Shimla is typically situated on the south-western ridge of the mighty Himalayas. It is situated at an astounding height of 7,238 feet or 2,206 meters above the sea-level. You find a completely hill-based terrain near the vicinity. It is a city that was built on seven hills. Namely Inverarm Hill, Observatory Hill, Prospect Hill, Summer Hill, Bantony Hill, Elysium hill and the Jakhoo Hill. The highest summit point of Shimla is across the Jakhoo hill. This particular hill is situated at a massive elevation of 2,454 meters or 8,051 feet above the sea-level.
You have forests situated in and around the area. These are pine, deodar, oak, and Rhododendron. You find typical land-slides, especially during the rainy season. Shimla features a subtropical highland climate. The temperatures vary between minus 4 degree Celsius and 31 degree Celsius. Maximum temperatures during the summer season range between 28 and 31 degree Celsius. These months are April, May, and June. June is a month where the monsoons kick-start as well. You find a humid and a moist climate during this month. While June, July, August, and September are peak monsoon months. October is a cool and dry month. November, December, January, and February are the coldest months of the year. Temperatures vary between 10 degree Celsius and minus 4. Snow-fall can be experienced during December and January.
The people of Shimla are warm-hearted and friendly by nature. This is a city untouched by the surge of competitive globalization. The local residents still keep up their old-world charm. They stick to religious traditions and customs. Agriculture and cattle rearing are the mainstay occupations followed by local tribes of Shimla. Rug weaving and carpet weaving also takes the momentum out here.
Music, dance, and active participation in religious fairs or festivals is something that keeps people alive. Music is usually accompanied by instruments like flute, ghunguroo, Ektara Chimta, Ghariyal, etc. Some of the major dance forms include Kayang, Bakayang, Jataru Kayang, Bnayangchu, Shand, Shabu, and Rasa. These are dances exclusively performed at Shimla alone. Hinduism and Buddhism are the major religions of almost 85% of the population. You find quite a number of churches, temples and Buddhist monasteries too in and around Shimla. Maha Shiv Ratri, Dussera, Navratri, Ram Navami, Buddha Purnima, and Christmas are festivals celebrated throughout Shimla with pomp and vigor.
Most areas of Shimla were covered with dense forests during the 18th Century. You could only find the Jakhoo temple along with a few scattered houses. Do you know how the name ‘Shimla’ came into existence? It is the name of Goddess Shyamala Devi, an incarnation of Goddess Kali. That the town received its name as Shimla.
The British East India Company took over the state of Shimla after fighting the Gurkha community at the Anglo-Nepalese War. This happened during the year 1816. The chill weather, torrential rains, and mild summers at Shimla depicted a typical English weather. So the Britishers made Shimla as their prominent summer capital. The Shimla Accord of 1914, the Shimla Conference of 1945 and other important cabinet meetings of the colonial rule took place here. The Mall road, the Ridge and the famous library were mansion buildings built during the colonial era. The Kalka-Shimla railway line was introduced during the year 1903. Today, it is regarded as one of the UNESCO heritage sites. With more than 800 bridges and 100 plus tunnels, it is the jewel piece, the colonial rulers gave to us.
Post-Independence, the city named Shimla, was introduced as the capital city of Himachal Pradesh.
These are some of the most breath-taking and invigorating locales of modern-day Shimla.
Trekking, mountain climbing, and hill cruising are activities you can pursue with full-on vigor and excitement. You have guided nature trail walks organized by home-stay resorts. You can pluck fresh apples from the orchards and taste them to your heart’s content. You can have long morning walks on Ridge Road. Snow-skiing can be done during December or January. Pilgrim visitors can visit the temples surrounding Jakhoo hill. You have something for everyone out here.
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