📍Hill Queen Shimla
Seeing the frosty wind and white snow, he is very excited today. She dressed up again today. The light of the ice falls directly from the branches of his form. After the train leaves Howrah, all eyes are on the phone screen. Not on social media or any news site, everyone is busy checking where the ‘Queen of Hill’ temperature has dropped. Everyone is thrilled to see the number flashed on the screen. After reaching that thrill increased several times. Then Paharrani finished dressing up in winter clothes. I have reached Himachal Pradesh, a hilly state of the western Himalayas. For many, it is ‘God’s land’. Where nature has laid waste is the beauty of it.
📍Hill of Queen
Shimla is the capital of Himachal at an altitude of 2,213 meters above sea level. It was once the summer capital of the British. Now the temperature is below freezing point. All around the fair of the high mountains and somewhere or the mountain village descends the group of mountain trees.
Mall: After stepping into Shimla in the Konkan cold at the end of December, my mind was wondering when to go to the Mall. Mall Road is the most attractive place for tourists. Malls filled with restaurants and shops are the heart of the city as well as the commercial center. The mall can be reached by a 15-minute walk from Shimla Bus Stand.
The Ridge: As Maidan is the lung of Kolkata, so is The Ridge of Shimla. The scenic view of the mountains scattered all around from the wide open space is simply ‘amazing’. And in winter, the ice-covering brings light to that shape.
Jaku Hill and Jaku Temple: Jaku is the highest peak in Shimla. Jaku temple at the top of the hill. The presiding deity is Hanuman. The name of this mountain is connected with Hanuman’s lifting of the mountain in search of Sanjeevani to save Lakshmana in Ramayana!
Viceroyal Lodge: Official building of Viceroy Lord Dufferin. Currently it is Indian Institute of Advanced Studies. The view of sunset and sunrise from here is also eye-catching.
Summer Hill: Somewhere away from the hustle and bustle of the city, Summer Hill is quiet amidst oaks, rhododendrons and unnamed hill trees. Mahatma Gandhi stayed here at Princess Amrita Kaur’s house during his visit to Shimla. Here is Himachal Pradesh University.
Christ Church: The 2nd most oldest church in the side North India. This church was built between 1844-57. This church is one of the examples of Elizabethan architecture. St. Michael’s Cathedral: The first Catholic church here. Made in 1850. Coming here, the marble altars brought from Italy catch the eye.
Gaiety Theatre: This theater was built by the British in Neo-Gothic style for entertainment.
Gorton Castle: This huge house built by the British in 1904 today houses the office of the Accountant General.
Hot springs: Sulfurous hot springs are famous. Apart from this, river rafting is also available here on Shatdru river.
Shimla Kalibari: Shimla Kalibari is near the Legislative Assembly. Kalimurti here is brought from Jaipur. On the right is Goddess Mangalchandi and on the left is Goddess Shyamala. The name ‘Simla’ is derived from the name of Goddess Shyamala.
Lakkar Bazar: You can visit Lakkar Bazar via Scandal point from the mall.
Naldhera: Naldhera is very popular with tourists at an altitude of 2,044 meters, 22 km from Shimla. It has 1 of the oldest golf courses in India country. Which was created on the advice of Lord Curzon. This place was given by Lord Curzon to his daughter Alexandra. Alexandra’s second name was Naldhera.
Chadwick Falls: 2 km from Summer Hill is Chadwick Falls.
Sarahan: Sarahan is the gateway to Kinnar at an altitude of about 1,950 meters. One must come here to enjoy the beauty of Srikhand Range. You will see Bhimkali temple.
What’s more: The Glen, State Museum, Annandale Race Course, Shimla Water-basin Sanctuary, Prospect Hill and Temple of Goddess of Desire at the top of the hill, Phagu etc. can be visited.
Accommodation: Guest houses and hotels are managed by the Himachal Pradesh Tourist Development Corporation. Log on: hptdc.nic.in. Apart from this, there are good quality private hotels and home stays. There is Shimla Kalibari.
Festivals: The famous Summer Festival in Shimla. This international festival is organized every year in the month of May-June. Apart from this, Red Cross Fair and New Year are also celebrated here in winter with great fanfare.
📍Lovers Hill
When Maharaja Bhupendra Singh of Patiala was driven out of Shimla, he found the small village of Cheil at the top of the hill and decided to make it his summer residence. Dense forests of cedars all around. As the place is slightly higher (2,226 m) than Shimla, winter Shimla looks very beautiful from here. Today all his creations are the subject of research. Ornate furniture in the palace. The cottages and huts are still as beautiful today!
Surrounded by dense forest, orchards, this area is like ‘Lover’s Hill’. Elite lawns, badminton and tennis courts, billiards, children’s park, what is there! Chail is an ideal place for those who want to get away from the hustle and bustle and spend some quiet time. Apart from fishing or trekking, the world’s highest cricket and polo grounds are also here. Now it’s time to go out on a chail tour to enjoy the cold.
Sidh Baba Ka Mandir: Temple built by Maharaja Bhupendra Singh. It is said that a Siddh i.e. a Sattvic person told the Maharaja in a dream about building his temple here.
Cricket ground: The world’s highest cricket and polo ground on top of a hill at 2,444 meters is truly magnificent.
Wildlife Sanctuary: If you have time, you can also visit the wildlife sanctuary.
Kufri: Kufri is a small village surrounded by forest. The most interesting place here is the nature park. Trekking is also available here.
Sadhupul: Located between Kandaghat and Cheil, this village is basically a picnic spot.
Trekking: There are many trek routes in Cheil. The trek from Chor Pahar to Shimla is the longest. Many people are addicted to fishing. Fishing is also available in the Giri river at a distance of 29 km.
Getting there: There are several routes to Cheil by road. From Shimla via Kufri (45 km) or Kandaghat (61 km). Distance from Kalka is 86 km. Chail has regular buses from Shimla and Delhi. Nearest airport is Shimla (63 km).
📍Back in the 19th century
When you come to this hill station, you may feel as if you are back in the 19th century in a time machine. At an altitude of 1,800 meters, Kasauli is surrounded by magnificent beauty. From here the beauty of Shimla is really worth capturing on camera. Walking along the hilly winding paths amidst the pine and oak forests still smells of that colonialism.
Monkey Point: A saint named Rishi Man-ki worshiped here. His presiding deity was Lord Hanuman. Later, the small temple on the top of the hill was named after the Hanuman temple. Being a border region, the army is a bit strict and has some restrictions. Can’t take camera with you.
Baba Balaknath Temple: The famous Siddh Baba Balaknath temple on the top of the hill.
Shirdi Sai Baba Temple: This temple of Sai Baba was built in 1989. The idol of Sai Baba was built in Jaipur. The burning flame of the temple is believed to be the divine power of Sai Baba.
Lawrence School: The very popular Lawrence School at the top of the hill. Henry Lawrence built this school. He built the first cottage in Kasauli in 1848.
What’s more: Churches and Baptist churches here continue to carry the colonial architectural design. Apart from this, the Central Research Institute built in 1906, Kuthar (46 km) famous for wall paintings etc. are also worth visiting.
Getting there: Taxis and buses ply from Delhi, Kalka (37 km) and Shimla to Kasauli. Nearest airports are Chandigarh (65 km) and Shimla (73 km).
📍The gateway to the land of Apples
Gateway to the ‘Land of Apples’ Himachal. Narkanda is 2,708 meters above the Indo-Tibet Road. The view of the snow-capped mountains from here is something to remember forever. A favorite place for those who seek solitude at the top of the hill. Along with the snow-capped mountains, the tree-filled apple orchards are truly eye-catching from here. Narkanda is famous for winter sports skiing. Skiing courses are also arranged here under the initiative of Himachal Pradesh Tourism.
Hattu Peak: 8 km from Narkanda is Hattu Peak surrounded by various hill trees and pines. Hattu Mata temple on the top of the hill. To enjoy the beauty of Himalayan range covered with snow in the cold of Konkan, one must visit here.
Kacheri: Distance 7 km from Narkanda. Mahamaya temple to visit here.
Kotgarh: Famous for apple orchards. In 1914, the first fruit garden was established here in Himachal.
Jallori Pass: Distance 90 km from Narkanda. Kullu Valley in winter is the best destination to truly enjoy the scenery.
Getting there: Distance from Shimla is 65 km. Buses and taxis are available from Shimla. Nearest railway station (65 km) and airport Shimla (88 km).
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