Madhu Latha
Incredible India ; A diverse India ; Versatile India ; Enigmatic India ; Intoxicating India ; Spiritual India

India has been called many names by those who see it. India appears as such to each as those who see it that way. Come take a look at my India through my eyes...

Wednesday, March 27, 2013

SHIMLA - the Emerald Town.

The town of Shimla lies at an elevation of 2205m from sea level. Once just a sleepy forest glade known as Shyamala, named after the Godess Kali who is the destroyer of evil, has earned its 'premier summer resort of India' status when Charles Kennedy built a summer resort in 1822. From then on the British, and every one who is who in the Indian subcontinent rushed to Shimla for the summers. Kalki - Shimla was constructed in 1903 making this hill station more accessable. Today many prestigious schools are established where students from all over the country attend.

The city was also once the capital of Punjab. Though now the town has overgrowm and threatens to spill into the valley the city center still holds its old world charm with its English era buildings and churches. The official center of the city is still the Scandal Point. Down in Cart rd is where we find the Railway station, Intercity Bus Terminal (ISBT) and taxi stands.


Best time to visit:
A jagged line of snow-covered peaks is visible from April to June & in October & November coinciding with the main tourist season.  Honey mooners can come to frolic in the snow in December and January.

Sights:
Himachal Pradesh State Museum and Library
Viceregal Lodge & Botanical Garden
Christ Church

TEMPLES

Jakhu Temple
Shiva Mandir
Kali Bari Mandir
Ram Mandir
Sri Guru Singh Sabha Gurdwara

BRITISH ARCHITECTURE

Town Hall
Post Office
Offices of Accountant General
Rothney Castle

Excursions around Shimla:
1. For wonderful sceneries at Prospect Hill 4km west of Shimla
2. Pleasant summber Hill -5km west on Shimla-Kalka Railway Line
3. Pretty Chadwick falls(67m high) 2km furtherwest
4. Village of Sanjauti 3 km east of Lakkar Bazar there is a Durga Temple & small Buddhist Monastery.
5. Mashobra is about 12 km north of Shimla and has an old colonial church and a few pleasant walks among the tall and majestic looking deodar trees.
6. Naldehra is famous chiefly for the Naldehra Golf Course.
Hotel Golf Glade (0177/2747739)

Activities:
Trekking, Adventure tours, Motorcycle tours, Golfing

Walking tours :- From the Scandal Point 4 km. NorthWest is 'the Glen' which was the  playground for scottish generals as the landscape is similar to the scottish meadows, from here the road passes through the Annandale.

Tourist Information :
HPTDC TOURIST OFFICE - 0177/2652561 ; www.hptdc.gov.in; Scandal Point
1. By HPTDC: Daily sightseeing bus tours around Shimla.  Leaving time from Rivoli Bus stand: 10.30 am
2. By Taxi Unions: One-day sightseeing to Kufri, Naldehra, Fagu & Mashobra

TRAVEL AGENCIES:
Great Escape Route - 0177/5533037 ; www.greatescaperoutes.com; Jakha

HOTELS WITH CONTACT DETAILS

1. HOTEL BULMARG: 0177-2653168; gulmarghotel@yahoo.com
2. HOTEL CLASSIC: 0177-2653078
3. HOTEL DALZIEL: 0177-2652691; hoteldalziel@hotmail.com
4. YMCA         : 0177-2650021; ymcashimla@yahoo.co.in
5. HOTEL WHITE  : 0177-2656136; www.hotelwhiteshimla.com
6. HOTEL AMBER  : 0177-2654774
7. HOTEL DREAMLAND: 0177-2806897
8. HOTEL DOEGAR : 0177-2811927 ; www.hoteldoegar.com
9. LeRoyale     : 0177-2651002 ; le_royale@hotmail.com
10. OBEROI CECIL: 0177-2804848 ; www.oberoicecil.com
11. CHAPSLEE    : 0177-2802542 ; www.chapslee.com

Good News for book lovers:
Assa Book House
Maria Brothers - 0177-2565388
Minerva Bookshop - 0177-2803078
For any emergency during the travel:
Indira Gandhi Medical College - 0177-2803073
Tourist Police - 0177-2812344

Financial requirements for the trip:
1. PUBJAB NATIONAL BANK
2. STATE BANK OF INDIA
3. STATE BANK OF INDIA ATM (SCANDAL POINT)
Tourist Guide:
1. HPTDC TOURIST OFFICE: 0177-2652561 (www.hptdc.gov.in)
2. Great Escape routes 0177-5533037 (www.greates.caperoutes.com)
PLACES TO VISIT:
1. HIMACHAL STATE MUSEUM & LIBRARY
2. VICEREGAL LODGE & BOTANICAL GARDENS
3. HIMALAYAN BIRD PARK.

ENTERTAINMENT:
1. GAIETY THEATRE - 0177-2805639;the Mall
2. RITZ CINEPLEX  - 0177-2652413;christ church
3. FOOTLOOSE DISCO - 01772652413

SHOPPING CENTERS:
1. Himachal Emporium - 0177-2011234;the Mall
2. Tibetan Handloom Shop - 0177-2808163;the Mall

Mode of transportations to the place of Mountains:AIR ROUTE:
Jubbarhatti Airport, 23km south of Shimla
1. Kingfisher Airlines - 18002093030;www.flykingfisher.com
2. Jagson Airlines - 0177-2625177;www.jagsonairline.com

BUSES:
Contact HPTDC-0177-2656326

TAXI:
Kalka-Shimla Taxi Union:0177-2658225
Vishal Himachal Taxi operators Union: 0177-2805164
 

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