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SHIMLA
 Shimla
(also spelt as 'Simla') derives its name from goddess 'Shayamla
Devi', which is another manifestation of Goddess Kali. The
capital of Himachal Pradesh came into light when the British
discovered it in 1819. Till then, it was a part of the
Nepalese kingdom. In 1864 Shimla was declared as the summer
capital of India. After Independence, Shimla became 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, one
can think of. Dwelling on a panoramic location, the hilly
town is surrounded by green pastures and snow-capped peaks.
The spectacular cool hills accompanied by the structures
made during the colonial era create an aura, which is very
different from other hill stations.
Bulging at its seams with unprecedented expansion, Shimla
retains its colonial heritage, with grand old buildings,
among them are the stately Viceregal Lodge, charming iron
lamp posts and Anglo-Saxon names. The Mall, packed with
shops and eateries, is the centre of attraction of the town,
and Scandal Point, associated with the former Maharaja of
Patiala's escapades, offers a view of distant snowclad
peaks.
Shimla's Heritage Walks
Have A stroll Around The Summer Capital
Shimla is one of the few places in the world where an
enormous amount of history and heritage has been distilled
into such a small place in so short a time. The town came
into being in the first quarter of the 19th century and some
four decades later, became the "Summer Capital' of British
India. Till the coming of India's independence in 1947,
momentous events and memorable architecture packed the town.
Today, the colonial order is gone, but its architectural
bequest is now a part of the legacy for a free India. And
the seven hills of Shimla hold a variety of architectural
styles from all over the world- made all the more
distinctive, for manstructural elements are local. In
addition, the town has one of the longest stretches of
purely pedestrian road and shopping anywhere in the world -
the Mall. Shimla also holds what may well be the Earth's
only 'urban forest'.
Shimla's Seven Hill Attractions
The seven hills of Shimla are - Prospect Hill in Western
Shimla, which has the temple of Kamna Devi; Summer Hill in
Western Shimla, which has the campus of the Himachal Pradesh
University; Observatory Hill in Western Shimla, which holds
the estate of the Indian Institute of Advanced Study;
Invererarm in Western Shimla, whose top has the State
Museum; Bantony in central Shimla, which has the Grand
Hotel; Jakhoo in central Shimla, which is crowned by the
temple indicated to Lord Hanuman, and Elysium in
north-western Shimla, which holds Auckland House and
Longwood and reaches out towards the Bharari spur.
Shimla's Malls
As the town of Shimla grew through the 19th century, its
Mall steadily developed as the town's commercial street and
the hub of its social life. The road, which some 5-km in
length, starts in the west at the gates of he former
Viceregal Lodge , the present day Indian Institute of
Advanced Study and ends at Chhota Shimla or 'Small' Shimla,
in the east.
The route has bends, as one would expect any hill road to
have, ut its nature essentially follows a wide sweeping
curve along the hills. The primary aspect is south facing
and affords a view of the valley below the town and of the
foothills that reach out to the plains from its habitation.
In pockets, snatches of the northern aspect spring up for a
dramatic view and hold woods of Pine and Himalayan Cedar -
the majestic Deodar. This picture of nature's bounty is
framed by the distant snow ranges of the Greater Himalaya.
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