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- Posted On : 05 Nov 2022
- Category : Shimla
Shimal Queen Of Hills
Shimla is a beautiful hill station that is the capital of Himachal Pradesh. Situated at an elevation of 2202 meters above sea level, this place is also known as 'Summer Refuge' and 'Queen of Hill Stations'. The present Shimla district was created in 1972. This name of this place is derived from 'Shyamala', another name of 'Maa Kali'. Jakhu, Prospect, Observatory, Elysium and Summer are the important hills of this place. In 1864, this place was declared the summer capital of British India. After independence, this place was also the capital of Punjab for some time. Shimla was later made the capital of Himachal Pradesh. Travelers' paradise This picturesque mountainous area attracts various tourists. Tourists can enjoy breathtaking views of this mountain range from the ridge, a sprawling open area that links Lakkar Bazaar and Scandal Point. Jakhu Temple is dedicated to Lord Hanuman, which is situated at an altitude of 8048 meters above sea level. Colonel J.T. The beautiful Christ Church, designed by Boileau, is adorned with colored glasses that feature views of the ridge. Dorje Drake Monastery belongs to the Ningma tradition which reflects Tibetan Buddhist culture. On the other hand, there is a Kali Bari temple dedicated to Goddess Kali Devi, where devotees keep a throng throughout the year. Hindu festivals like Diwali, Navratri and Durga Puja are celebrated with full pomp and gaiety in this temple. Devotees can also visit the Sankatmochan temple located at an altitude of 1975 m above sea level. This temple is dedicated to Lord Hanuman and was built in 1966. Different temple complexes have been replaced by different deities. Beautiful ancient structures Shimla is famous for ancient heritage buildings, which represent the British architectural style. Rothney Castle is one of these buildings that used to be the residence of Alan Octavian Hume. Tourists can also visit the 'Manorville Mansion' where Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Sardar Patel and Maulana Azad stayed in a meeting with Lord Wavell in 1945 to discuss the issue of independence. Another attractive heritage building, the Town Hall which was built in 1919, currently houses the office of Shimla Municipal Corporation office. The Viceregal Lodge, built in 1888, is also known as the Rashtrapati Niwas. It is a six-story building surrounded by well maintained lawns and gardens. The Indian Institute of Advanced Study is currently located in this building. The Renaissance architectural style of this building makes it an attractive and hot tourist destination of Shimla. The Gaiety Cultural Heritage Complex represents the Gothic Victorian architectural style, designed by 'Henry Irwin'. This building complex offers visitors the opportunity to see a large collection of traditional and modern artifacts. The building has an auditorium and an old theater. Woodville was the residence of General Sir William Rose Mansfield. Who served as Commander-in-Chief during the colonial period in India. The building was converted into a heritage hotel in 1977. Gorton Castle and Railway Board Building are also marvels of Shimla's colonial architecture. The diverse tourist attractions provide an opportunity to see various species of birds including the avian state bird 'Monal' of the Himalayas. The Glen, which is an ideal picnic spot, is located at a distance of 4 km from the ridge. It is a delightful site with a panoramic stream and greenery. Tourists can also go for a picnic in Annandale. During the British rule, racing, polo and cricket were played in this open area. The historic toy train journey was started in 1903 by Lord Curzon. The trip provides an opportunity to cover a distance of 96 km, passing through beautiful valleys and mountains. 'Solan' Madh Nirman Shala, Darlaghat, Scandal Point, Kamna Devi Temple, Jakhu Hill and Gorkha Gate are popular tourist attractions of this place. The Himachal State Museum and Library displays micro and miniature hill paintings and books, Mughal, Rajasthani and contemporary paintings. Various bronze artifacts, photographs, stamp collections, anthropology related items can also be seen here. Shimla offers some special shopping opportunities to its visitors. Shopping areas like malls, Lower Bazaar and Lakkar Bazaar are famous for unique wooden crafts and souvenirs. Tourist activities in Shimla Shimla is famous for having the largest ice skating rink in India. During the winter, the ground is covered with natural snow and this is the time (December to January) when skating is thoroughly enjoyed. Tracking is also very popular here. Places like Junga, Chail, Churdar, Shali Peak, Hatu Peak and Kullu are connected to Shimla by various routes. Tourists can explore Naldehra and Salogra by mountain biking from their destination. Rivers like Vyas, Ravi, Chenab and Jhelum offer tourists the opportunity of rafting. A commentary on the weather of Shimla Shimla enjoys a pleasant climate throughout the year which makes it worth visiting throughout the year. The road to Shimla is well connected by air, rail and road. The Jubarhati air port is the nearest air base to this location. Indira Gandhi