Shimla

Shimla, the capital of Himachal Pradesh is a scenic hill station.  It is about 120KM from Chandigarh.  The place can be reached by train or bus.  Generally tourists go by train to enjoy the vintage train journey passing amidst mountains and tunnels.  The train starts at Kalka, about 40KM from Chandigarh.  The train we booked was Shivalik express which was supposed to depart at 5.30AM.  We reached the station by 5AM.  But the train arrived on the platform at 7.30 and departure was at 8.30AM. 

On the way to Shimla

The waiting at the station in cold was a chilly experience.  The upper class waiting room was stinking and the 2^nd class waiting room was better to lay back.  The train is different from other regular trains.  It is toy train, seats are different and their direction can be changed.  It takes 4hrs to Shimla from Kalka.  Tea and break fast is served on the train. The train passes through hundred tunnels, small and long, the longest is the Baroga tunnel.  The journey through the mountains is breathtaking.  The scenes change so quickly that it is difficult to take the photograph of what you want.  The view of houses, plantation, fields, snow covered mountains and deodar trees apparently touching the sky are a feast to nature lovers.  Bus journey also takes us through the mountains, but the train journey is more pleasant.  The duration of journey is same by train or bus, but bus journey feels more tedious and there is always fear of hill sickness – motion sickness, which can cause vomiting.  The bus drivers here seem to be used to hill sickness, that they give pouches to passengers to vomit in to it if it occurs. 

The best time to visit Shimla is between January and March.  This is the time when there will be snowfall and tourist can enjoy the beauty of the place.  Tourists should be lucky to have sunny day after snow fall so that they can see places of interest.  If the snowfall continues the roads may be closed and roaming in the city may not be possible.

At Ridge, in the upper photograph Lord Hanuman Idol is seen amidst trees on the mountain.

All the tourists who come here visit Jakku Hanuman temple, Kufri, and Ridge.

The roads are narrow, winding with sharp curves and steep rises and bends.  It is really frightening when the driver negotiates reverse on the road that is raised by an angle of 45 degrees.  We should pray Almighty for safety of our life and limb and appreciate driver’s skill for keeping us intact.  Noticing such hazardous driving I was surprised for the driver not wearing seat belt.

“Here the roads are so narrow and steep and possibility of falling down into the valley beside the road.  Don’t you have the rule to wear to seat belt?” I asked the driver.

“We do have.  But we don’t follow.  The police here know us.  If ever there is any checking we just put the belt on.  Police will leave us with little fine or admonishment.  But if people from outside come in their car they must wear the belt.  Otherwise they will be fined heavily”, he told.

“Wearing seat belt really saves life.  Every driver should make it a habit”.  I know my advice will not enter his ears. 

At Mall Road

The mall road is for buying things for tourists.  There are other bazaars too.  But tourists visit this place as this is a level lower than Ridge the best scenic area where Himalayas are seen in all their splendour.  A level lower is the lower bazaar.  The Mall road is reached by a lift.  As we were advised by our driver we made a point to purchase ‘Kulu’ shawls and ‘pattiwali’ coats from Himachal Pradesh Khadi Bhandar, where the rates are fixed and we get genuine material.  There are steps to go down to lower bazaar, where there are many petty shops and hawkers selling woolen materials.  If we walk up along the Mall Road and take a right turn we can get on to Ridge.  There are also steps at two places to climb up to Ridge maidan.  Tourist can have horse ride here.  There are statues of Mahatma Gandhi, Lajpat Rai, Indira Gandhi.  We can also visit Kalibari Mandir, Gandhi Memorial, and also a church of British era and Scandal point.  Walking down the Ridge we reach the “Lakkar Bazaar” where articles made of wood are sold.  I found the articles were economically priced.

The Hanuman Idol on the hill near Jakku Hanuman Temple can be seen from here.  We were lucky to able to visit Jakku Hanuman temple.  Just a day before the temple was closed due to heavy snowfall.  There are many stories about the monkeys inhabiting near the temple.  Everybody advised us not hold any thing in hands and keep our bags safely closed and men not to carry anything in their shirt pockets.  We were even warned that the monkeys will sometimes take away the worn spectacles too.  We were scared to take any photographs here.  We had taken few photographs under intense pressure and in hurry. 

Lord Hanuman on the Hill

And about the Hanuman, there is a story that Lord Hanuman, as he carried Sanjeevani mountain to the battle field of Rama-Ravana, had laid for rest a fraction of a second on this hill and this made the mountain pushed down into the earth to some degree.  This is highest mountain in Shimla.  Tourists are given sticks to scare away the monkeys if necessary. 

Monkeys at Jakku Hanuman Temple

 As we climbed up the steps which were more than two hundred, we were more pressurized by the sounds the monkeys were making by running on the shelter and swinging on the branches of the trees along the path, than the pain in the legs. The scare of monkeys makes us to close the temple doors immediately we enter inside.  I felt that the monkeys know their limits and never attempted to come near the door. 

On the way to Kufri and at Kufri 

The place most enjoyed in Shimla trip is playing in the snow at Kufri.  If the drivers are interested, they will take the tourists very near to Kufri.  But they generally don’t.  Two kilometers horse riding towards Kufri will be memorable experience.  Not to wet ourselves and for better protection in snow, different boots and dress are given on rent.  When it is a holiday trip, people will be ready to spend money for pleasure.

Any person who had not seen snow before in life will become childlike and enjoys the feel of snow.  Sitting, playing, walking and skiing in the milky white snow is ecstatic.  Vision of snow covered Himalayas from here makes the person feel on top of the world.  

There are yaks at Kufri.  The owner of the yak will allow the tourists to sit on the yak and take photograph for a price. 

I feel that Shimla is a place to visit at least once in life time.