so due
to the goddess Shamla, the Hindu goddess Kali who is held in
high veneration in these hills. The first house in Shimla was
built by a European in 1882, also regarded as the ‘Kennedy
House’. In 1827, Lord Amherst and Lord Combermere also visited
Shimla.
Shopping in Shimla
As Shimla is the state capital, so handicrafts from all over
the state come here for sale. The Mall in Shimla has some of
the good and big names in the garment and textile industry.
The State emporium offers various handicrafts and handloom
items, which are made by the artisans of Himachal. One of the
famous handicraft item is the famous Himachali hat that comes
in different rates and colors. Lakkar Bazaar is famous for
wooden items made from the softwood found in the hilly region.
Dry fruits and natural herbs, which have many medicinal
properties, are also easily available in the shops.
Tourist Attractions in Shimla
The major tourist attractions in Shimla are some of the
colonial buildings. Some of the buildings are Eller in the
Chotta Shimla, Barnes Court or Raj Bhavan, the Cedars and the
Christ Church. Other tourist attractions in Shimla are the
Gaiety Theatre, Scandal Point, the Kali bari temple and the
Jakhoo hill. The temple of Kali Bari, near the Mall is one of
the oldest temple in Shimla, dedicated to the goddess Kali.
Jakhoo Hill is the Shimla’s highest point and offers a
spectacular view of the town, hills and distant mountain
ranges.
More....
How to reach Shimla
By Air:
Shimla is connected to all important parts of the country by
the regular flights of Indian Airlines and other private
domestic airlines.
By Rail:
The broad gauge train services link Shimla to New Delhi,
Mumbai, Kolkata, Cochin, Trivandrum, Hyderabad, Bangalore,
Coimbatore, Lucknow, Guwahati and many other places. A
narrow-railway links Kalka with Shimla. This important
rail-link was built in 1924 and its "toy trains" still ply
between the two stations, passing through 105 tunnels and
beautiful rail-road stations. The train takes about six hours
and is a very exciting journey.
By Road:
Shimla is well connected by road with all parts of Himachal
Pradesh, the neighbouring states of Punjab, Haryana, Jammu and
Kashimir and the Union territory of Chandigarh. |
