Popular Places in ShimlaJakhoo Hill is the highest point in Shimla and offers a panoramic view of the city. Glen forest is one of the most fascinating picnic spots in Shimla. Summer Hill has pleasant shady walks in quite surroundings. Chadwick Falls are situated amidst thick forest and gives a breathtaking view. Prospect Hill is a popular picnic spot that gives some beautiful views of the region. Institute of Advance Studies is a renaissance structure used initially as Vice-regal lodge. Sankat Mochan is a temple dedicated to Lord Hanuman while Taradevi Temple is dedicated to Goddess Tara Devi, the Hindu variant of Tibetan Goddess Drolma. Himachal State Museum has some interesting collection of objects from all over Himachal Pradesh.
This pleasant sprawling town set among the pine-clad hills presents the visitor with glimpses of fading colonial charm. The buildings, the Mall, the picnic spots tell you the story of the era when it was the summer capital of the British India. A visit to the Mall brings you to the centre of activity in the city. Move around the city and you get to see some of the fascinating sights of the landscape around.
Weekend Trips/Excursions
The excursions around Shimla are equally interesting experience as they unveil to you the glory of the Raj era. You can take a trip to the oldest and highest golf course in India and to the world's highest cricket ground. For the religious minded, the ancient temples around the Shimla are worth a visit. Naldhera is a small but pleasant town, which houses the highest golf course in the country. Tattapani is known for its hot water springs. Wildflower Hall is the former residence of British Commander-in-Chief Kitchener, now run as a hotel. Mashobra is a small village surrounded by thick forests and offers pleasant walks. Craignano is a beautiful picnic spot with a rest house on the hilltop. Kufri is a great place to enjoy its sylvan atmosphere and go for some adventure sports like hiking and trekking. Chail is a lush green town formerly capital of the Maharaja of Patiala.
Temples in Shimla
Shimla derives its name from Shyamala, which is another name for Goddess Kali. Shimla came into light when the Birtishers discovered it in 1819. Till then it was a part of the Nepalese kingdom. Soon after the British came to this place many Europeans started making houses here. In 1864 Shimla was declared as the summer capital of India. After Independence Shimla was the capital of Punjab and was later named the capital of Himachal Pradesh. In 1903 a rail line was constructed between Kalka and Shimla. Shimla has been blessed with all the natural bounties which one can think of.It has got a scenic location, it is surrounded by green hills with snow capped peaks. The spectacular cool hills accompanied by the structures made during the colonial era creates an aura which is very different from other hill stations. Shimla has all the facilities required for tourists but they can be very expensive particularly during the peak season. Often it becomes difficult to find accommodation here during the peak season. And remember water is a perennial problem in Shimla. Shimla in itself is a very small town and is very well maintain and neatly kept city. In central part of the town is Mall which almost divides the city in two parts. In the center of the city is the famous scandal point which was immortalised by Rudyard Kipling. From Christ Church to the Scandal point is the Ridge area.
Bhimakali Temple
The Bheemakali Temple , reputed to be at least 800 years old, is dedicated to Goddess Durga or Bheemakali and is considered one of the significant Shakti Peeths of Shaivite Hindus. The temple is Tibetan in its architectural style, with Buddhist and Hindu influences and bronze statues of both religions in the shrines. It has slanted slate roofs, golden towers, pagodas and a carved silver door. Dussehra is celebrated in a grand way at both the Bheemakali Temple and in the village of Sarahan, with animal sacrifice playing a big role in the festivities. Bheemakali Temple regarded as one of the fifty one sacred Shaktipeeths.
A marvelous example of hill architecture, the temple complex at Sarahanis set against the incredibly beautiful backdrop of high ranges and forested slopes. Built in a mixture of the Hindu and Buddhists styles, it was the temple of Bushair rulers of Rampur (Shimla). The palaces of the royal family are adjacent to the temple. From Sarahan there is a view of the Srikhand Peak , revered as the home of goddess Lakshami. The ancient temple of Usha at Nichar , a nearby place , bears testimony to this. It was here that Lord Krishna fought a winning battle against Banasura even though the latter had the help of Lord Shiva. From Sarahan , one can have a close view of Shrikhand peak , known as the parental abode of Lakshmi Alongside the temple, the royal palaces are also capable of evoking tourist interest. There are some hotels , sarais and rest houses where tourists can stay.
Hatkoti Temple
104 kms from Shimla, is the beautiful valley where the river Pabbar flows and nearby is a temple dedicated to Durga and Shiva. This is where the gods are said to have fought ap pitched battle. Situated at an altitude of 1,100 metres, Hatkoti is en route to Rohru and is surrounded by lovely picnic spots. Packed with ancient legends and local lore, the temples of Hatkoti are spread over an area of 5 sq km. Set by the banks of the Pabbar, the core belongs to the classical shikhara style Mahishasurmardini (locally called Hateshwari), temple. This temple is dated to the 7th-8th century and in 1885 was given a pagodal roof.
The central image is exquisitely moulded in brass. The adjoining Shiva temple is of the latika type and has some remarkable wood carvings. During their exile-an episode from the epic Mahabharata-m the Pandavas are regarded to have lived here for a while. The temple is said to have been blessed by the saint Sankara.
Jakhu Temple
This temple of lord Hanumanji is situated at the height of about 8500 ft. in the east of historical ridge ground in Shimla city. This temple is very easily approachable and is one of the most sought after site to be visited not only by the devotees and pilgrims but also by the tourists of all age groups visiting Shimla, the Hill capital of Himachal Pradesh.According to mythology, during the battle between lord Rama and Ravana at Lanka, Lakshmana the younger brother of lord Rama was injured from an arrow from Meghnad and turned senseless. In order to save his life, when lord Hanuman was moving towards Himalaya to get sanjeewani herb, all of a sudden he saw Yaaku sage on Jakhu mountain in penance. This place was named Jakhu, after the same sage. In order to gather more details about sanjeewani, lord Hanuman landed here. As a result of which Jakhu mountain which earlier was much higher, half sunk into earth. After getting all the clarifications about the herb, lord Hanuman started his journey towards mount Dron. However, his friends accompanying him felt asleep here due to long distant tiring journey. When they woke up, all of them were sad on not finding lord Hanuman with them. All of them decided to stay here. Their successors can be seen roaming in this area even today. Lord Hanuman had even promised the sage Yaaku to meet him during his back journey. However due to shortage of time as a result of wickedness of Kaalnemi, he had to return back to Lanka via shorter route. sThe waiting sage got very sad. At the same time lord Hanuman appeared before the sage and told him the reason for not keeping his promise. When lord Hanuman disappeared, an idol of lord Hanuman appeared by itself and is present in the temple till date. This temple of lord Hanuman was constructed by the Yaaku sage in remembrance of lord Hanuman.
Kali Bari Temple
This temple is dedicated to goddess Durga and Shyaml. The temple dates back to the early 19th century and was noticed by the British army officers while constructing a building. The original temple belonged to goddess shyamla-which was converted into Kali Bari by some Bengali devotees. The temple is thronged by thousands of devotees during the Navratras and Pooja holidays. The temple is close to The Mall.
Kwar Jakh Temple
This temple is situated in Kwar area of Dodra-Kwar sub-division of the district.This temple is a fine example of Pagoda school of architecture.The carvings at the main door of the temple astound the visitors.
Sankat Mochan
Dedicated to god Hanuman, this temple lies on the national highway-22, close to Shimla. After Jakhu, this is the second famous Hanuman temple in Shimla. The idols placed hare were consecrated by the Shankracharya.” Shri Sankat Mochan” temple is situated at a distance of about 5 K.m from Shimla and is located at Taradevi on the Kalka- Shimla National Highway. This temple is very easily approachable and is one of the most sought after site to be visited not only by the devotees and pilgrims but also by the tourists of all age groups visiting Shimla, the Hill capital of Himachal Pradesh.
The history of the temple dates back to the late 1950’s, when Baba Neeb Karori Ji Maharaj visited this tranquil and serene site surrounded by lush green forests, emerald meadows, the magestic lofty mountains in the background which offered a very soothing and meditative atmosphere stirring the soul to enjoy the bliss of nature, a gift from god to all of us. Baba Neeb Karori Ji Maharaj stayed here in a hut for about ten days and being deeply fascinated and charmed with the place expressed his keen desire for a Hanuman temple to be constructed at this very location.
Baba’s devotees the than Lt. Governor of Himachal Pradesh late Raja Bajrang Bahadur Bhadari and Sh. Bhagwan Sahai shouldered the responsibility to fulfill their Guru’s desire and began with the construction of the temple in the year 1962 and finally it was consecrated on the 21st of June,1966, What began as a small temple, by god’s grace and blessings has acquired great dimensions and today the entire temple complex is sprawled over 18.8 bighas of land owned by Shri Sankat Mochan Hanuman Mandir.
At present the temple complex facilitates the people to worship and pay their obeisance to different deities as the complex comprises of Lord Rama and Hanuman temple, Lord Shiva Temple, Navgrah Temple, Baba Neeb Karori Ji Maharaj Temple and a beautiful Ganesha Temple portraying the architecture of the south.
The Temple complex also includes a three storey building which is partly used as the “Langer Hall” where on every Sunday all the visitors are served with prashad / Langer Below the langer hall are the “Marriage Halls” which are rented out on nominal charges to the parties who intend to ceremonize marriages here and it is a regular feature of the temple throughout the year. The other half of this building houses the residential area given to the priests and the domestic staff working in the temple. For the convenience and facilities of the visitors, the temple offers a ‘Prasad’ shop and also has a Govt Ayurvedic Dispensary. The complex also has provision of thirty neat and clean well maintained toilets.
Christ Church
Shimla is dotted with a number of churches. The most attractive ones are the Christ Church and St. Michaels Cathedral. The Christ Church has a massive structure. The chancel window of the Christ Church is an allegoric representation of the te deum. There is painted window on the southern side representing emotions of prayer , help , praise , fortitude , love and patience in memory of Clare Elles , wife of Edmond Roche Elles. Next to it is a stained glass window to commemorate the memory of Col George F. Wilson , erected by his wife in 1911. Brass plaques and tablets also adorn the interior , serving as records of bravery of those who worshipped in the church. St. Michaels Cathedral , built in 1850 was the first Catholicc church of Shimla. It is the only one boasting of five marble altars ,all brought from Italy.The glass windows above the main altar and altar on the right hand side are great specimens of art. The central window above the main altar carries a unique depiction of crucifixion of the Christ. There are also statues of sacred hearts of Jesus , immaculate heart of Mary , St Theresa.
A marble statue of Christ on the outer wall attracts visitors by its sheer beauty Other Chapels built during the British regime can be found in the backyard of Viceregal Lodge , Bishop Cotton School. Interestingly , the St. Francis Church is not used as a prayer house but houses the Himachal University evening college , while the St. Thomas building houses a girls school and the St. Marks Church has been converted to a residential building.
Tara Devi Temple
Situated at the Tara Devi hill this temple is located at a distance of 10 Km from Shimla. This temple is dedicated to goddess Tara.The temple besides normal visiting days is thronged by devotees from all parts of the country in large number during the Navratras.“ Ma Bhagwati Tara Devi” temple is located on Tarav Parvat in the western side of shimla Town about 15 Km from Shimla situated by the side of Kalka- Shimla National Highway near Shoghi. The road meandering uphill through the sweet smelling pine forests and lush green meadows with the cool gentle breeze touching one softly infusing a freshness and vigor in the devotees, pilgrims and tourists visiting this holy shrine. The location of the temple on the Hill top makes it appear that the goddess Ma Tara Devi seems to keep everyone under the protective gaze, showering innumerable blessings on her worshippers. The picturesque view from the temple is indeed breath taking and captivating with the superb panorama of the lofty and majestic forested mountains around, which offers a calm peaceful and tranquil countryside, a site that has a soothing and rejuvenating effect, being away from the din, pollution and the taxing effect of a fast urban life style.The history of this temple dates back to about 250 years when this temple was built here. There is a belief that the goddess Tara was brought to Himachal Pradesh all the way from the eastern state of Bengal . Hundreds of years ago a king from the Sen Dynasty visited this area. This king had brought his family deity in the form of a small gold Idol encased in a locket which he always wore around his upper arm. For many years the idol remained encased but in the 96th generation of sen dynasty, Raja Bhupendra Sen one day had an unusual experience while hunting in the dense forest of Juggar , near by the present temple, where he had a vision of his holy family deity goddess :”Ma Tara” along with her Dwarpal Bhairav and Hanuman Ji, who expressed her keen desire to be unveiled before the people. The Raja immediately donated 50 bighas of land on the name of Ma Tara and got constructed a temple there, in which a wooden idol of the Goddess was installed in accordance with Vaishnav traditions . Later on Raja Balbir Sen of the same dynasty had a dream in which the Goddess expressed her desire to be installed on the hill top of Tarav Parvat. The Raja on the advise of one of his pandits named Bhawani Dutt got a beautiful Idol prepared out of ‘Ashtadhatu’ from one Gusanwu artisan at his capital Junga and carried it over an Elephant named ‘Shankar’ and had it installed in the Vikrami era, 1825 on the Hill Top of Tarav Parvat, where it stands in all majesty and grandeur even today. The Sen dynasty of the erstwhile Keonthal State till date is carrying on with the age old tradition of worshipping their family deity Ma Tara on Ashtami during Shardiya Navratras each year when a fair is also held in the same day in the temple complex. The wrestling is an age old tradition of this fair every year.
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