ALso known as Simla, is the capital and the largest city of the northern Indian state of Himachal Pradesh
Elevation 2,276 m (7,467 ft
IN 1864 Shimla was declared as the summer capital of British India, succeeding Murree.
After independence, the city became the capital of Punjab and was later named the capital of Himachal Pradesh. It is the principal commercial, cultural and educational centre of the state.
Shimla is home to a number of buildings that are styled in the Tudorbethan and neo-Gothic architectures dating from the colonial era, as well as multiple temples and churches.
The colonial architecture and churches, the temples and the natural environment of the city attracts tourists.
Attractions include the Viceroy Lodge, the Christ Church, the Jakhoo Temple, the Mall Road and the Ridge, which together form the city centre.
The Kalka–Shimla Railway line built by the British, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is also a major tourist attraction.
Owing to its steep terrain, Shimla hosts the mountain biking race MTB Himalaya, which started in 2005 and is regarded as the biggest event of its kind in South Asia.
Shimla also has the largest natural ice skating rink in South Asia.
Apart from being a tourism centre, the city is also an educational hub with a number of colleges and research institutions.
1) Jakhoo temple
It is situated on Jakhoo Hill, 2.5 km /1.3 miles east from the Ridge, Shimla at a height of 2,455 m (8,000 feet) above sea level.
Shimla's highest peak offers a panoramic view of the Shivalik Ranges and the town of Sanjauli.
An ancient "Lord Hanuman" temple is there and every year a big festival is held on Dussehra.
You can go to the temple by foot (a steep climb) from Ridge (path behind the church) or can hire a pony/horse. Taxis are available too.
One legend goes that Lord Hanuman stopped there to rest while he was searching for the Sanjivni Booti to revive Lakshmana in the Epic Ramayana
A giant 108-feet-high idol of Hanuman was unveiled at Jakhoo Hanuman temple in the year 2010.
2) IIAS( Indian institute of advanced studies:
The Indian Institute of Advanced Study (IIAS) is a research institute based in Shimla, India.
It was set up by the Ministry of Education, Government of India in 1964 and it started functioning from 20 October 1965.
The building that houses the institute was originally built as a home for Lord Dufferin, Viceroy of India from 1884–1888 and was called the Viceregal Lodge.
It housed all the subsequent viceroys and governors general of India.
It occupied Observatory Hill, one of the seven hills that Shimla is built upon.
Dr. S Radhakrishnan decided to turn it into a centre of higher learning.
The Indian Institute of Advanced Study was first created as a society on 6 October 1964.
The institute was formally inaugurated by Prof. S. Radhakrishnan on 20 October 1965.
3) Army Museum:
Cozy museum space offering educational displays on national army history, with weapons & uniforms.
Tourists who are lucky enough to visit this Army Heritage Museum would consider themselves blessed when they look at the huge collection of items kept here.
The visitors would get enriched by looking at varieties of collectibles that are somehow associated with the India Army.
To provide visitors detailed information about various items, collectibles are kept in a proper order by keeping them under specific section.
The history of Indian Army actually dates back to 2500 BC.
At this museum, you will find ancient weapons, ammunitions and life history of great Indian warriors.
4) The Ridge :
The Ridge road is a large open space.
Elevation: 2,205 m (7,234 ft)
The Ridge is the hub of all cultural activities of Shimla.
Most major places of Shimla like Snowdon, Mall, Jakhoo hill, etc. are connected through the Ridge.
Prominent landmarks on the Ridge are a neo-Gothic structure of Church from 1844 and a tudorbethan styled library building built in 1910.
There are three statues on the ridge; that of Mahatma Gandhi, Indira Gandhi, and Dr. Y.S. Parmar, the first chief minister of Himachal Pradesh.
The biggest hillstation of the world, at one time the base ridge of Shimla had the thickest forest of the area, now the green slopes are covered with firs, pines,
the Himalayan oak and carmine rhododendron trees, among which are dotted red-roofed chalets, half-timbered houses and Gothic Government buildings are visible from The Ridge.
Underneath the Ridge, large water tanks are placed from which water is supplied to the British era tourist town.
The Ridge houses the city's lifeline in terms of water reservoir, with a capacity of 1000000 gallons of water, beneath it.
Because of the fact that these tanks are significantly large in size, they have been used as the main water supply for Shimla.
The reservoir is stated to have been constructed in the 1880s, without using any cement and only lime mortar was used.
5)Christ chruch:
Christ Church, Shimla, is the second oldest church in North India, after St John's Church in Meerut.
Built in the neo-Gothic style in 1857 to serve the largely Anglican British community in what was formerly called Simla, Christ Church is situated on The Ridge.
It stands out as one of the prominent landmarks of Shimla and its silhouette is visible for kilometres around the vicinity of Shimla city.
Christ Church is one of the enduring legacies of the British Raj.
6)Lakkar Bazar:
Lakkar Bazaar is a marketplace adjoining the Ridge in Shimla, India.
Shops offer wooden articles targeted mainly at tourists.
There is also a roller skating rink in Lakkar Bazaar.
Lakkar Bazaar is known for wooden toys made by a small group of Sikh carpenters who settled there a century ago from Hoshiarpur.
Wooden walking sticks are famous.
Lakkar Bazar was like a small village in itself.
Sita Ram is famous for its alloo tikki and chole Bhature.
Regal Building, comprising a Cinema Hall, Roller Skating Hall and Meena Bazar is a famous place.
DAV School produced many famous personalities and is also located in Lakkar Bazaar.
7)Mall Road:
Mall Road is the main street in Shimla, the capital city of Himachal Pradesh, India. Constructed during British colonial rule.
Mall Road has a number of showrooms, department stores, shops, restaurants and cafes.
A Himachal emporium that offers handicraft products of Himachal Pradesh like locally designed woolen clothes, branded clothes, pottery items, wooden products, and jewellery is also located here.
8)Kali Bari temple:
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.
Located in close vicinity to the Shimla city mall, the temple can be reached by foot.
KUFRI
Kufri is a small hill station in Shimla district of Himachal Pradesh state in India. It is located 20 km from the state capital Shimla.
The name Kufri is derived from the word kufr meaning "lake" in the local language.
Kufri is located at an average elevation of 2,630 metres (8607 feet).
Kufri has a Himalayan wildlife zoo which hosts rare antelopes, felines and birds including the Himalayan monal.
Kufri Fun Campus an amusement park to enjoy the whole day.
A lifetime experience of adventure at the height of 2,630 metres
This park is an excellent destination for family to make a memorable day, is equipped with various rides, pools and world's highest go-kart track.
Huge number of children, teenagers and adults visit this place.Very nice place to visit to enjoy weather and sight seen throughout the year.
1)Apple Orchards:
A trek is always a pleasure as it gives an opportunity to bask in the beauty of nature.
Nothing can beat the almost divine experience of breathing in the fresh mountain air as you trek along paths of discovery which are fringed with the beautiful gems of nature.
A trek really comes alive when the landscapes and the region is unique and offers not only great views but something different, something you will always cherish as an unforgettable experience.
A trek to the apple orchards in Kufri is undoubtedly one such experience.
As you stroll around the apple orchards you are treated to the beautiful sight of the trees laden with fruits.
Apples of the variety Red Delicious and Golden Delicious will mesmerize you with their beauty.
These are the varieties which Samuel Evan Stokes planted a hundred years ago.
2)Himalayan Nature parks:
Himalayan nature Park Kufri, popularly known as ‘Kufri Zoo’ was established in 1992.
Zoo housing Himalayan species such as snow leopards & brown bears in a forested setting.
3)Mahasu Peak:
One of the highest points in Kufri, Mahasu Peak offers breathtaking views of Badrinath and Kedarnath ranges.
Hiking is the best ways to explore through a thick forest of deodar and spiff up to the top.
Here, you'll find Mahasu ridge, which is an ideal spot for the one who practice before hitting the cruder slopes.
Many tourists visit the peak during winter season to have some fun in the snow.
4)Adventures Resorts:
Adventure Resorts New Kufri HIMACHAL'S FIRST ADVANCED AMUSEMENT PARK surrounded with great Hiking, skiing, beautiful scenes and loads of adventure that's all about Kufri Fun campus.
Best Hill Adventure Sports experience ever in Shimla at 9000 ft height from Sea Level.
5)Hip HIP hurray:
Hip Hip Hurray Amusement Park is situated around 16 km away from Shimla, amidst beautiful hills of Kufri.
Spread over an area of 5000 sq m, this park features various rides, including bumper cars, gondola wheel, kiddies helicopters and double swing.
Virtual reality games, redemption games and air hockey are few of the exciting indoor games offered here.
6)Fun world:
Kufri Fun World is located at the top of Mahasu peak.
At over 2,800 metres (9,000 feet) above sea level, it is one of the highest amusement parks in the world and is famous for having the highest go-kart track on the planet.
Getting to the park is an adventure in itself.
Scale Mahasu peak on foot or let a mule take your weight and enjoy a ride up the bumpy track.
You will hear the park before you get to it as loud, popular music plays constantly, helping to fuel the fun-filled atmosphere
