|
 The British empire may have
ceased to exist, but its echoes linger on in Shimla (2130 m).
As the summer capital' of the British in India, this was the
country's focus for the better part of every year and now, it
is the state capital of Himachal Pradesh. Today, its well
developed facilities, easy accessibility and numerous
attractions make it one of India's most popular hill resorts.
Places in the lower ranges of the Himalaya mountains, it is
surrounded by pine, deodar, oak and rhododendron forests.
Within the town are a host of splendid colonial edifices,
quiant cottages and charming walks. Shimla holds a variety of
shopping, sport and entertainment.
How to get there
:
The airport is at
Jubbarhatti, 23 km away. Shimla is connected to Kalka by an
enhancing narrow gauge railway line - wherer even a quiant
rail-car plys. By road, Chandigarh is 117 km, Manali is 219
km, Chail is 45 km and Delhi is at a distance of 370 km. From
Delhi, the driving time is about eight hours. From Delhi,
Manali and Chandigarh, luxury coaches and taxis ply to
Shimla.
 |
Indian Institute of
Advanced Study : At 1983 m, this magnificent English
renaissance structure was the former Vicerega Lodge. Its
lawns and woodland and added attractions. Entry by
ticket nominal charge). A portion of the interior is
also open to the public, except on Sundays and
Holidays. |
| Indian
Institute of Advance Studies |
|
Climate : In
winter, the temperature can drop below freezing point when
heavy woollens are required. Summer temperatures are mild and
light woollens/cottons are recommended.
Place of interest
in and around Shimla :
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.
Jakhoo Hill : At
2455 m., this is the town's highest peak and a vantage point
for Shimla's famous views. The summit is crowned with a temple
dedicated to Lord Hanuman. The hill is full of paths and
narrow roads which are enjoyable walks.
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.
State Museum : This
houses a representative collection of Himachal Pradesh's rich
heritage exhibits inculde archeological artifacts, carvings,
paintings and sculptures. Closed on Tuesdays and
holidays.
|
 Himachal
State Museum was opened on January 26, 1974 with the
purpose of collecting and protecting the scattered
cultural heritage of Himachal Pradesh particularly in
the Westem Himalayan principalities. Since then this
institution has been preserving the state cultural and
artistic heritage and imparting its service to acquire,
conserve, and exhibit the arte- facts to educate the
people. The Research Scholars and people at large visit
the institution from India and abroad. The art objects
displayed in the museum stand as eloquent testimony to
life of the past and have their value to access the
technological, artistic and religious concept. It is
housed in an old double story heritage building, 'Inveram'.
The Government of India
had transferred this building having historical
importance for housing the Museum. Previously, the
building was a private residence of Lord William
Beresford, the Military Secretary to the Viceroy for
many years. After Lord William Beresford left India, the
General Sir Edwin Collan occupied it and then by Sir
Edward Law, the Financial member of the council. After
it served as residence of Indian government officials.
 Art
objects in the Museum collection are mostly related to
art, archaeology and cultural anthropology of Himachal
and other states of India. At present Museum, has about
9000 objects in its collection. At the outset, museum
started with four galleries. Since then more galleries
have been added. These galleries pertain to Pre-
historic, Indian Archaeology, Woodcarvings, Himachal
Archaeology, Pahari Miniature Paintings Monuments,
Photographs, Rajasthan paintings, Bronzes, Numismatic,
Arms Gallery,
Gandhi Gallery, Philatelic, Anthropological,
Contemporary Art & Wall Paintings gallery.
In addition to these galleries museum has one exhibition
hall for arranging the exhibition and other museum
activities.
Pre- Historic Gallery:
-At the entrance of museum, the visitors can have a view
of some fiberglass models of extinct wild animals which
were used to roam in the Shivalik hills, million of
years ago. In the gallery, some stone tools and fossils
are on display, which show the development of technique
of tools.
 Wood-Carving
Gallery:- Here one can
find the display of wood carving and panels retrieved
from the old- age temple and houses of state. There is a
fine display of masks, which are still used in various
religious and cultural festivities. The gallery serves
as a living example of traditional wooden art of Himachal.
Apart from this
Some
stone sculpture of Himachal are also on display.
Archaeology Gallery:-
The sculpture from different parts of India are
displayed here. The themes, styles and material of these
sculptures provide us with a good perspective of the
cultural life of the various regions and provide a
comparative study of art for research. Apart from this,
some terracotta's of Maurya, Shunga and Gupta period and
pottery shreds of proto- historic period are also on
display.
 Himachal
Archaeological Gallery: -
Gallery has a
unique collection of stone sculptures from different
parts of the State which reflects the artistic skill of
the regional artists. The sculptures of Simhavahini
Durga from Hatkoti, Surya from Kullu, Vishnu and Lakshmi
from Nirmand, Kartikeya from Karsog and Nidhi from
Kangra are among the displayed sculpture.
Pahari
Miniature Painting Gallery: - Himachal is well known
for its Kangra Miniature Paintings in the art history.
The miniature painting of different school like that of
Kangra, Guler, Basholi, Bilaspur and Mandi etc are on
display. These paintings were done on hand-made paper
prepared by the prisoners of Sialkot Jail and natural
colors are used in paintings. The themes of these
paintings are drowned from epics, Git-Govinda,Ragmala ,Baramasa,
Bihari Satsai and other secular themes.
Wall Painting
Gallery:- The tradition of decorating the temples,
palaces and royal houses with wall were prevalent in
Himachal. The wall paintings displayed here are
retrieved from the palace 'Rang Mahal' of Chamba and
dated back to first half of 19th century A.D .
Photographs Gallery: -In
up-stair one can find the display of photographs of
important monuments of Himachal Pradesh. The photographs
depict the hill architecture.
Rajasthan Miniature Painting Gallery:-
Miniature paintings and portrait from various school of
Rajasthan, i.e. Jaipur, Mewar, Buildi, Kota, Malwa,etc.
are on display. In addition, some paintings of Mughal
School, Sikh School and Company period are also
exhibited.
Bronze Gallery:-Bronzes
of different regions of Himachal are exhibited in this
gallery. In addition to it bronzes of rest of India are
also displayed which reflects the cultural tradition,
artisanship and religious belief of the people.
Numismatic Gallery:-
Coins discovered in different parts of Himachal are
chronological displayed in the gallery. Gallery throws a
complete light on the numismatic history of Himachal.
Coins right from Punch mark i.e. first Indian coin to
the present coins are on display in its chronological
order. Apart from this some chart of coins showing the
different types of coins issued by the ruler during
their reign., |
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.
Tara Devi (11 km) :
A thickly wooded hill whose peak has a temple dedicated to
Tara Devi.
Mashobra (12 km) :
At 2149 m, this beautiful subrub is surrounded by a thick
forest. From here, a track leads down to Sipur which is an
exquisite glade shaded by ancient deodar trees. There are old
temples on a side and a fair is held every April.
Kufri (16 km) : At
2501 m, this is famous for its wide views and ski slopes. An
enjoyable walk leads up to the Mahasu Peak. At Kufri, Himachal
Tourism runs Cafe Lalit.
Fagu (22 km) : At
2510 m, Fagu has some enchanting Tourism runs the Hotel Peah
Blossom here.
Nuldehra (22 km) :
At 2044 m, this is a none hole, par 69 golf course. It was
designed by the British Viceroy, Lord Curzon who was so
enchanted by the place that he geve his daughter Alexandre
`Naldehra' as her second name.
Chail (45 km) :
This was the former `summer capital' of the Patiala State. the
palace is now run as a luxury hotel bny Himachal
Tourism.
Tattapani (51 km) :
At 656, there are hot sulphur springs here. Himachal Tourism
has a restaurant and a Tourist Bungalow at Tattapani.
Sight Seeing Tours
: During the `season', Himachal Tourism runs a variety of
sightseeing tours from Shimla.
Adventure and
fishing :- There are numerous walks within and close to Shimla.
And there are many soft to medium treks that can use Shimla as
the base. Some treks are to Shalipeak, to the Kullu Valley
over the Jalori pass or the Bashleo pass, Shimla to Chail,
Shimla to Tattapani. angling for trout can be done on the
river Pabbar, near Rohru.
Shopping :- There is
an enormous range of goods that Shimla has to offer. This
includes handicrafts, wood and metalwork, shawls, pullovers,
local tweeds, caps, Tibetan carpets and pickles, jams and
squashes.
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