Shimla, the capital of Himachal Pradesh, is a very beautiful hill station. Due to its weather and scenic beauty, it was the summer capital of India during British rule. The stunning and picturesque views here attract everyone towards them. Mention of Shimla often finds its way into our conversations. For instance, when cool breeze blows, we often spontaneously say, “Shimla ki hawa chal rahi hai” (Shimla’s breeze is blowing). I always had a desire to visit Shimla, but for some reason, a plan to visit Shimla could not materialize.
My elder brother works as a locomotive pilot in Indian Railways. Upon his transfer to Kalka, he was assigned duty to operate the world-famous Toy Train from Kalka to Shimla. Upon his invitation, we made a plan to visit Shimla. It was December, and the entire Northern India was experiencing the widespread impact of winter. There couldn’t have been a better weather to roam around snowy hill stations. We travelled from Saharanpur, a city in Uttar Pradesh, to Kalka via Rail. Our journey was to be on the Toy Train from Kalka to Shimla.
Passing through mountains and dense forests to reach Shimla felt like entering paradise. Truly, Shimla is a very beautiful city. There are many places to visit here, and I will elaborate on some of the main attractions-
However, as the day turns into evening, Shimla becomes incredibly beautiful, and the entire city lights up. The Christ Church located on the Ridge is very popular. Mall Road is also the most suitable place for shopping. There are very good restaurants here for eating and drinking. I really enjoyed having ice cream here.
➥ Kalka – Shimla Toy Train
Currently, there are Toy Trains operating on Narrow Gauge in 4 locations in India. These places are Matheran in Maharashtra, Ooty in Tamil Nadu, Darjeeling in West Bengal, and Shimla in Himachal Pradesh. The distance from Kalka to Shimla is approximately 96 kilometers and it takes about 6 hours to cover this distance. Along the route of this train, which passes through about 101 tunnels, 860 bridges, and more than 900 curves, you can see beautiful mountains, forests, and towns.
This train journey is included in UNESCO’s list of World Heritage Sites. I really enjoyed traveling to Shimla on this train. My suggestion is to definitely take this Toy Train journey from Kalka to Shimla. You will have a wonderful experience.
➥ Shri Hanuman Jakhoo Temple
Located on Jakhoo Hills, the Jakhoo Temple is dedicated to Lord Hanuman. The 108 feet tall statue of Hanuman Ji is very majestic. The temple is easily visible from Mall Road and almost all parts of Shimla. From here, the city of Shimla and the views of sunrise and sunset appear very scenic.
According to mythological stories, it is believed that during the Treta Yuga, Hanuman Ji stopped here for a while to rest when he was going to fetch the Sanjeevani herb to save the life of unconscious Lakshmana, who was injured by Meghnad’s attack. You can reach here easily from Shimla city by car or ropeway. There are also many monkeys in the temple premises, so take care of your valuables.
➥ Green Valley
Green Valley is one of the main attractions in Shimla. Surrounded by dense and lush deodar forests, this place is very peaceful and picturesque. Located on the way to Kufri from Shimla, this spot is excellent for photography. The distance from Shimla to Green Valley is only 7 kilometers. Spending time here was truly a delightful experience. The beautiful scenery here is very soothing to the eyes. We stayed here for a long time and thoroughly enjoyed these beautiful views. Truly, these valleys are very enchanting. You must visit here.
➥ Kufri
Located 13 kilometers away from Shimla, Kufri is famous for its snowy mountains and valleys. Visitors usually take a thrilling ride on khachchar (pony) from the car parking area up to the hills, which is full of excitement. Tourists from all over the world come to Kufri for snow skiing. Here, you can also enjoy a yak ride. The atmosphere in Kufri is very lively, and tourists thoroughly enjoy the natural beauty here.
We had a lot of fun playing in the snow here. There are many stalls selling snacks, and enjoying tea in the cold here is a different experience altogether. You can see snow-covered distant hills and apple orchards through binoculars here. Kufri has also been a shooting location for Bollywood films. Kufri is indeed a very nice place to visit.
Our trip to Shimla and Kufri was very memorable. Spending leisurely moments in these beautiful valleys with my family was very enjoyable. The soothing weather of Shimla and the stunning views make one forget all the stress. The evening on the famous Mall Road in Shimla was truly beautiful.
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➜ Don’t forget to do this in Shimla: Toy train journey, visit Green Valley, skiing in Kufri, photography.
➜ How to reach Shimla: The nearest airport, Chandigarh, is 112 kilometers away, and the nearest railway station, Kalka, is 96 kilometers away, from where you can reach Shimla by toy train or car. Shimla can also be easily accessed by road from places like Chandigarh, Ambala, etc.
➜ Best time to visit Shimla: Although tourists visit Shimla throughout the year, the best time to visit is from March to June. Winter months of December and January are ideal for enjoying snowfall in Shimla. My suggestion is to visit Shimla during winters.
➜ Time required for Shimla trip: 4 days / 3 nights
Information Source: Authentic information sources available on internet, Various Articles and books on the subject & Interaction with local public.
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