Acknowledged as the Queen of the Hills, Shimla
occupies the pride of place among hill resorts in India.
Shimla was the favourite of the British who took to the hills
during the summer months, formally declaring it their summer capital in
1864. Its importance can be gauged from the fact that a railway line
connecting it to Kalka on the plains was laid down way back in 1903, and
still remains a popular way to travel up to the town.
The scenic landscape and agreeable weather had the British building
their summer homes on its pine-covered slopes, many of which have been
preserved and are still in use. Shimla is reputed for its fine
schools and senior academic institutions established before
independence.
Shimla derives its name from its local deity, Goddess Shyamla or
Kali, and a number of temples in and around town are dedicated to her.
Other popular spots around town include Annandale, Junga, Mashobra, Tara
Devi Temple, Chail, Arki, Naldehra, Tatapani and Kufri.
Shimla’s green cover of deodar, pine and oak, deep gorges and snow
draped slopes are inviting enough for a tourist to take to a range of
adventure activities. For treks, there is an amazing range of terrain to
choose from from the very gentle to the most demanding. The snowy
slopes ensure Shimla’s popularity all through the year, as ski and
skating enthusiasts zero down for winter events.
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