Shimla- Another Indian Paradise Articles | Family Holiday

By: Cecil Gupta

Shilma is the capital of the state of Himachal Pradesh. It used to be the summer capital of the British when they ruled over India. It is a beautiful hill town.  The cool climate and beautiful mountainous landscape lures tourists to the place.

Shimla city view

Climate:

Shimla has a cool climate throughout the year. The average summer temperature is around 20 degrees Celsius and the winter temperature can go up to -7 degrees. It rains in the monsoon from June to September. The best time to visit Shimla is from April to June or November, December. It snows here in the end of December. Skiing trips can be made at that time.

How to reach:

Shimla has a small airport which connects it to Delhi and Chandigarh. You can reach Shimla from Delhi by road also. Buses ply regularly and take 8 hours to reach here. You can take a train from Delhi to Kalka and then take the mountain train from Kalka to Shimla. The journey is a bit long but is picturesque.

What to see:

The two famous spots in Shimla are the Mall road and the Ridge. The Mall road has shops and cafes lined on both sides. The ridge offers a great view of the whole town at night. The church is a beautiful structure located near the ridge. Walk up to the Jakhoo temple and enjoy the view from the top.

  The church at the Ridge

From Shimla, you can travel to various destinations like Sarahan, Tattapani, Narkanda and Kufri.  You can book a taxi for a round trip and stay for a day or two at these locations. Sarahan offers a great view of snow clad mountains and has the grand Bhimakali temple. Tattapani meaning Tapta pani or hot water has sulphur hot water springs meeting a beautiful river. Narkanda has snow even in the summer. Hatu peak near Narkanda is a great place for skiing in the winters.

Tattapani river

Where to stay:

Stay at Hotel Willow Banks in the city or Hotel Toshali Royal view which is away from the city but has a great view. Hotel Cecil by the Oberoi group is a 5 star hotel here. You can stay there for a luxurious holiday.  In Sarahan, stay at Hotel Srikhand. The Bhimakali temple also offers accommodation. Stay at HPTDC’s Tourist Bungalow in Tattapani. There are also a couple of hotels near the river which offer river view. In Narkanda, stay at Hotel Hatu and enjoy the view of the Hatu peak.

What to eat:

 A specialty food of Shimla is Luchi Poti which is made from lamb intestines. Try it here if you are a non vegetarian. Momos are available everywhere in Shimla. Eat them hot to warm you up in the cool weather. Have a meal at the Ashiana hotel or Alfa restaurant on the Mall Road. For a yummy filter coffee, hop in to the Indian Coffee House which serves coffee and breakfast items. For deserts without sugar, step in to the Honey Hut which serves all items with honey as an ingredient. Try the ice creams and the pastries.

What to shop for:

Shimla offers a wide range of wooden artifacts. You will find them at Lakkad Bazaar, a market dedicated to wooden items. Pashmina and Kullu shawls and woolens are also great buys. The traditional Himachal Cap is another item to go for.