HILL STATION SHIMLA

"JAKHOO TEMPLE"



World's tallest statue of Lord Hanuman was unveiled to public by Abhishek Bachchan on November 5th 2010. The walk to the temple is lined by monkeys most of the time. It's not advised to bring your valuables, wallets, even cellphones with you. Sometimes the notorious Monkeys stop you and search your pockets for anything to eat or mess around.
A long steep climb from the right hand side of Gandhi's statue. Hire a stick on the way up, Rs 10, ostensibly to beat off the monkeys, but really to help you walk up and take some water with you. Tales of the monkeys snatching glasses are true - we witnessed one poor chap lose his - but generally they are fairly timid creatures if you don't wave food in front of them. Views are fantastic.
Jakhoo temple has a hugeee murti of Lord Hanuman which you can see from down in Shimla. You can go there either by taxi which charges like crazy 300-400 for to and fro journey or you can go on horseback. They too charge equally crazy amount or you can go by HRTC taxi which charges just Rs.10 one way which is best because its fun coming down by foot. Its beautiful mountain!! But beware of monkeys as they'll snatch your stuff in seconds. Temple is beautiful and very peaceful!! Must see place for everyone!!


"TARA DEVI TEMPLE"


It was an adventure to get to this 260 year old Temple (during Feb 4th visit, 11 km from mall road) and took off shoes and walk the stairs on utter cold marble towards darshan of TaraDevi Mataji. I can say it would have been easier to walk on Ice then the super-cold marble floor followed by heavy rain showers and wild wind at peak of hill, where temple is situated. All in all, those blessed can only visit the place. The view from around the temple was amazing and every hill in every direction appeared lower from the viewing point.
A must visit place in Shimla tour
The temple is just uphill from shimla kalka highway on shogi. The temple is on top of the hill and you get very good views of shimla city and himalayas. It is a very good place to rejuvenate and get the blessings of Tara maa.



"Viceregal Lodge"



Lots of history i remember happened there, beautiful setting, & inside an insight to the Moutbatten years, furniture & photos a must to see.In the distance the wonderful Himalayas.

A real piece of Britain preserved high in the Himalayas. See the room (and desk) where Lord Mountbatten planned the end of British Rule. All credit for the Indian Government's balanced presentation of the situation with photos of the (often arrogant-looking) British elite alongside the 'local heroes' who moved things forward. See the ballroom, now a library for the Higher...

 The views from the garden were wonderful and we enjoyed our visit. We would have liked to be able to see more of the Lodge, however, appreciate that it is used for students. The day we visited it was quiet up there and one could imagine how wonderful it would have been to get away to Shimla for the summer.

 

 

 

"THE MALL"

 

 

 

I liked everything about the mall road, the ambience, the nature, the view. and also theer are lot of other places which i visites like the advance studies, naldehra, hot water spring, the green valley for which you need a special pass from the forest deptt in which the hotel helped me out.

 

People from bigger cities have only seen a mall which is constructed on a piece of land with a typical problem of parking on week ends....

This "THE MALL" in Shimla in one such unique place where no vehicles are allowed on the road, clear, serene atmosphere to hang around.

Shopping here is no different than other places, but there are lot of shops which sells counterfeit brands (you can get a RADO watch for Ladies at Rs.200/- or 4 Dollars) which was quite surprising.

The best way to enjoy THE MALL is to walk the entire stretch, click some good photographs, have some nice hot and steamy MOMOs (Dimsum).

Ideal place to stroll and rest for a while (there are benches provided at designated places to rest)

The other interesting thing was Government has installed a LIFT / ELEVATOR at the bottom of the hill which takes you to the MALL road and charges are minimum (Rs.7/- per head)

Quite a different experience compared to the malls we have been seeing the cities.

 

Small shops that sell a wide range of goods, including some familiar brands. Worth a stroll along, if only to take the Gaiety Theatre guided tour. A fully restored little bit on England in the Himalyas! Haven't yet discovered what gave Scandal Point it's name.

 

 

 

"Shimla Christ Church"

 

Its located on the Ridge at Mall Road, and was one of the first concrete staructure of Shimla. Very English in style. Its locatd on the Ridge at Mall Road, and was one of the first concrete staructure of Shimla. Very English in style.
Standing tall in the middle of the Ridge, the church is a testimony of the by-gone era and exudes an elegance that makes the entire ridge road beautiful. The green and yellow lights in the evening renders a sacred look while the white exterior in the morning makes it look pristine.

The inside of the church is not very well decorated but very peaceful. One can attend the mass at the church, irrespective of religion, caste or gender.

The church is the symbol of Shimla and a visit to the city remains incomplete without a visit to this beautiful edifice

The church is wonderful from the outside especially at night with all the lighting. however, from the inside it's very plain. if you are going to the mall you can pass by the church, but I won't go there specifically If I were you.


"Kali Bari Temple"


This temple is located at extreme end of the mall road. It is very neat and clean temple and you can enjoy good view of shimla town from here. the temple is dedicated to maa kali and you must visit there and get blessings of durga maa.
It's really a nice place. I went there with my friends and really liked the place. It's a very nice temple of Kali Mata. Location is very nice.
This is located on the far end of the Mall road.
Walk past the post office, left as you face it, and the road leads to the temple.
On the way are two very old houses. Check out the iron railing from the Btitish era.
Further is the Grand hotel and finally the temple.
Its a spectacular viwe of the town, the Railway building and Gorton castle.



"Indian Institute of Advanced Study"




Fantastic place. If you're staying near the mall and upto it, a beautiful and easy 30 minute walk via boleiuganj. Else, shared taxis or general taxis/cars to reach there. Entry costs about 20 pp (Indians) plus 30 for cameras. There is a guided tour which takes you into the building - lobby, and 3 rooms are shown. Its a short 10 minute tour, and the guide tells you little more than whats on the plaque outside. Enough time for some photos. In the conference room on the corner wall, there is a photo of the then national defence council which shows almost all the important maharajas of the time (gwalior, jodhpur, patiala, nizam, etc). The grounds are lovely and extensive. Lots of fire extinguishers all around to prevent the building from burning down. Lovely cafe. Would actually recommend a picnic here in the grounds (couldnt spot any monkeys, so eating food outdoors should be ok).
One has to see the former summer abode of the Viceroy of India, to experience one of the finest specimens of British colonial architecture. It reflects the beautiful renaissance style blended with both Elizabethan and Jacobean elements of architecture. Though only a few sections are open for public viewing, its well worth a trip. Guided tours of the open rooms are given at marked intervals. The burmese wood panelling, fabric wallpapers and period furniture have stood intact since the structure's construction. One may even view the table on which the agreement for India's partition was signed.


"Shimla Glen"




We went to shimla in jan and visited annadale by taxi . annadale is nice and secluded place far away from the madding crowd. It has a huge halipad and and an army museum . The museum has armaments dated from british period. The views from this place are amazing and the whole visit transfer you and gives you peak into bygone era.

We didn't quite make it to the bottom of the glen when we walked from the Oberoi because of time constraints. We are relatively fit and in our 50s but found that walking up from the glen was much harder than we anticipated due to the altitude. I'm pleased to say that several young Indian couples were also showing signs of weariness so it wasn't due to our age!

The start of the walk is along the road but very pleasant and peaceful and you do need decent shoes, especially for the climb back up on the forest path. We, of course got lost on the way back as the tracks are not well sign posted but inevitably you can find someone to steer you back to Shimla. There is definitely one bemused lady who allowed us to walk through her back yard after watching us scratching our heads at the landslide which barred our way on the old carriage track we had decided upon. It may take longer than you think so take a good map or buy the book Shimla on Foot - Ten walks by Raaja Bhasin.
If you like the countryside and walking, this is definitely worth doing
its good place to enjoy nature.........green track.....very lonely place...go prepared with food drinks water etc. camera....4-5 people group will enjoy the nature


"KUFRI"


"NALDEHRA"



Naldehra Golf course is the world's highest golf course.
Common public are restricted from entering this place, you need to be a golf club member to gain access.
Apart from Golf course, this place presents beautiful view of Himachal and carefully observation around you can see Himalayan mountains from here.
This place also like KUFRI provides some adventure sports.
The Road to this place is the most beautiful and a ride on horse or pony makes it more memorable.
Once can get a good view of lot of pine trees and it gives you a feeling of passing through dense jungle.
Song from a famous hindi move "Maachis" was shot here (the song was Chappa-Chappa Charka Chale)
This place was once and still thronged by many movie makers as this replicates Jammu & Kashmir during winter especially when there is dense fog and Snow.
Again here you cannot walk better hire horse / pony which will cost you around Rs.250/- for three people and note it that the rates are fixed by tourism department and you cannot be taken for a ride, you can insist on rate cards also.