Shimla formerly known as Shimla is the capital city of Himachal Pradesh. In 1864, Shimla was declared the summer capital of the British Raj in India. A popular tourist destination, Shimla is often referred to as the 'Queen of Hills,' a term coined by the British. Shimla City Located in the north-west Himalayas at an average altitude of 2,205 metres (7,234 ft), the city of Shimla, draped in forests of pine, rhododendron, and oak, experiences pleasant Summers and cold, snowy winters. The city is famous for its buildings styled in tudorbethan and neo-gothic architecture dating from the colonial era. Shimla is connected to the city of Kalka by one of the longest narrow gauge railway routes still operating in India, the Kalka-Shimla Railway. Shimla is approximately 145 km (90 mi) from Mandi, 100 km (62 mi) from Chandigarh, the nearest major city, and 365 km (227 mi) from New Delhi Hindu Goddess Kali.
Shimla, along with Almora, Kumaon, Garhwal, Sirmaur, Dehradun and Kangra, was invaded and captured by Prithvi Narayan Shah of Nepal. Shortly later, the British East India Company with local kings went to war with Nepal from 1814 to 1816. At the conclusion of the war, as a result of the Sugauli Treaty, all these captured parts of North India were ceded to the British East India company. At that time, Shimla was known for the temple of Hindu Goddess ShyamalaDevi, and not as a city as it is today. The bridge connecting Shimla with Minor Shimla, erected in 1829 by Lord Combermere, Shimla, 1850s Not long after gaining possession of Shimla, the British began to develop the area. The Scottish civil servant Charles Pratt Kennedy built the first British summer home in the town in 1822. Lord Amherst, the Governor-General of Bengal from 1823 to 1828, set up a summer camp here in 1827, when there was only one cottage in the town, and only 'half a dozen' when he left that year. There were more than a hundred cottages within ten years. Shimla soon caught the eye of Lord William Bentinck, the next Governor-General of Bengal from 1828 (later of India, when the title was created in 1833) to 1835. In a letter to Colonel Churchill in 1832, he wrote. "Simla is only four days march from Loodianah (Ludhiana), is easy of access, and proves a very agreeable refuge from the burning plains of Hindoostaun (Hindustan)."
Jakhu Temple is a majestic temple and dedicated to Lord Hanuman. Situated on the top of the beautiful Jakhu hill at an altitude of 2455 metres above the sea level it is surrounded by forest. There are many monkeys around this temple but fortunately do not attack travellers. It is few kilometres from the city of Shimla.
Christ Church at the Ridge is the second oldest church in northern India constructed in 1846-1857. Designed by Colonel J T Boileau, the Church features a clock on the church tower that was put up in 1860. The porch along with the church was added in 1873.
The church is visible from miles away. Its brass plaqaues and stained glass windows are an attraction that exhibit faith, hope, charity, fortitude, patience and humility. The fresco surrounding chapel window was designed by Rudyard Kipling's father, Lockwood Kipling.
Situated along with the Municipal Library, the church is open for every day services. The neo-Gothic cathedral is situated beside a mosque.
Dorje Drag Monastery is a major tourist destination in Shimla. The mesmerising monastery stands gloriously and shines with its holistic features of Tibetan Almighty. It has a pleasant ambience that is sure to soothe mind and body and feel rejuvenated. If you are planning to visit Shimla then never miss this stunning monastery.
The Kali Bari Temple, one of the ancient temples of the city, was built in 1845. Dedicated to the fearsome reincarnation of Goddess Kali, known as Shyamala, the Goddess is believed to have existed near Jakhoo. The shrine of the blue Goddess existed near Rotheny Castle on Jakhoo before it was shifted to a place, known as Kali Bari at present.In the temple, a wooden image of the Goddess Kali in the form of Shyamala is worshipped. The original altar at the shrine was established by the Bengali devotees as per historians. Goddess Kali is worshipped in the forms like Bhavani, Bhadrakali, Cchinnamasta, Chamunda Durga, Himavati, Kumari Sati, Kamakshya, Meenakshi,
Rothney Castle is the property and also a major tourist destination of Shimla. It is also known as Rothney castle estate at Jakhu Hill. This is the property shown as a tourist point of the Himachal Government and was a heritage home of A O Hume. The castle is surrounded by beautiful greenery sceneries.
Himalayan Aviary or the Himalayan Bird Park is nearby the Vice regal lodge situated in Shimla at a height of over 2000 meters and a wonderful place for nature lovers. It has natural green pastures filled with rare plants and trees. Besides, it also has a huge collection of bird species like the Peafowl, Pheasants, Himalayan Monal (Himachal Pradesh State bird).
St Mary's Church is located at Kotgarh, situated nearby Shimla. It was constructed in 18th century; exact date varies most records attribute it to 1843 while others claim it was constructed in 1872. However, being in the exquisite natural beauty and near the Himalayan Range makes it a place worthwhile to see. Besides, the drive to the Church goes through mustard fields, blue hills and the important historic place of Thanedar where the very first apple orchard was planted in 1916 by Samuel Stokes.
The Ridge, a famous sightseeing location of Shimla, is positioned on Jakhoo Hill at an altitude of 2,230 meters. This historic site is the center of the city's cultural and social events and gives a beautiful view of the snow-covered Himalayan ranges. Located in the heart of Shimla, the open space at the Ridge stretches from east to west above the Mall Road and joins it at the Scandal Point on the west. Some other noteworthy sites at the Ridge are The Christ Church, State Library and The Gaiety Theatre. From the Ridge, tourists can also stroll to Lakkar Bazaar, a wooden crafts market or climb up from the State Library to Jakhoo hill. The way to Lakkar Bazaar leads to a roller skating rink and the Indira Gandhi Medical College. Tourists can enjoy horse riding at the Ridge along with shopping from various Himachal handicraft centers on the Mall. The Ridge also hosts annual events like summer festival, government functions and New Year's Eve celebration. A large water reservoir at the Ridge is the main water supplier of Shimla town and surrounding areas.
The Chail Wildlife Sanctuary is a forest cover, perched over the Himalayas at an altitude of 1,000 metres to 2,180 metres above sea level. The hunting reserve of the Royals of the Patiala Kingdom, the forest reserve was declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1976. The region demarcates itself from the rest of the Himalayan belt with sudden surge of pine, oak and cedar trees. The forest rich with Himalayan flora becomes dense with rise in altitude. The Chail Wildlife Sanctuary is a habitat of numerous wild animals, which includes leopard, rhesus Macaque, Indian Muntjac, wild boar, crested porcupine, panthers and ghoral.
The sanctuary is also home to European red deer, sambar, Himalayan black bear, langur and black-napped hare. Cheer pheasant and Kalij pheasant are among the notable species of birds in the sanctuary.
The Nature Park in Summer Hill is among the noteworthy sightseeing spots, located at a distance of 5 kilometers from the city centre. The suburb stands at a height of 6,500 feet on the Kalka-Shimla railway line. Summer hill, also known as Potter's Hill is among seven-hill clusters forming the hill station of Shimla. The name of Potter's hill originated from yesteryears, when potters visited the place to gather clay for making pots. Rich in variety of hilly flora and fauna, the hill situated next to Observatory Hill has a canopy of temperate forest. This Nature Park is frequented by thousands of holidaymakers, who can also enjoy horse rides through these dense forests of cedars and oaks. The suburb also houses a widespread campus of Himachal Pradesh University established in 1975. This institution offers Post Graduate Programmes in Humanities, Commerce, Science, Management, Law and Languages. The beautiful township of Summer Hill can be accessed from Kalka-Shimla national highway. Besides, tourists can walk through the mall in the western end along with Chaura Maidan.
A judicious shopper would definitely find Shimla shopping an enjoyable experience. You wouldn't be stuck with the question of what to buy in Shimla, as the place has a huge variety of things to offer tourists. The place is well known for its handicrafts and other handmade artifacts. Read on further to know where to shop in Shimla. One of the most popular places to go to for shopping is at the Mall road in Shimla. This place is the shopping hub and commercial center of Shimla. One can find small souvenirs and knick-knacks here along with handicrafts and other artifacts that Shimla is famous for. You can buy the famous Himachali caps that are available in almost any shop.
These caps come in various colors and designs and also have intricate designs embroidered on them. You can buy a variety of these caps, as they are very affordable and absolutely comfortable. Yet another item that tops a shopper's list in Shimla are the woolen shawls that are available very easily in every shop in Shimla. These shawls come in different shapes and sizes and the variety of colors is huge. The shawls come in different kinds of wool also. One can find mirror work, thread work, sequins and embroidery decorating these shawls. Apart from shawls, you can always pick up colorful gloves, sweaters and socks, which are not found anywhere else in India and are exclusive of Shimla. Another popular shopping place is the Lower Bazaar, which is also known as the Subzi Mandi. This place is absolutely chaotic yet full of life. There are endless mazes of narrow lanes merging into one another and just when you think there is a dead end ahead, you find another lane full of shops selling just about anything you can think of! Local craftsmen make beautiful walking sticks by carving woossd in different designs and shapes. You could one of those and use it while you walk along the woods. This is available in Lakkar Bazaar (lakkad means wood), which is quite famous for wooden souvenirs.
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