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
 

Himachal Pradesh - The land of Celestial Beauty

Himachal Pradesh is famous for it's diversity and mind-blowing scenery.  It's a trecking lovers paradise with Dhauladhar, Pir Panjal and Western Himalayan ranges stretching far and wide quenching their thirst of trecking.  In central Himachal, manali and Kulu and Parvati valleys are a feast for the hippies, honey mooners & thrill seekers.  It also has many forts, temples & palaces.  Though time consuming, travel around HP is wonderful experience which every individual will desire to cherish.   

Useful Facts :

Capital : Shimla
Population : 55,673 sq km
Languages: Hindi, Pahari and Punjabi
When to go : May to June, September to early November

How to fulfull our dreams?
1. The Himachal's adventure-sport capital, Manali can be reached by skiing, treking, climbing, paragliding, rafting or zorbing.
2. Stay in Parvati Valley and trek to the mountain village of Malana.
3. Centuries old temples of Chamba and Bharmour add spirituality to the serene beauty of mountains
4. Marvelous mountains passes of Rohtang La & Kunzum La should be crossed to Tabo monastery & unimaginably remote spiti valley.
5. A summer retreat in the green glades of Shimla


Appropriate time to go:
The main seasons being May to July & September to early November.  Advanced reservation recommended. During monsoon the hills can be too chill & damp.  Snow closes from NOvember to April.  This is the peak skiing season at the modest resorts near Manali & Shimla.

Must for travel: PERMIT
Permit is a must for the travel in the sensitive border between India and Tibet.  Inner line permit to travel between Rekong Deo in Kinnaur & Tabo in Piti.  Permit can be obtained easily with two passport photographs & photocopies of identity in Shimla, Kaza & Rekong Deo.

How to reach here?
Main routs into Himachal are by bus but small airtrips near Shimla, Kullur & Dharamsala receive flights from Delhi with Kingfisher airlines(www.flykingfisher.com) & Jagson Airlines (www.jagsonairline.com)

THE OFFICIAL DISTRICT WEBSITE IS http://hpshimla.nic.in


FESTIVALS IN HIMACHAL PRADESH

1. Losar: (Jan/Feb); Lahual & spiti)
2. Shivaratri Festival ; (Feb/Mar);Temples of Mandi & Baijnath celebrate this festival as a tribute to Lord Shiva.
3. Suimata Mela : Apr;Four days of celebration to honour Sui Meta who sacrificed her life to save the people of Chamba.
4. Dhungri Mela : May;Manali
5. Himalayan Hang - Gliding Rally : May; Billing
7. Lahaul Festival : Jul; keylong - cultural and trade festival in Lahaul.
8. Minjar Festival : Jul/Aug;Harvest festival in Chamba.
9. Ladarcha Fair : Aug; Kaza ancient trade fair
10. Pauri Festival : Aug; triloknathtemple is lit with giant butter lamps in Honour of Lord Shiva.
11. Manimahesh Yatra : Aug/Sep;Near Bharmour.
12. Phulech Festival : Sep/Oct;villagers of Kinnaur fill temple courtyard with fragrant flowers and carry out sacrificies.
13. Dussehra or Durga Puja : Oct; Kullu
14. Lavi Fair : Nov;Rampur trade fair
15. Guktor Festival : Nov;Dhankar
16. Renuka Mela : Nov; six days festival culminatin the ritual immersion of idols of Parasurama(Vishnu).
17. Internal Himalayan Festival : 10-12 Dec; celebrate Dalai Lama's  Nobel Peace Prize  
18. McLeod Ganj: Dec/Jan; Tibetan New Year Celebrations