Town of Shimla. Image by Rishabh Malhotra
Named after the goddess Shyamala Devi, Shimla was once the summer capital of the British in India and is the present capital of Himachal Pradesh. It is one of India`s most popular hill resorts. Surrounded by pine, deodar, oak and rhododendron forests, it is situated in the lower ranges of the Himalayan mountains. Houses built on hills have a mix of both–modern and vintage–architecture styles to them and have a British feel to it. Down-to-earth and simple, you`ll find the people of Shimla always willing to help. While many are locals, people from Chandigarh have also settled here for work. Thus, the two main languages you will hear are Pahari and Punjabi (apart from Hindi and English).
If you`re in Shimla, make sure you don`t miss out on these interesting spots
Mall Road. Image by Lloyd D`souza
Mall Road
Always crowded, it is the main street in Shimla and the highest point. It can be reached either by climbing a huge flight of stairs or by using one of the two lifts available. Being one of the busiest places in Shimla, you`ll find restaurants, banks and tourist offices, here. No vehicles are allowed on this road and most tourists love walking down slowly, shopping or eating along the way.
The Ridge. Image by Rishabh Malhotra
Ridge Road
In the heart of town, from here you can get an excellent view of the mountain ranges and of Shimla`s landmarks–the neo-gothic structure of Christ Church and the neo-Tudor library building. It runs along the Mall Road, but at a higher level and is known to serve as a venue for Government functions and local celebrations in the town. The Ridge also connects most major places in Shimla including Lakkar Bazaar, Scandal Point and Jakhoo Hill. It is a large open space and you`ll find many people sitting here in the evenings, munching on evening snacks like momos and ice-cream.
Christ Church. Image by Lloyd D`souza
Christ Church
Located on the Ridge, Christ Church is one of the most prominent landmarks of Shimla. It is the second oldest church in North India. Visible for miles around the city, it has beautiful stained-glass windows, which represent different virtues of life.
Jakhoo Temple
The ancient temple dedicated to Lord Hanuman is located at the top of Jakhoo Hill, which is the highest peak in the area and offers a panoramic view of the city. There`s a 108-foot tall statue of Lord Hanuman. You have to walk up to the temple from the Ridge, but you can also hire ponies or a taxi. At the top, there are several playful monkeys who are always willing to accept titbits from pilgrims and tourists.
At Kufri Heights. Image by Ayesha Patel
Kufri
Kufri is another tourist spot, located on a higher altitude as compared to Shimla. Famous for its winter sports, you can try skiing while you`re there. Approximately an hour`s drive from the main Shimla city (around 15km), it also has an amusement park, where you can try go-karting, wire sliding and more. The perfect time to visit this area is in winters when it snows and adventure sports are in full swing. There`s also a Nature Park (a mini zoo), which is home to the Tibetan wolf, brown bears, leopards and the barking deer among other animals.
Shop till you drop
If shopping is your thing, Shimla is your shopping heaven. You`ll find handicrafts, shawls, fruit juices and jams, honey, rugs and carpets, pahari caps, books, handmade footwear and woollens. At Himachal Emporium you can shop for locally-designed woollens, pottery and jewellery. All of this is also available at various shops located on the Mall Road which has various showrooms and department stores. Just off the Ridge, Lakkar Bazar is popular for its wood crafts and souvenirs.
You can also check out the Glen, a thickly-wooded ravine; Shimla State Museum, which has a representative collection of Himachal's rich heritage, St. Michael's Cathedral, a beautiful stone structure known for its stained-glass.
With inputs from Rishabh Malhotra and Ayesha Patel