Located in the mid hills of the Western Himalaya, the town of Shimla came up in the wake of the ‘Gurkha wars’ that came to an end in 1815-16. From a small village, it grew to become the ‘summer capital’ of British India and from its heights almost one-fifth of the entire human race of the world was ruled for well over a century. Steeped in history, Shimla exhibits excellent examples of Colonial architecture. Set under the gaze of the snow-clad mountains Shimla is now the State Capital of Himachal Pradesh.
Seven Hills :- Shimla is encircled by Seven Hills Which are – (1) Prospect Hill in western Shimla, which has the Kamna Devi temple, (2) Summer Hill in western Shimla, where the campus of Himachal Pradesh University is located, (3) Observatory Hill in western Shimla, has the former Viceregal Lodge presently the premises of the Indian Institute of Advanced Study, (4) Inverarm Hill in western Shimla where the State Museum is housed, (5) Bantony Hill in central Shimla, which has the Grand Hotel and ancient Kalibari Temple, (6) Jakhoo Hill in central Shimla is crowned by the temple dedicated to Lord hanuman and (7) Elysium Hill in north-western Shimla on which are located the Auckland House, Longwood and which further reaches out towards the Bharari supur.
General Information :-
Height :- Most of the town lies between 1950m and 2300m.
Languages spoken :- Hindi.Also English, Pahari and Punjabi.
Religion :- Mostly Hindu.Also Sikh, Muslim and Christian.
Medical Facilities :- Government Medical college, Hospitals, dispensaries and private hospitals, nursing homes and clinics..
Postal Services, telecommunications and internet :- Worldwide links.
Population :- 1,42,555 (according to census of 2001)
Climate :- Mild to warm in summer (Maximum temperature, 300 c), cold in winter (Minimum temperature – 30 c). Cottons and light woolens are suggested for the summer and heavy winter clothing for winter.
Access :-
Shimla is connected by air, road and rail.
The distance by road from Delhi is 375 km from Chandigarh it is 125 km with driving time of approximately nine and four hours respectively. Regular bus and taxi services are available. HPTDC buses (Volvo & Deluxe) are available from Victory Tunnel Shimla.
Kalka in Haryana is 90 km from Shimla and is the closest broad-gauge railhead. The drive takes between two to three hours. Taxis and buses are available. Kalka is also connected with Shimla by the World Heritage Narrow Gauge Railway line which is more than 150 years old and offers a spectacular view of the natural scenery.
Regular air flights operate between Delhi and Shimla (Jubber Hatti, 23 km from Shimla)
HPTDC’S Sightseeing Tours around Shimla (by cab) :
Tour No. 1 : Shimla-Kufri-Chini Bungalow-Nature Park-Fagu-Naldehra-Mashobra-Shimla. The drive offers magnificent views, forests and includes a visit to the historic golf course at Naldehra.
Tour No. 2 : Shimla-Fagu-Matiana-Narkanda-Shimla. Along the Hindustan Tibet Road with magnificient view of natural scenery and glimpses of apple orchards, this tour touches well-wooded Narkanda at 2700 m.
Tour No. 3 : Shimla-Kufri-Chini Bungalow-Nature Park-Chail-Kairighat-Shimla. Initially along the Hindustan Tibet Road, this tour then moves up to Kufri with its magnificent views of the snow-covered ranges and then to Chail, the ‘summer capital’ of the former princely state of Patiala.
Tour No. 4 : Shimla-Naldehra-Tattapani-Shimla. This tour includes the golf course at Naldehra and Naldehra and moves down to the banks of the river Satluj and the famous hot-springs of Tattapani.