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Situated in the north-west
Himalayas, Shimla is the capital of Himachal Pradesh. Spread across 12 kms  cultivations, Shimla is
magnificently robed in dense forests of oak and pine, fur and rhododendron, and
it is best to travel here on the slow train from Kalka. Shimla also is a
convenient base for variety of adventure sports such as Skiing, Trekking,
Fishing and Golfing etc.
The Nepalese call Shimla (it was once part of Nepal), Shyamala, another name of
the Hindu goddess Kali. But the Himachal town became an important destination
only after the British made it the summer capital of India. From then onwards
every summer till 1939, it played host to the British administration, the scene
of a hectic social life: balls, bridges and parades.
Shopping is a wonderful experience here, such is the variety. Exquisitely
designed shawls of Kinnaur, the distinctive woolen caps of Kullu, and the
embroidered handkerchiefs of Chamba accent their colourful, festive clothing.
The Kangra Valley school of paintings are other popular souvenirs.
GENERAL INFORMATION
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Area : 18 sq. km.
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Altitude : 2,213 metres.
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Temperature (deg C): Summer- Max.27, Min.14.5; Winter- Max.16.5, Min.5.2.
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Clothings : Summer - Light woollens, Winter - Heavy woollens.
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Best Season : April to Mid-July, Mid-September to Mid-November.
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Languages Spoken : Pahari (Local Dialect), Hindi, English.
TRANSPORT AND COMMUNICATION
Air : Vayudoot services connect Jubbor-Hatti (23 kms from Shimla) with Kullu,
Chandigarh and Delhi. Delhi is in turn connected with Culcutta by Indian
Airlines flights. Jagson Airlines has also flights from Delhi to Shimla.
 Rail: Shimla is connected by a narrow guage railway line with Kalka (90 kms)
which in turn is connected with the major cities in India.
Road: Regular bus services connect Shimla with Chandigarh 117 kms, Kullu 220 kms,
Manali 260 kms, Delhi 343 kms, Mandi 150 kms, Pathankot 380 kms, Ambala 151 kms,
Chail 43 kms, Dehradun 240 kms etc.
PLACES OF INTEREST
Jakhoo Hill- 2 kms, Glen- 4 kms, Summer Hill- 5 kms, Chadwick Falls- 7 kms, Zoo-
4 kms, Navbahar- 4 kms, Sanket Mochen- 5 kms, Tara Devi Temple- 8 kms, Institute
of Advance Studies- 4 kms, Aviary at Old Raj Bhavan- 1 km, Tibetan Monastery- 8
kms, Dhengu Mata Temple- 5 kms.
EXCURSIONS
Naldera : 23 kms.Tattapani : 43 kms. Wildflower Hall : 13 kmsMashobra : 13
kms.Kufri : 16 kms.Chail : 43 kms.Kasauli : 77 kms.
SPORTING ACTIVITIES
Golfing : Nine hole Golf Course at Naldhera, 23 km from Shimla.
Fishing : Trout fishing is available at Rohru 110 km from Shimla and at Seema 1
km from Rohru. Mahaseer fishing is available at Tattapani 43 km from Shimla.
Skiing : The skiing season generally commences in the first fortnight of January
and continues till Mid-March depending upon snow conditions
Trekking : The Shimla-Kinnaur region offers some exciting trekking opportunities
viz.
a) Shimla to Kulu via Jaloni Pass (66 kms).
b) Shimla to Kulu via Bashleo Pass (56 kms).
c) Sarahen to Sangla (106 kms). |
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