Shimla City Guide - Holiday in The Queen of Hills

Feb 15
14:32

2011

Ruchira Roy

Ruchira Roy

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Shimla is one of the most loved hill stations in India. Situated in Himachal Pradesh, it is visited for the views of the snow-clad Himalayas. Shimla is also renowned for The Mall, where loads of shops are situated. In addition, Shimla is also known for its winter sports, particularly skiing and various competitions are held every year on its slopes.

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The British were fascinated by the charisma of Shimla and so was Kipling,Shimla City Guide - Holiday in The Queen of Hills Articles the famous novelist who based his novel in this location. It was the British who first discovered the potential of this sleepy hamlet and turned it into the most sought after destination in the country. The colonial tinge is still visible in the bungalows and churches that are dotted all over the town.

All the activities in Shimla are concentrated to the Mall area. It is the heartland of the town and has a concentration of all shops, hotels and major offices in the town. A number of interesting tourist spots are present around the area. A famous spot here is the Scandal Point. It is named after a scandalous story where a British Lady eloped with the Maharaja of Patiala. The Gaiety Theatre here is known to have staged performances of some of the best known faces in the field. The Kali Bari Temple is another notable attraction and houses a wooden idol of the deity. The Lakkar Bazaar, a traditional market for wood and wooden items, is accessible from here.

Some fine churches have been inherited from the past and kept well preserved in Shimla. The Christ Church is one of the finest examples and is also one of the oldest in North India. It is noted for its brilliant stained glass paintings. Another such renowned cathedral is the St. Michael's Cathedral. It has five marble alters which were imported from Italy.

Shimla is dotted with innumerable Hindu temples too. The Jakhoo Temple on Jakhoo Hill is a well known temple dedicated to Lord Hanuman. The Bhimkali Temple in Shimla is an ancient wonder and is believed to have been constructed 800 years ago. Dedicated to Durga, the temple is in Tibetan style and has a combination of Hindu and Buddhist temples. The Sankat Mochan temple is a major draw for Hanuman devotees. It also houses idols of Ram, Shiva and Ganesha. The temple complex has a Langar hall where Prasad is distributed to devotees. A temple dedicated to Tara Devi, the Goddess of Stars is also present in Shimla. Located on a hill it affords brilliant views of the town.

The Potter Hill in Shimla is a well known spot and gets its names from potters who come here to collect clay. Tourists however find the place interesting for the scenic walks it has to offer. The Annandale is another such famous spot in Shimla. A little away from the main town, it is a popular picnic spot and also serves as grounds for cricket and polo spot.

People find Shimla an interesting shopping destination for all the typical traditional goods it has to offer. Some must buys here include Himachali woolen shawls and Kullu caps. The Himachal Emporium at Mall is the best place out here to pick up some authentic local handicraft. One of the most unique shopping places here is the Maria Brothers. They sell rare books, maps and replicas of ancient manuscripts. One should not miss on picking some fresh fruit homemade stuff from Shimla.

With a huge inflow of tourist to Shimla, hotels have found their way here too. Ranging across a wide budget, there is some place for every kind of budget. From the best of star hotels to decent economical ones, Shimla has it all. Most of them have their own restaurants and cater to the needs of the guests. There is no dearth of food in Shimla either. One can rest assured of finding some place of ones preferences here.

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