Shimla – most beautiful of hill resorts

Shimla, the capital of Indian Himalayan state Himachal Pradesh is one of the most busy hill resorts where tourists come in every season. Shimla was summer capital of British for its natural beauty, healthy atmosphere and snow clad hills suitable for winter sports. Shimla situated at almost 7,300 ft from sea level in a semicircle, where weather remains cool and lovely round the year and visitors can watch wonderful views of hills and valleys from any point in Shimla. 

The facilities of transportation, roads, rail and airports nearby make it easy to reach to Shimla any time and probably that is one of the reason that tourists from allover the world reach here for different activities in every season. Shimla is first choice of tourists who go there frequently but still want to visit there as and when possible. Initially Shimla was located on a ridge in the middle of seven hills but when British came to stay here they developed and extended it to all seven hills and even slopes on both sides began to populate now the place is thickly populated, if not overcrowded. However, Shimla may have changed to certain extent but it still looks the same and local government has done wonderfully well to keep it free from illegal shops and unauthorized construction to keep its glamour intact. The buildings constructed  photo from wikipedia) during British period still look the same as these looked in last century. The city has certain points most frequented by visitors- 

Mall Road

Shimla has changed like other cities especially tourism related cities but Shimla has not changed as much and if we talk about Mall Road, it has not changed a bit. It still has the same look as it had 100 years before or 30 years before when I visited the place for the first time. Mall road is heart of Shimla and this can be proved by the saying that if a tourist is not in his hotel and also not gone for sight seeing, you can find him on Mall Road. Mall Road is divided in to two different parts 1- Scandal Point and 2- Ridge or The ridge. Christ Church is the landmark of the place. Visitors find Shimla especially Mall Road when the snow falls continually in altogether different mood when they come out on the road and enjoy like small children throwing snowballs on each other and running around on snow. Have a look at some tourist interest places around-  

It used to be residence of Viceroy - Vice regal lodge constructed in 1988 was the official residence of viceroy in summers reflects the true traditions of British periods wit beautiful gardens in front impress visitors a lot. The royal building has now converted into Indian institute of advance studies but it has not lost its past glory a bit.

Gaytee Theater – It was one of the oldest theater houses in Shimla, where British used to organize dramas etc now the building hosts theater festivals every year. The building itself has its architectural values.

Jakhoo Hills – Located around 2 km from ridge taking visitor to a height of almost 8,000 ft the hill has a temple where monkeys walk along with tourists like friends provided you offer them goodies. The scenery from top of the hill offers some unforgettable views. The Jakhoo is highest point of Shimla city where tourists walk on foot.

Government museum – Another old building of British period converted into museum where different local art related and paintings of Kangra, Pahari styles along with 2,000 or more other important items made of wood, copper, glass and old ornaments kept for the benefit of tourists who visit the place.                                                      

Prospect Hill - This place is situated about 5 km off Mall Road where most tourist having interest of trekking or walking in the hills go to have fun in groups to spend some time enjoying picnic on top of hill.

Places worth visiting around Shimla

Mashobra- It is a town about 12 km away from Shimla where tourists go for picnic purpose. Situated at the height of 6,500 ft the place is wonderfully peaceful surrounded by cedars and pines. There are a few guesthouses those provide basic facilities for tourists who wish to stay there overnight.

Kufri- Kufri experiences first snow in Shimla, which is about 16 km away from Shimla. Kufri is full of tourists in every season especially winters as tourists interested in skiing come here to enjoy the slopes, which are perfect for this winter sport. Kufri has a bird park and musk deer breeding center. Kufri is also the base camp for trekking expedition to Mahasu and cater for horse and yak riding. The place is experiencing a heavy snowfall at the time of writing this article a record-breaking 40cm in last 8 years. 

Fagu- Six km further up from Kufri is another wonderful picnic spot located at almost 8,000ft from sea level, tourist find it most suitable for sightseeing and walking in the lap of Mother Nature.

Nal Dehra- Basically is the oldest golf course with nine holes in India. This place is famous for stay in huts, which is an altogether different experience for city dwellers.  

Chail- Chail is another full-fledged hill resort about 45km away from Shimla developed by the then king of Patiyala when he was banned to enter into Shimla for his love affair with daughter of a senior British army officer. Later the Chail palace, which is the main tourist attraction now handed over to government of Himachal Pradesh. The place is wonderfully situated to offer lovely view of distant valleys and hills surround with pines and Deodars. 

Barog – the tunnel number 33

As I saw and captured Barog Railway Station in July 2010. This is one of the best trains on this rout called Shivalik Express- equivalent to Shatabdi.

Most people come to Shimla by train to enjoy the journey that takes almost 6-8 hours to cover less than 100km. This journey can easily be covered within 3 hours by road but the joy of riding the toy train would not be there. The main interest to reach Shimla by toy train is to enjoy the journey by train gives a unique experience of passing through 100+ tunnels on the way 107 to be precise but now only 102 in use. The tunnel number 33 that is 1143.6 km long,  which takes passengers direct to Barog railway station as soon as the tunnel is crossed. The Rail line from Kalka to Shimla, which was declared as world heritage in 2008, is associated with many stories including the one with Mr. Barog, in-charge of railway line who made a mistake while constructing this particular tunnel. He started making this tunnel from both ends at the same time and made an alignment mistake therefore both ends never met. He was fined Re one for this mistake and felt so sorry that he later committed suicide. 

Barog is a beautiful and peaceful place where people go to enjoy cool breeze, no rush of holidaying crowd but only people who wish to get away from city life and spend some time in Mother Nature’s care. Tourists have two options here either go to Solan, which is a hill town with all modern facilities for tourists. I would prefer tourists visiting Shimla to stay at Barog for a day or two. The railway department has retirement room facilities at railway station with very good accommodation arrangements at a very reasonable charge of Rs 330/ per day and in case any one willing to avail facilities of cottages provided by railways, they have Shivalik cottages at Rs 750/ a little up on a hill from railway station with canteen facilities. I would suggest tourists to take full advantage of these facilities provided by railways. 

The atmosphere of Barog is as good as we hear about some of the best tourist destinations in the world and the maintenance is world class. There can’t be a better place than Barog if you are looking to give a rest to your body and soul. Barog is ideal place to sit and watch flowers, trees and toy trains carrying passengers full of enthusiasm going toward Shimla, expecting fun or the returning trains carrying passenger fresh from their wonderful experiences and activities they had had in their trip.                    

Photos from wikipedia, except one at Barog Railway station