Simla Things to Do

Hi Sandy,

I liked the Jaakhu temple in Simla. Though be aware of the very naughty and impertinent monkeys there. They can injure even when they do not mean to and take care of your belongings.

Regards,
Walker

Places Nearby

Chail is 43 kms from Shimla and a little higher up. It is a small little hill station created by the Maharaja of Patiala. Chail has undulating hillsides, streams, and wooded areas where you can see sambhar and whole lot of exotic birds. Chail has not been touched by the evils of mass tourism and largely retains much of its old charm.

Things To Pack

Heavy woolens in the winter and warm cloths for the rest of the year. Pack your walking shoes because you would invariably like to take some long leisure walks through the woods.

Whilst you are here, you should have at least one walk down the Mall. Whether you want to go shopping, get something to eat or watch people go about their day lives. The Mall is a popular place for people to meet and talk.

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We were sitting outside Coffee Cafe Day watching the army and police practicing their marches for Republic Day. Republic Day marks the adoption of the constitution of India and the transition of India from a British Dominion to a Republic on January 26th 1950. It is a national holiday.

It was quite impressive and the Indian Army were not afraid to show the range of weapons that they have. We recognised at least one of the tunes that the Army were marching to. We did get a few smiles from the Army.

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The site for the Viceregal Lodge was selected by Lord Lytton, the British Viceroy of India during 1876-80. It was built during the Viceroyalty of Lord Dufferin during 1884-88 in Neo-Gothic style with elements of Scottish Baronial architecture. Inside, the magnificent reception hall and corridors are lined from floor to ceiling with heavy teak panelling. Several momentous decisions were taken here as, in 1947, it was the venue for the decision of the partition of India following independence from the British.

I joined a group of other tourists where we were shown round a few of the rooms inside as part of a guided tour. The tour guide pointed out that the building still has its original electrics and wiring from 1890 and that it still all works. He also mentioned that there are 24 water tanks in the roof that are connected to pipes that can provide sprinkler water jets to all the rooms in case of a fire. Rainwater is collected off the roof and stored in a large tank underneath the lawn outside the building so that it can be used to water the gardens. After the British pulled out of India in 1947, India's first Prime Minister, Nehru, used the Lodge as his summer home before it was handed over to use as some Indian institute of something or other studies which still use it today.

Tours: Winter - 9am-1pm & 2-5pm, Summer - 9am-1pm & 2-7pm. Admission: Rs50 for foreigners.

The State Museum opened in 1974 and is located up a very steep hill about 2.5km west of Scandal Point on the way to the Viceregal Lodge. The museum contains has exhibits of stone and wooden carvings, minature paintings, coins, stamps, dolls, costumes, weapons and guns, Hindu statues and modern art and is well worth the trip.

Open: Tue-Sun 10am-1.30pm & 2-5pm. Closed Mondays. Admission: Rs50 for foreigners.

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Here's some of the lovely quaint and picturesque stations you stop at along the way. You do get the chance to stretch your legs for about 10 minutes or so at some of them plus have the opportunity to buy a cup of tea or coffee. More pictures can be found in one of my travelogues.

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The Kalka-Shimla mountain railway is a 2 ft 6 in (762 mm) narrow gauge railway that runs from Kalka at 656m above sea level to Shimla at 2076m. The 96km long track was built so that the British could have transportation to their summer capital, Shimla, which they moved from Calcutta or Delhi. The railway was opened in 1903 and passes through some 102 tunnels.

There are about 4 trains that make the daily journey up to Shimla. The one I caught was the Himalyan Queen which left Kalka at 12.10pm and arrived at about 6pm. The views along the way are pretty breath-taking. You also pass by several small stations which are very picturesque. You get the chance to stretch your legs for 10 minutes or so at some of them and take in a cup of tea or coffee. There are two classes: what looked like bone hard wooden seats and more comfy looking foam padded ones. I took the comfy ones and even then my seat only cost Rs182. The carriages are very small as its a narrow gauge railway with not much room for sitting down yet along large backpacks. There are overhead shelves but they are too small to fit backpacks on.