MY SHIMLA DIARIES

By funtoosh_DIARIES - May 11, 2019

Located in the MOUNT HIMALAYAS,Lies this this natural beauty of SHIMLA FROM THE BRITISH ARC-HISTORY DRIVEN MONUMENT,TO THE APPLE ORCHARDS,and snow capped peaks

SHIMLA AKA QUEEN OF THE HILLS
or The GEM OF THE HIMALAYAS
Owing to its scenic beauty and rich heritage Shimla was always on top of my Travel BUCKET-LIST

for the summer getaway

SHIMLA-ONE OF THE POPULAR HILL STATIONS IN INDIA WAS ALSO THE SUMMER CAPITAL OF THE BRITISH INDIA
With the colonial past and surrounding of oak and pine forests makes shimla all time favorite holiday destination of the tourists

BEST TIME TO VISIT :It can be visited all year round Most ideal time to experience Shimla is from march to June and September to December

THE WEATHER: the WEATHER DURING THIS PERIOD IS PLEASANT
SHIMLA receives the snowfall during Christmas in December

@funtoosh_diaries

WEATHER: 15 DEGREE CELSIUS IS THE AVG. recorded temperature in SHIMLA

THE WARMEST RECORDED MONTH :June with avg temp. 20 degree Celsius

COLDEST MONTH : JANUARY with avg temp 5 degree Celsius
Heavy snowfall is recorded during this period

Clothing essentials:light clothing and light woolens in summers
while heavy warmers and woolens in winters
Also consider the walking shoes, trekking boots,rain gears,and sunscreen

day 1

GETTING TO SHIMLA- WE TOOK THE SHATABDI EXPRESS FROM THE NEW DELHI RAILWAY STATION TO THE KALKA

FROM THERE WE TOOK THE KALKA SHIMLA RAILWAY WHICH IS RECOGNIZED UNDER THE UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE STATUS.

YOU CAN ALSO HIRE A TAXI FROM KALKA TO SHIMLA WHICH TAKES 3 HOURS

WE HAD OUR LUNCH ON BOARD OF THE HERITAGE TRAIN

REACHED SHIMLA

WE HAD VARIETY OF HOTELS AVAILABLE TO US.BUT WE CHOOSE THE.........

WE HEAD TO THE MALL STREET OF SHIMLA.

WE STROLLED AROUND THE MALL STREET CHECKING FOR LOCAL EATERIES AND SHOPPING STORES AND LINGERED TO ENJOY THE WONDER AND THE CHARM OF THE HILL STATION

@funtoosh_diaries

AT THE AFTERNOON WE WENT TO THE RESTAURANT FOR THE QUICK BITES

WE HAD A LOT ON OUR EXPERIMENT PLATE

AT THE EVENING WE WENT TO THE INDIAN COFFEE HOUSE,AN OLD AND ESTABLISHED INSTITUTION WITH A UNIQUE AMBIANCE

@funtoosh_diaries

THE EVENING

WE WERE STROLLING THE MALL ROAD IN SEARCH OF SOMETHING FANCY HOWEVER FURTHER DOWN THE MALL ROAD ,THE LAKKAR BAAZAR(WOODEN MARKET) CAUGHT OUR ATTENTION.

LAKKAR BAZAR(OR THE WOODEN MARKET )IS KNOWN FOR ITS WOODEN SOUVENIRS

next we saw the artistic performance at the gaitey heritage cultural complex

DAY 2
IN THE MORNING WE hike up TO THE 30 min journey to the JAKHOO HILL,WHICH IS THE HIGHEST POINT IN SHIMLA ie.2455 m
WE CAUGHT GREAT PANORAMIC VIEW of the shivalik mountain range IN OUR CAMERA

EVENING BLISSFUL VIEW OF SHIMLA
VALLEY

@FUNTOOSH_DIARIES

IN THE EVENING IT WAS A REAL BLISS WHEN WE MADE OUR WAY TO THE WILDFLOWER HALL(FORMERLY IT WAS THE RESIDENCE OF THE LORD KITCHENER.NOW IT SERVES AS A LUXURY HOTEL RUN BY THE OBEROIS

ONE CAN TREAT ONESELF WITH THE BEAUTIFUL AND STUNNING VIEWS OF THE HIMALAYAS FROM THE RESTAURANTS

our next stop was the HIMACHAL STATE MUSEUM,depicting the rich culture,TRADITION AND HERITAGE of the HIMACHALS
This museum was built in the 19th century
It has collection of traditional costumes,jewelries,miniatures and photographs from the regions of HImachal,Rajasthan and Punjab
You can study vividly the culture of himachal and shimla

DAY 3

IN THE MORNING we headed to the Viceregal Lodge
with the baroque architecture also known as the Hogwarts of India
It served as the summer residence of the British Viceroys
and was made out of the grey sandstone and blue limestone
the shimla agreement was seeled within the walls of viceregal lodge
Today it serves as collection of books,artefacts and miniatures

IT IS TRULY A STUNNING AND MARVELOUS CREATION OF THE BRITISH WITH THE BEAUTIFUL LUSH GREEN LAWNS

WHICH FURTHER ADDS TO THE BEAUTY OF THE CASTLE

It is perched top the observatory hill

to gives the panoramic view of the SHIMLA

valley

EVEN TODAY WE CAN FIND ARTICLES AND PHOTOGRAPHS FROM THE BRITISH ERA

next....(get pics)Next we captured some images of the Gaiety Theater,great architectural landmark in the Mall Road
The theater was built in the Victorian era and even today it hosts events and plays in Rudyard Kipling and SHashi KAPOOR have frequently preformed in the independent India

@funtoosh_diaries

SOME HIGHLIGHTS FROM MY VISIT TO SHIMLA

SHOPPING:YOU WILL FIND BOTH RICH INDEGENOUS GOOD TO THE RICH TEBETAN GOOD
ADVENTURE:HIKING INTO THE DEEP FORESTS

IN THE AFTERNOON WE HEADED TO THE KUFRI AMUSEMENT PARK

@funtoosh_diaries

OTHER HISTORIC LANDMARK:
Rothney Castle being under the NEO GOTHIC STYLE by the British.with the balconies adorned with the zari work

Then there is ROthney Castle also known as the residence of the AO HUME the founder of the congress It is flanked by pine and oak trees.It is enriched with intricate interiors and magnificent conservatory

this proprety was held on the Jakhoo hill
It also reflected the glorious past in intricate wood work and glass works

Christ church on the eastern end of the ridge is the most prominent landmark of shimla and the second oldest church in india back to 1857
It is fine example of the neo gothic architecture of the Victorian era and is characterized by the huge clock tower and collection of old scriptures

@funtoosh_diaries

jaakhu/goibibo

DAY 4

On the morning we visited the Jaakhu temple which is dedicated to the lord hanuman.You will find many monkeys around the complex.
WE had our valuables safe inside

scandal point
was the point where the maharana of patiala eloped with the daughter of viceroy and the couble was banished from shimla

scandal point/tripadvisor

ON the last day we explored many eateries which had great impression on our taste buds

Shimla has unique cuisine and flavors

@FUNTOOSH_DIARIES

You can explore the specialties of shimla.
Dham is yet another culinary experience which is cooked in festivals

another popular staple of himachal is Gucci matar which is combination of mushroom and peas in spicy gravy
we choose to dine at the ASIANA at the mall

FOr the evening snacks we chose the INDIAN COFFEE HOUSE

THe last day we had preserved for the shopping at the MALL.
Mall road is the lifeline of the town of shimla
the colonial buildings are centre of all activity
You will find the cafes,restaurants popular with the tourists here

@FUNTOOSH_DIARIES

It was a great delight to shop traditional handicrafts,and antiques

@funtoosh_diaries

Himalayan Emporium was our next stop
It had the authentic touch of himachal.
It had wide range of products to offer from pottery to the authentic jewelry

from kinnauri shawls,to kangra silk to pashmina shawls
AS a memory from the trip Himalayan souvenirs are also available

we also went to the Lakkar Bazaar which is known for the wooden items as its highlights

SOME OTHER CAPTUES: