How to get there ?

The airport is at Jubbarhatti, 23 km away. is connected to Kalka by an enhancing narrow gauge railway line -where even a rail-car plys. By road, Chandigarh is 117 km, Manali 219 km, Chail 45 km & Delhi 370 km. From Delhi, it takes about eight hours. Luxury coaches and taxis ply to Shimla from Delhi, Manali and Chandigarh.

Shimla, "Queen of Hill Stations" in north-West Himalayas, the summer capital of before independence is now the capital of . Covering the area of 18 sq. km. at a height of 7,238 ft. Shimla is surrounded by pine, deodar, oak and rhododendron forests. SHIMLA :

MOST POPULAR & BIGGEST HILL-STATIONS.

Shimla is well connected by air, road and rail with all parts of Himachal and the neighboring states of Punjab, Haryana, Jammu & Kashmir, Uttarakhand & Union territory of Chandigarh. Its well developed facilities, accessibility and numerous attractions make it one of Indian's most popular and biggest hill-stations.

A narrow-railway links Kalka with Shimla. This rail- link was built in 1924 and its "toy trains" still ply passing through 103 tunnels and beautiful rail-road stations. Half-way through the journey, after Solan, the lights of Shimla look like glimmering jewels studding dark green of mountains. The train takes six hours, and at every stop on the journey are Sun Set smiling faces giving a warm welcome. WEATHER IN SHIMLA The climate of Shimla varies from 10-11 degrees in winter to a maximum of 25-30 degrees in summers. Shimla changes its moods with the seasons. In spring we see flowers of all kinds, while during the monsoon, one can see some of the best sunsets in the world.

Winter in Shimla is known as the season of "Long moon-night." It becomes a frost glistening silent city. The following morning sees town as a fantastic fairyland of white beauty. IMPORTANT PLACES

Mall Road

The Mall: The Mall is the main shopping centre of Shimla. It also has many restaurants, clubs, banks, bars, Post Offices and tourist offices. The Gaiety Theatre is also situated there. People walk up and down the Mall slowly, stopping to gossip, as it is the main meeting place for everyone. The Ridge and Scandal point are the two main meeting points at the Mall. IMPORTANT PLACES

Christ Church: Situated on the Ridge is Christ Church, which is the second oldest church in Northern India. It has a very majestic appearance and inside there are The Church stained glass windows which represent faith, hope, charity, fortitude, patience and humility. Christ Church is a place all visitors should spend some time in. IMPORTANT PLACES

Summer Hill: Situated at a distance of 5 kms. from the Ridge is the lovely township of Summer Hill at a height of 6,500 ft. on the Shimla-Kalka railway line. Mahatma Gandhi Summerhill lived in these quiet surroundings during his visits to Shimla. Himachal Pradesh University is situated here.

Indian Institute of Advanced Studies IMPORTANT PLACES

State Museum

Shimla State Museum: The Museum, which was opened in 1974, has tried to project hill-out and the cultural wealth of the state. There is a collection of miniature Pahari paintings, sculptures, bronzes wood-carvings and also costumes, textiles and jewellery of the region. IMPORTANT PLACES

IGMC Shimla IMPORTANT PLACES

Jakhu Hill: 2 kms. from Shimla, at a height of 8000 ft, Jakhu Hill is the highest peak and offers a beautiful view of town and of the snow-covered Himalayas. At the top of the Hill, is an old temple of , which is also the home of countless playful monkeys Jakhu Temple waiting to be fed by all visitors. IMPORTANT PLACES

Indian Institute of Advanced Studies

Indian Institute of Advanced Studies: This institute is housed in the Viceregal Lodge, which was built in 1884-88 during the British times. It has spacious gardens and is ringed by beautiful pine trees. All is calm and serene just the right atmosphere for a student of literature or politics. IMPORTANT PLACES

Hotel Peterhoff The Oberoi Cecil

Hotel Holiday Home

Wood Ville Palace Chail: Chail is a little mountainous heaven 45 kms. from Shimla. It was the summer capital of the Maharaja of Patiala before Independence. The forests near Chail have many species of birds and deer. Chail is known for its cricket pitch, which is the highest cricket ground in the world.

Tara Devi: 11kms. from the Shimla bus-stand. Tara Devi has a temple dedicated to the goddess of stars on top of the hill. There is a military Dairy Town here as well as the headquarters of Bharat Scouts and Guides. At a height of 6,070 ft. Tara Devi is an ideal place for a person wanting peace and some rest. KALI BARI TEMPLE Sun Set