Shimla has the only natural ice-skating rink in India. An Ice-skating Carnival is arranged every year by the Ice-skating Club during January. During this festival, members display their skill on ice and participate in a fancy dress competition.

The summer festival in Shimla offers the best entertainment of the year. Artists are invited from all parts of Himachal Pradesh and from other parts of the country to entertain visitors with song, dance and music both Indian and Western.

Besides the summer festival, regular cultural programmes are organised in Shimla during the tourist season.

Kufri is a popular ski resort and is at a distance of 16-kms rom Shimla. With thick woods around, Kufri offers a panoramic view of 2,000 miles of the great Himalayan ranges. Naldhera is another adventure area that is situated at a distance of 23-kms from the hill station. Naldhera is blessed with a thick cedar forest, attractive picnic spot and a 16-hole golf course. Fagu is another spot from where one can check out very fine views and has a lot of snow in winters for the delight of snow lovers and skiers.

Chabba is located on the road to Tattapani and is 53-kms away from Shimla. There is the one of the oldest hydroelectric power project, which is nowadays famous for river rafting. Situated 64-kms north of Shimla is Narkanda, at an altitude of 2,700m, a ski resort and also a popular spot for viewing the Himalayas particularly from the 3,300m high Hatu Peak.

Shimla to Kullu over the Jalori Pass (3300m) and Bashleo Pass (3250m)and Sarahan to Sangla are some popular treks.

Skiing slopes are at Narkanda (65 km. from Shimla) and Kufri (16 km from Shimla). (from Jan - mid March)

Naldehra offers a well groomed nine hole golf course.

At Rohru (100 km. from Shimla) and at Seema (9 km. from Rohru.

The Ridge : This large open space in the heart of town presents excellent views of the mountain ranges. Shimla’s landmarks - the neo-Gothic structure of Christ Chursh and the neo-Tudor library building are here.

Lakkar Bazaar : Popular for its wood crafts and souvenirs, this is just off the Ridge.

Jakhu Hanuman Temple:- No visit to the state capital Shimla is complete without visiting Jakhu Hill. This hill looms over Shimla town and is the geographical nucleus. the Hanuman temple at the top of Jakhu hill is the highest point in town. The steep climb is rewarding for the fine views it offers over the surrounding valleys, out to the snow capped peaks and over Shimla it self.

The temple is only 2 km from the Ridge but it could be an hour walk for a person not used to mountain climbing. the temple is one of the most favoured spots for tourists apart from pilgrims. There are many monkeys around the temple, but surprisingly they don’t attack people. Pilgrims offer them eatables which they readily accept. The approach to the temple is through a dense forest of deodars, though many find the climb tiresome. Ponies are available for a to and fro ride to the temple.

St. Micheal’s Cathedral : This dressed - stone church with fine stained glass has a cruciform design. It is located just off the Mall, below the District Courts.

The Glen : At 1830 m, this is a thickly wooded ravine through which a stream flows. It is a popular picnic spot.

Annandale :- Surrounded by a thick deodar forest this large glade has an ancient temple on an edge.

Bhargaon (4 km) : Approached either past the cemetery below St. Edward’s School, or through Tutikandi, this village ha splendid examples of traditional Himachal architecture.

Prospect Hill and Kamna Devi (6 km) : At 2125 and crowned by a temple dedicated to Kamna Devi, the Hill offers spectacular views of the area.

Sankat Mochan (7 km) : This is a temple dedicated to Lord Hanuman.

Chadwick Falls (8 km.) At 1586 m, these rain-fed falls are approached through Summerhill.
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The British called Shimla the “Queen of Hill Stations.” Situated in the north-West Himalayas, Shimla the summer capital of India before independence is now the capital of Himachal Pradesh. Shimla derives its name from “Shyamala";- the goddess Kali, whose temple existed in the dense forest that covered Jakhu Hill in the early 19th century. The English named it Simla. Shimla is well connected by air, road and rail with all parts of Himachal Pradesh, and the neighbouring states of Punjab, Haryana, Jammu and Kashimir and the Union territory of Chandigarh. Covering the area of 18 sq. km. at a height of 7,238 ft. Shimla is surrounded by pine, deodar, oak and rhododendron forests. Its well developed facilities, easy accessibility and numerous attractions make it one of Indian’s most popular and biggest hill-stations.

A narrow-railway links Kalka with Shimla. This important rail-link was built in 1924 and its “toy trains” still ply between the two stations, passing through 105 tunnels and beautiful rail-road stations. Half-way through the journey, after Solan, the lights of Shimla flow in the distance, looking like glimmering jewels studding the dark green of the mountains. The train takes six hours, and at every stop on the journey are smiling faces giving a warm welcome.

Situated in the North-West Himalayas, the climate of Shimla varies from a maximum of 10-11 degrees in winter to a maximum of 25-26 degreesin summers. Shimla never allows the gods to raise the temperature above that limit and the gods always oblige. Shimla changes its moods with the seasons. In spring we see flowers of all kinds, both wild and cultivated, smiling in each garden. During the monsoon, we 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. A gathering of dark clouds tells us of the approach of snow generally a slight fall first, followed by a heavier one when the snowflakes sweep down through the fine-needles bending long branches to the ground. The following morning sees the town as a fantastic fairyland of white beauty.

Places of Interest in and Around Shimla

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.

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 stained glass windows which represent faith, hope, charity, fortitude, patience and humility. Christ Church is a place all visitors should spend some time in.

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

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.

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.

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 lived in these quiet surroundings during his visits to Shimla. Himachal Pradesh University is situated here.

Annandale: Developed as the playground of Shimla, Annandale is 2-4 kms. from the Ridge at a height of 6,117 ft. It is a favourite spot for cricket, picnics and the princely game of polo.

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.

Sankat Mochan: A popular Hanuman temple is located here. We get an excellent view of Shimla from the temple. It can be reached by car or on foot.

Mashobra: 13 kms. away from Shimla, Mashobra has several excellent picnic spots. Mashobra is the site of the annual Sipi fair in June. The nearest rest house is at Craignano which is 3 kms. from Mashobra, and is a beautiful holiday resort.

Kufri: 16 kms. from Shimla at a height of 8,600 ft. Kufri is the winter sports capital. During winter, visitors have the facility for skiing. The skiing season is at its best during January and February. Equipment for sking is available from HPTDC winter sports club at Kufri. Apart from skiing, Kufri is a lovely picnic spot with a beautiful view of the hills around and the snowy peaks. There is also a zoo that delights children.

Naldehra: 22 kms. from Shimla and surrounded by beautiful deodar trees. Naldehra has a well kept nine-hole golf-course. It is a lovely, popular picnic spot. The annual Sipi fair in June is held in Naldehra.

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.

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Temples in Sirmaur: Himachal Pradesh

Himachal Pradesh is known as Dev Bhumi which meand the “Land of gods and goddesses.” This feeling is correct to a great extent as there exist many old and famours temples and in almost every village there is one temple of a local deity. Till today the villagers follow the directions of their local god before starting any new work or sowing and harvesting the crops. Even in illness or marriages, they invoke the blessings of their gods. This is the main reason that the people of the state are mostly satisfied with thier lot and doing very well. When they are free during winter, they take their deity to different places and fairs for meeting with other gods and the people. It is very interesting to see them in fairs and festivals. Shiva and Shakti are the main deities of this state. However, there are some old and known monasteries in Lahaul-Spiti and Kinnaur areas where some people practice Buddhism.

In addition there are some well known Sikh Gurudwaras where Guru Gobind Singh had gone or mediated. Since the English have ruled India for a pretty long time and had been visitng and staying in the hills, Himachal has Churches at Shimla, Dharamsala and Dalhousie. From the construction point of view they have different styles like Shikara, Pagoda, mandap, Flat-roofed, Caves and the local types. Some of the following temples, monasteries and gurudwaras are worth visiting when one is visiting Himachal Pradesh.

Temples in Palampur: Himachal Pradesh

Baijnath

It is a Holy pilgrimage center of the Hindus who keep coming to pay their respect to almost 1200 years old Mahadev temple. This temple is among oldest Shiva temples in the country, believed to have been built by the Pandavas. The Lingam (known as Vidyanath), one of the twelve Joytrilingamas in India, is installed in the Adytum.

The Shivratri fair held near this remarkable monument, with the majestic backdrop of the snow covered Dhauladhar range, draws several thousand pilgrims every year. Baijnath is 16 km from Palampur and 132 km from Pathankot and also connected by narrow gauge rail line.

Temples in Manali: Himachal Pradesh

Hadimba Devi - The Supreme Sacrifice

With a four-tiered, pagoda shaped roof and a front doorway carved with figures and symbols, the lovely temple stands as a mute tribute to the supreme artist who sacrificed the very hand with which he carved his paen in wood to the godess of the Dhoongri Temple Hadimba Devi, wife of Bhim - the Pandva. Every year in the month of May there is a major festival. At this very place, aeons ago, Bhim killed the strong and witfully cruel demon, Hadimb and married his sister Hadimba, shortly after. Hadimba expurgated her sins by performing a great ‘tapa’ and consequently began to be worshipped as a goddess. So delighted was the king with the artist, who had built the superb symbol of devotion that he cut off his hand in order to prevent the duplication of the temple elsewhere. Undaunted, the artist trained his left hand at the requets of the people, executed an even finer temole at Trilokinath in Chamba.

The people wer thrilled and as in a democracy, where power turns the head of the people acting as one, went one better thatn the king. They too, thought that such a masterpiece should not be repeated, and so cut off his head. The hapless, but devoted artist, had paid the supreme sacrifice to his art. Here, the valley narrows and the whispering of the deodars mingles with the tumult of the river. This temple is approachable by a foot path close to Hotel Rohtang Manas lu or via Hotel Kalpana, Devei Dyar and Chetna before Log Huts and it is almost 1.5 Km by road. A little higher up and 4 Km from Manali is a small but picturesque lake named after the sage Bhrigu.

Temples in Kasauli: Himachal Pradesh

About Monkey Point

The highest point in Kasauli called Monkey Point is just 4 km from Kasauli bus stand. The Monkey Point commands an excellent view of distant plains of Chandigarh region and the river Satluj tracing a silvery trail through the scene.

A small temple is also situated on the top of the hill which is dedicated to Lord Hanuman. According to legend at the of Ramayana when Lord Hanuman returning from Himalayas after obtaining Sanjivany Booty (Megical Herb) touch the hill by his foot thus top of hill is in foot shape. On a clear and starry night the gorgeous view of Chandigarh can be seen from the Monkey Point.

Temples in Kinnaur: Himachal Pradesh

Bhimakali Temple

The Bhimakali temple with its six Silver coated doors is a mixture of both Hindu and Buddhist style of architecture attracts pilgrims and tourists from all over the world. The temple of Bhimakali is situated at Sarahan. This temple is dedicated to Goddess Bhimakali, there are numerous other deities installed in the complex. One comes to know of the origin of the temple also through the legends in the “Markadya Purana� and Durga Shaptshati. Legends say Goddess Durga had promised the Devtas that she would save them from the atrocities of Asuras by re-incarnation. True to her word she decimated the asuras and became famous by the name of Bhima Devi. The five storey Bhimakali temple is situated on a hillock amongst beautiful scenery of gigantic deodar trees. The exquisitely carved wooden sloped roofs are slanting and slightly and concave. These roofs are reminiscent of the Chinese architecture.

There are two temples of Bhimakali .The original temple got tilted hence the second has been constructed in the same architectural style. The statuettes of Devis were installed in the temple in 1962.The one meter Ashtdhatu (alloys of 8 metals) Deity of Goddess surrounded by Parikrama Path on the four sides. Besides this deity are statuettes of numerous deities like Chamunda, Annpurna, Brajeshwari, Shiv-Parvati, Ganesh, and Buddha.

The Devi decorated with silver plates. The Bimakali temple attracts a stream of visitors during Navratras. Other major fairs celebrated with gaity and fervour are Janamashtami, Ramnavmi, Makar Sakranti, Shivratri and Diwali. Three day Dushehra fair dedicated to Raghunathji is enthusiastically celebrated with a Rath Yatra.