Things To Do Shimla

Himachal Pradesh India

2 out of 42 Places to visit in Himachal Pradesh

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Places To Visit In Shimla

Indian Institute of Advanced Studies

The Indian Institute of Advanced Studies located on the Observatory Hill of Shimla is a majestic structure made with Victorian-style architecture. It has now been converted into an educational institution which offers post-doctoral courses. This building was formerly used by the British Government to hold important political meetings.

The vintage British-era architecture coupled with the scenic views of the Himalayan landscape is thoroughly enjoyed by the ropeway cable car from the bottom of the hill to the top. The fantastic Gondola ride rises to 8,054 feet above sea level and covers the distance of half a kilometre in not more than 5-6 minutes, thereby sparing you of the usual human congestion on the roads. The Jakhoo ropeway is one of the four major ropeway attractions in the state, with the other being - Solang Nala at Rohtang, Naina Devi in Bilaspur and Timber Trial in Solan. Each ropeway cabin can carry six people and is one of the safest ropeways in all of India, having been inaugurated recently. The formidable surrounding scenery is bound to leave you breathless. Read More

Set amidst the lush green background of the Shivalik hill ranges, the highest point in Shimla, the Jakhu Temple is an ancient site dedicated to the Hindu god - Hanuman. Jakhu Temple has the world's largest Hanuman statue, which is visible from most parts of Shimla. Overlooking the sister town of Sanjauli, the amazing setting of Jakhoo Temple in the thick of beautiful Deodar trees is complemented with an abundant monkey population in and around the Jakhoo Hill area. It is located approximately 2 kilometres from the Ridge in Shimla's centre, a journey of about 30 minutes. According to the legend that surrounds Jakhu Temple, Lord Hanuman stopped at this spot to take some rest before resuming his search for the Sanjeevani Booti to revive Lord Lakshman. Read More

Kali Bari Temple

Kali Bari Temple of Shimla is an ancient place of worship dedicated to Goddess Kali. It was built in 1845 and is considered of immense religious importance for the devotees. The shrine houses a captivating idol of Goddess Kali beautifully adorned with jewellery and colourful flowers. Located in Shimla, very close to the Shimla City Mall, it is often visited by devotees in large number. The temple premise is kept clean and is well-maintained, and devotees can sit for hours here absorbing the heavenly vibe. Many prefer chanting or meditating here to contemplate issues they are facing as they seek power and energy from Goddess Kali to face and fight them.Locals believe that Goddess Kali lived on Jakhoo Hill which was the location of an ancient temple that was later relocated to Kali Bari by the British. Locals also know Goddess Kali as Goddess Shyamala. The name of the city, Shimla, was derived from the Goddesses' name. A large number of devotees visit the Kali Bari Temple seeking Goddess Kali's blessings and to offer her prayers during the festival of Navratri. The evening aarti at the divine temple should be witnessed. The site of devotees getting immersed in the holy verses chanted by the Kali Bari temple priests is another sight to witness. Read More

The Kalka to Shimla route is best travelled by way of the toy train that runs on a narrow-gauge track and is known for its dramatic views of the hills and surrounding villages. The historic Kalka Shimla Toy train is part of the UNESCO World Heritage List and takes individuals on a ride amongst vast green hills and deodar and pine forests. The journey was carved through the abundance of nature in Himachal Pradesh during the British rule due to which the Kalka Shimla Toy toy train is bound to take you back to a completely different era in history and through one of the most scenic railway journeys in India. The 5 and a half-hour toy train journey provides special services and is must-do when visiting the mountainside of the North. Read More

When it comes down to rugged mountainous views, free-spirited nature and an overall enchanting and wild trip, the Himalayan village of Khara Pathar takes the cake. The small village may not seem often be chosen in favour of its famous neighbour, Shimla and due to the extremely off track road that leads to Kharapathar, but the place's charm is never dimmed. Kharapathar is located at the height of 8770 feet above sea level, making it the highest point on the Shimla route. The staggering height of the village makes the view here a thing of the legends, especially at night when all the scattered houses on the hill are lit up like specks. The cloud-piercing height also gives rise to clear cloudless nights which give individuals an absolutely stunning view of the millions of stars, which is a sight as rare as a shooting star in big cities or towns. Aside from its surroundings, Khara Pathar is best known as a base for several trekking and hiking routes amongst which the most famous one is the Giri Ganga River Trek. This trek is the reason Khara Pathar receives as much as tourism as it does today. The village and the area surrounding it are also often referred to as the 'apple belt of Himachal Pradesh' due to sprawling apple plantations dotting the hills with the reds and greens. Camping and fishing are activities that are also often taken up by individuals visiting the area. Read More

Located on the tiny road adjoining The Ridge in Shimla, Lakkar Bazaar is one of the popular street shopping places famous for the wooden decorative paraphernalia. There are also small shops lined along the market selling woollens, Pashmina shawls and handicrafts, with the Kullu shawls being the prime attraction. Lakkar Bazaar marks the starting point of the climb to popular Jakhoo Peak, and unsurprisingly, one of the most sold items here include wooden walking sticks.The origin of Lakkar Bazaar in Shimla is traced back to a group of Sikh carpenters who shifted to the tiny hamlet from Hoshiarpur and made stunning items from deodar and walnut wood in the area. Read More

Lavi Fair is a unique event held in Rampur Bushahr which is a municipal council in the district of Shimla. It is celebrated every year from 11th to 14th of November and is attended by small and large-scale merchants and businessmen, but is majorly organised to encourage business amongst the locals and the shepherds. Locals celebrate the event to commemorate the Mutual Trade Treaty that was signed between Rampur Bushahr and Tibet. The venue of Lavi fair is on the banks of the mesmerising River Sutlej, and one can get a glimpse of the traditional methods of trade of essentials that include wool, horses, mules, yaks, dry fruits etc. These items are either sold or bartered and the entire experience at the foothills of the Himalayas in November is an exhilarating experience to have. Lavi Fair is also called the International Lavi Trade Fair which has been held in the region for over 300 years. It is considered a legacy of Himachal Pradesh. The rich cultural, social and economic history is celebrated during this fair and hence it is also believed to have high aesthetic significance in Shimla. It is an international fair and people participate in this event with great enthusiasm. The platform is never missed by the traders as it only helps them build and strengthen the bond on a personal level. Read More

Mall Road, Shimla

Known to be one of the busiest and more commercial areas of Shimla till date, this stretch is a mini-world in itself. The Shimla Mall Road truly celebrates the spirit of the hilltown. Apart from houses and hotels, the hills are mostly covered by tourist rush. The charm and beauty of the Mall Road can be enjoyed by groups of friends, families and honeymooners alike. The nearest attractions are Scandal point, the Kali Bari Temple and Gaiety Theatre. The main street is lined up with restaurants, clubs, banks, shops, post offices, and tourist offices. The stores on the Mall Road are famous for their woollen clothes and exclusively handcrafted works, apart from the usual books and jewellery. The wooden furniture shops are particularly well-known; so do not forget to shop for some exquisite wooden articles and antiques. Vehicles, except emergency ones, are not allowed on this street, which makes the Mall Road in Shimla an ideal place to stroll around in the evenings, without being concerned about the traffic. Other than shopping, Shimla Mall Road is also famous for its variety of cafes and the delicious delicacies that they serve. In fact, people here are spoilt for choice when it comes to choosing a place to have a meal at. Read More

Naldehra is a small enchanting hill station in Himachal Pradesh, located just around 22 km from Shimla. It is perfect for tourists looking for natural scenic beauty and an offbeat location. Naldehra is famous for its greenery, golf course and plain view of the mountains filled with pine, cedar and deodar trees. With a backdrop of the mountains and the Sutlej River flowing through, Naldehra is breathtaking. Naldehra did not come to notice until the start of the 21st century when Lord Curzon, the British Viceroy of India, discovered the place and was completely mesmerized by its natural beauty. Tourists can enjoy a wonderful afternoon in the lush green valley or take a horse ride to the Naldehra golf course, India's most famous golf course. Naldehra is a must-visit place for tourists visiting Shimla. Read More