RETREAT FROM THE HEAT. Review on Shimla

Shimla (derives its name from Goddess Shyamala) is one of India’s most famous hill stations. Anyone in search of tranquility and peace should visit this place. But modernization has taken its toll on Shimla as well. Based on information I have read about Shimla, it is not the Shimla I visited fifteen years ago.

I visited Shimla around 15 years back with a friend of mine. She had her uncle, a priest staying in Punjab.

We went there in the month of June. After visiting Punjab we visited many other spots including Shimla. Shimla!!! What an experience!

I don’t remember all of my experiences, but a few of them are as fresh as ever. We were lucky to be able to stay in the premises of St. Michael’s Cathedral. It was a wonderful experience. We enjoyed the evening walks. I was bold enough to venture out without a sweater, but I doubt I would be able to do that now. I remember very clearly, in the evenings at around 8 o’clock, we would get two buckets of hot water for our bath. The first one to have bath was lucky as the water in the other bucket would be cold by then. Of course now the system might have changed.

We were given thick hand made beautiful gajdis (blankets) and it was a relief to be under them on antique beds, in the night.

St. Michael’s Church is the first Catholic house of Shimla. It was built in 1850. It is located at the western end of the Lower Bazaar. Its architecture is unusual with the additions it has had over the years. The Church has five altars made of marble, which were brought from Italy in 1855. It also has beautiful stained glass windows.

Shimla is located at an altitude of 2159 m above sea level. Shimla has been blessed with natural beauty. It is surrounded by snow covered mountains and beautiful greenery. The edifices of colonial times gives it a special touch.Shimla is the state capital of Himachal Pradesh, in northern India. The maximum temperature experienced is about 25°C during the summer. During Christmas, Shimla experiences snowfall. It surely must be beautiful then. I would love to visit Shimla during the snow. I have never experienced snow in my life. I believe the best season to visit Shimla is between September and November.

Shimla has an interesting past. It was a part of the Nepalese kingdom when the British discovered it in the year1819. The Government of India acquired Shimla during Lord William Bentinck's time. In 1830, the local Raja was persuaded by the British to part with the land. Shimla was made the summer capital of India in 1864. In 1903 a rail line was constructed between Kalka and Shimla. From independence to 1966, it was the capital of Punjab. After that it belonged to Himachal Pradesh.

Shimla has interesting sites. The hustle and bustle of tourists is at the Mall. The mall runs along the ridge. The Ridge is an interesting, large open space in the center of town, fro where you can see the beautiful mountain ranges. The Rashtrapati Niwas or Vice-Regal Lodge, which is a six-storey edifice is visited by many a tourist. This former residence of Lord Dufferin was built in 1888 and it is said that every brick for the building was carried by mules. The State Museum, built in 1974, has a vast collection of statues, photos, coins and many other displays about Himachal Pradesh. The Christ Church and St. Michael’s Cathedral are also popular and draws a lot of tourists. Christ Church was in 1846-1857, and is the second oldest church of Northern India. The Church overlooks the ridge. The antique clocks no longer function. The stained glasses in the church are worth having a look at. St. Michael's Cathedral and Roman Catholic Cathedral are close by to the Mall. The Jhaku temple and the temple dedicated to Shyamala Devi are also popular. Barnes Court, the official residence of the Governor of Himachal Pradesh is another spot attracting a lot of tourists in Chota Shimla. The Glen forests with a stream flowing through it, is a picnic spot worth a visit. Beyond Glen you find Annandale, which is also a picnic spot. The Auckland house (a girl’s school now) on Elysium hill and Stirling Castle (an orphanage now) nearby are also popular.

The list of places you can visit is endless. Be there and see for yourself. And be sure to enjoy as I did!!!