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The former Summer Capital of the British in India and the
present capital of Himachal Pradesh. Founded in 1819, Shimla
is a very popular retreat today. There is a sense of nostalgia
about Shimla in its old bungalows with their gabled roofs and
beautiful gardens. But Shimla is by no means a dull town. It
is young, bursting with enthusiasm and complete with modern
resorts, and lively bazars.
(Distance from Chandigarh Airport 117 Kms, Approx. time 4
Hrs.)
(Distance from Jubbarhatti Airport 17 Kms, Approx. time 20
Mins.) |
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| Places of
Interest |
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Narkanda |
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A hill road with superb views links narkanda with Shimla.
Narkanda, located amidst fragrant pine forests is a ski resort
in winter. It has a choice of slopes ranging from a beginners
run and a slalom slope, to sharper descents for the
experienced skier. |
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Tattapani |
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Tattapani is just 28 km from Nalendra,
along a road winding through the scenic countryside. the hot
sulphur springs here, are noted for their invigorating and
curative powers. |
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Christ Church & St. Micheal
Cathedral |
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Built in 1846-1857,
Christ Church is the second oldest church of Northern India.
The Church overlooks the ridge and is one of the landmarks of Shimla. The clocks on Christ Church were added later but none
of them are functional now. The Church's exquisite beauty
comes with the stained glasses that are fitted on its windows.
The town's other important churches are St. Michael's
Cathedral and Roman Catholic Cathedral, which is just off the
Mall |
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Himalayan Aviary |
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Close to the Viceregal lodge is the
Himalayan Aviary or the Himalayan Bird Park. This park is a
natural habitat of numerous species of birds found in Himachal
such as Himalayan Monal, Pheasants, Peafowls and National Bird
of India, the Peacock. |
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The Ridge |
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The large open space in the heart of town
presents excellent view of the mountain ranges. Shimla's
landmarks - the Neo-Gothic structure of Christ Church and the
new - Tudor Library building is worth seeing. |
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Mashobara |
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Noted for its apple orchards and thick woods
of oak and pine, mashobara is a sylvan retreat with pretty
walks and panic spots. A little track leads down to Sipur a
grassy glade with a stream wandering through it. |
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Himachal State Museum & Library |
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The museum is located
2.5-km west of the scandal point and opens daily except on
Mondays and public holidays. It has got a good collection of
ancient historical sculptures, paintings, coins, photos and
other items from all over the state as well as outside it. It
has also got a library, which houses many historical books and
manuscripts.
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Jakhu Temple |
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Dedicated to Lord Hanuman, this temple is
at an altitude of 2,455m near the highest point of Shimla
ridge. It offers a fine view over the surrounding valleys, out
to the snowcapped peaks, and over the town itself. The temple
is a 45-minute walk from the Mall. Jakhu is a vantage point
for witnessing the changing skyline as the sun rises or sets. |
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Fagu (22-Km) 2,450m |
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Just 6 Kms from kufri, Fagu is a
vantage point with panaromic views of the ranges and valleys. |
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Prospect Hill |
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Crowned by a temple dedicated to Kamna
Devi 15-minutes walk from Boileauganj on Shimla-Bilaspur road.
The hill at an altitude of 2,155m offers a spectacular view of
the area. |
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Kufri |
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Kufri is a noted summer and winter resort with its glorious
views of forested slopes and tall ranges iced in a covering of
perpetual snow. A fine ski resort, Kufri has a winter season
that extends from January to March. |
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The Mall |
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Shimla's principal promenade and best for a
leisurely walk. Walks to Jakhoo Hill, Summer Hill, Chardwick
Falls and Prospect Hill Tibetan Monestery are havens of
tranquility. |
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Viceregal Lodge & Botanical Gardens |
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On the Observatory
Hills is located Viceregal Lodge, which is also known as "Rashtrapati
Niwas". This magnificent building was the residence of the
British Viceroy Lord Dufferin. This lodge was completed in
1888 and it is said that every brick for the building was
carried by mules. This is a six-storey building and is
surrounded by well-maintained gardens and lawns. The lodge has
now been converted into Institute of Advanced Study and is
further 2-km from State Museum. |
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Summer Hill |
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At an altitude of 1982m, Summer Hill is a
picturesque spot on Shimla-Kalka Railway line offering shady
walks in quiet surroundings. The Father of Nation, Mahatma
Gandhi during his visit to Shimla lived in the elegant
Georgian House of Raj Kumari Amrit Kaur located here. HP
University is also situated over here. Just 6 Kms from kufri,
Fagu is a vantage point with panaromic views of the ranges and
valleys. |