Shimla The Queen of Hills

“Pleasant weather in summer, snowy hills in winter and diversity of culture are few characteristics of Shimla”. It is among the top visiting places in India, well renowned for Neo-gothic architecture as many of its administrative buildings shows essence of Gothic architecture; these buildings were built during colonial period in India. Shimla is one of the colonial hill stations in India set up on 1st September, 1972, derived name from goddess Shyamala Devi, a Hindu deity. Present day, Shimla is the capital of Indian state Himachal Pradesh, among the top places to see in India.

Brief History of Shimla
Near the 18th it was small peace of land covered with forest, the only civilization was near the Jakhoo temple. In early 19th century during the colonial period, British East India Company took possession over the area by defeating Nepalese with the help of Maharaja of Patiala. British made Shimla their summer capital, and starting taking their all administrative decisions from here.

Shimla Snow Fall

Fast facts and other important numbers of Shimla
Country                India
State                     Himachal
STD Code             0177
Pin Code              171001

Important Phone Numbers of Shimla
Police
SP Shimla-                    +91(0177)-2656535                         
Police Assistance-         +91(0177)2812344,100
Police Control Room-    +91(0177)-2657430
Traffic Police-               +91(0177)2652217
Hospitals 
IGMC-                              +91(0177)-2654092,2803073
Kamla Nehru-                    +91(0177)-2625097
Blood Bank(IGMC)-          +91(0177)-2803073
Ambulance-                       +91(0177)-2804648,102
Blood Bank(DDU)-            +91(0177)-2658940
DDU Hospital-                   +91(0177)-2654071 

Places to Visit in Shimla

Christ Church Shimla: The church is beautiful example of Neo-Gothic architecture. It is one of the olderst Churches in India built in 1857, during the colonial period in India to serve British community of this area.

Christ Church Shimla

Jakhoo Temple: It is one of the oldest temples dedicate to Lord Hanuman, a Hindu deity. It is situated at altitude of Jakhoo hills approximately 2.5 km from ridge. One can have beautiful view of city and hills from the temple.

The Shimla State Museum: It is also the other major attraction in Shimla located at mall road. The museum houses various maintaining, sculpture and coins of ancient time. Some of painting depicts the life of local, and other are of Mughal period. The museum was opened in 1974 built in colonial style. The museum remains open from 10 am to 5pm every day except Monday and all public holidays. The museum was built to preserve rich culture of the state.

Lakkar Bazar Shimla: It is kind of lower bazaar adjacent to ridge. There are many shops in this market place offers wooden article that depicts culture of Himachal Pradesh. There is also a provision roller skating here.

Ridge and Mall Road Shimla:  Ridge is open space near the mall road. Here you can have panoramic view of hills and mountains. You have to visit the place by your feet as vehicles are not allowed here. Every day hundreds of people visit this place from various locations of the country.

Kufri: It is other small hill station near to Shimla that is easily accessible by taxi, bus, and other local transport as it is almost 16 km from the city. The place is best known for winter sports and its small zoo.

Tara Devi Temple: It is the beautiful temple located at the distance of just 11 km from the Shimla. This temple is dedicated to Goddess of Stars on the top hill. It is also the military camp, and also being served as headquarters of Bharat Scouts and Guides.

How to Reach Shimla

By Air: Jubbarhatti Airport is the nearest airport to Shimla located at the distance of just 25Km away from Shimla. The airport has daily flights from Delhi which is an international airport that is further connected with many cities of India and abroad.

By Rail: Nearest airport to Shimla is Kalka railway station, located at the distance of 89 Km. Kalka railway station is great connectivity with Chandigarh railway station and Ambala railway station. Kalka Express, Himalayan Express, Ambala Cant’s UNB are the few trains to Shimla arrives from Kalka railway station.

By Road: Many state bus of Himachal Pradesh Road Transport Corporation leads to Shimla from different cities. Besides this, buses from other cities like Delhi and Chandigarh continuously go Shimla.

Chandni Chowk Historical Places in India

It is quite true that your visit to Delhi is incomplete until you give your stay to its most popular market Chandni Chowk. It is adjacent to world famous Lal Qila (Red Fort) and Fathepuri Mosque. The market is one of the oldest markets falls in the area of Old Delhi, also referred to as Central Delhi. Old Delhi is one of the top places to visit in India, because of its historical importance, as Old Delhi is encircled with numerous historical monuments.

Brief History of Chandni Chowk

Chandni Chowk is the one of the worth seeing historical places in India that dates back to 17^th century, when ‘Jahan Ara’ daughter of ‘ShahJahan’, the great Mughal Emperor who ruled over the India near the 17^th century, laid it; Chandni chowk was developed in 1650 to accomplish this fort. Today, this market has turned into the largest trading center in North India which is divided in various galis (lanes) like Jewelry lane, textile lane, and most popular Paranthe wali gali, (Fried Indian bread lane).

 

Paranthe Wali Gali, Chandni Chowk, Delhi

Famous Shops around the Chandni Chowk Delhi

Old Delhi is surrounded with many popular shops which attract thousands of visitors every, and make notable among the north India tourism sites.

Paranthe Wali Gali: It is one of the lanes in Chandni Chowk, known for its variety of vegetarian paranthas (fried bread).  This lane is consists of few shops engaged in selling paranthas (fried bread). These shops are world famous in Delhi, and have been glorified by published in many local-national newspapers and journals.  They serve pure vegetarian paranthas and do not add onion and garlic in them, as shop owners are ‘Brahmin’, an Indian caste. Varieties of paranthas are made here that includes cauliflower parantha, potato parantha, mix parantha, cheese parantha, almond parantha, cashew parantha etc. This lane was earlier used to known as silverware shop lane, until these bread shops were setup here. First parantha shop was established in 1872, these shops are so famous even country’s first prime minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru also ate parantha here along with Indira Gandhi.

Street Food, Delhi

Ghantewala Halwai Chandni Chowk: It is one of the oldest and most popular confectioner in area who has been catered Mughal Emperors. The shop was setup in 1790 quite famous for its Sohan Halwa, a kind of sweet.

Chaatwala: It is other famous shop at Chandni Chowk , known for its delicious fruit chart. The shop was setup in 1923.

More Shops at Chandni Chowk: There are many shops here which are quite famous among the few are Natraj’s Dahi Bhalle, Gianiji ka Falooda, Meghraj and Sons, Kanwarji Bhagirathmal Dalbijiwallah, Annapurna Bhandar etc.

Places to visit near Chandni Chowk 

Delhi is epicenter of historical places in India, there are many worth visiting places are near the market among the few are

Jain Lal Mandir: It is beautiful Jain temple built in 1656; there is also a bird hospital inside it which was setup in 1929

Sis Ganj Gurudwara Shahib: It is beautiful gurdwara built in 1783, in the memory of 9^th Sikh Guru, Guru Teg Bahadur ji.

Fathepuri Mosque: It is other one of the historical places in Delhi set up by Fathepuri Begum in 1650.

How To Reach Chandni Chowk

Delhi is easily accessible through all mediums of transport (road, air and railway) from any part of India. You can reach here easily through bus, flights and rail, and local transport is easily available to make you reach Chandni Chowk.

Darjeeling Abode of Tea Gardens

Darjeeling is pleasant Indian hill station, falls in the Darjeeling district of West Bengal State. This beautiful hill station was setup as army depository during the 19^th century, when India was under the British rule. Today, it is one of the most popular holiday destinations in India, known for its eternally appealing Himalaya ranges, tea gardens, and most famous Darjeeling Himalayan mountain train.

Tea Plantation in Darjeeling

Culture of Darjeeling

Culture of Darjeeling is to a certain extent different from rest India. Because of variety of ethnic group reside in the region, local festivals like Bhutias, Tamangs, Bhutias, and New Year celebrations are quite famous than Diwali, Eid and rest other north Indian festivals. Many local dialects are spoken in the region, and most of the people are here short Mongolian type Nepalese who are known for their bravery and great skill to use their traditional weapons called khukri- a kind of knife used for hand to hand fight. People from various ethnic groups reside here that includes Khampas, Gorkhas, Newars, Sherpas, Bhutias and Bengalee.

Food of Darjeeling

People of area generally are non-vegetarian eat beef, mutton etc. Most of the people love eating rice, and alcohol is liked by both male and female. Thukpa soup is quite famous soup among the people which is made of vegetable stock and noodles. Many big-small restaurants serve this, Apart from this, Momos, phagshapa, sael roti, gudrunk, churpi , chang are few dishes liked by local people.

Tourist Places around Darjeeling

Darjeeling is blessed with beauty of nature, as it is abode of stunning hills, tea gardens, flora and fauna.

Happy Valley Tea Garden: Darjeeling has variety of flora, generally consists of Oak, Sal and alpine forest that endow with beauty and make the place eye pleasing. Darjeeling is worldwide famous for its tea plantation, Happy valley Tea Garden is located at the distance of just 1km form the town Darjeeling that leaves you in a peace, and away from city’s noise. The tea garden makes available pleasurable view of tea plants; the scene remains unique in its self.

The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway: The experience is unique in its self offers ever interesting mountain train traveling fun. The Darjeeling Himalayan railway is also known as Toy Train which is run between Jalpaiguri and Darjeeling, and gives scenic view of beautiful mountains and hills. It is also UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Darjeeling Himalayan Railway

Tiger Hill: It is other major attraction near Darjeeling that catches thousands of visitors every month. It is located at the distance of just 11 Km from Darjeeling town. Being situated at the altitude of 2590 meters offers spectacular view of Kanchenjunga and Mount Everest-the highest mountains in the world.

St. Andrew’s Church: It is the most famous church in the India, keeps religious importance among the Christians. The church is dedicated to saint of Scotland. This church got damage in earthquake which late reconstructed in 1873.

War Memorial: It was built to remember the martyr who laid down their lives in various wars before the country got independence in 1947.

Observatory Hill: It is the famous hill, popular for its Mahakal Temple that is visited by thousand of Hindu and Buddhists pilgrims every year. This temple is dedicated to lord Shiva, a Hindu deity.

How to reach Darjeeling

By Road: Road is the best medium to reach Darjeeling; many cities of West Bengal are well connected with Darjeeling, what you need to do is you have to reach Gangtok, an Indian city in the state of West Bengal. It is the nearest city to Darjeeling from where you can easily get local transport. One can come here through Flight from Nepal as its capital Kathmandu is just 310 Km from here.

By Train or Rail: Jalpaiguri is the nearest station to Darjeeling that is well connected through major railway link to other cities in India. The phone number of Jalpaiguri railway station are +91 354 2252774/2252555.

By Air: Bagdogra Airport is the closed airport for Darjeeling located at the distance of approximate 95 km. You can reach here through flights from Delhi, Kolkata and Guwahati. The phone number of Bagdogra airport is +91 (0353) 2698456 .