days.
Viceregal Lodge &
Botanical Gardens : On
the Observatory Hills is located Viceregal Lodge, which is also
known as "Rashtrapati Niwas". This magnificent building was the
residence of the British Viceroy Lord Dufferin. This lodge was
completed in 1888 and it is said that every brick for the
building was carried by mules. This is a six-story building
and is surrounded by well-maintained gardens and lawns. The
lodge has now been
converted into
Institute of Advanced Study and is further 2-km from
State Museum.
Indian
Institute Of Advanced Studies : Housed
in the former Viceregal Lodge, it was built in 1888. The style
of architecture is English Renaissance, the masonry of the
walling is light blue limestone and the wrought stonework is
done in sandstone in a beautiful light gray tint. It has
magnificent lawns. The entry in the institute is by ticket and
only on Sundays the grounds are open for the public.
The Ridge : The
large open space in the heart of town presents excellent view
of the mountain ranges. Shimla's landmarks - the Neo-Gothic structure of
Christ Church and the new - Tudor Library building is worth
seeing.
The Mall : Most
of Shimla's landmarks are located here. The Mall further joins
the Ridge at the ‘Scandal Point' of Kipling's Shimla, where a
statue of the nationalist leader Lala Lajpat Rai has been
erected.This is the main shopping centre of Shimla with
restaurants. This is especially pleasant in the evenings
when the views and lights are wonderful. The Gaiety Theatre,
which is a reproduction of an old British theatre is a center of
cultural activities. A passenger lift of HPTDC can be taken
from the Cart Road and the Mall. Lakkar Bazaar adjacent to the
Ridge is popular for its wood-crafts and souvenirs.
Prospect Hill : Crowned
by a temple dedicated to Kamna Devi 15-minutes walk from
Boileauganj on Shimla-Bilaspur road. The hill at an altitude
of 2,155m offers a
spectacular view of the area.
Summer Hill : At
an altitude of 1,283m, 1 KM from boilaeuganj.Summer Hill is a
picturesque spot on Shimla-Kalka Railway line offering shady
walks in quiet surroundings. The Father of Nation, Mahatma
Gandhi during his visit to Shimla lived in the elegant Georgian
House of Raj Kumari Amrit Kaur located here. HP University is
also situated over here.
Potter Hill : Situated
at a distance of 1 Km from Summer Hill is very beautiful Picnic
spot with all the natural beauty. Ecological Park is
situated here.
Glenn : Its
about 4 km walk from the Ridge through dense Forests, a
sprightly stream flows through the Glen forests at an altitude
of 1830 meters.It is a secluded picnic spot.
Annandale : Beyond
the Glen is Annandale, another picnic spot. It is covered with
deodar forests and was once the playgrounds of Shimla, where
racing, polo and cricketentertained
the Britishers.Surrounded by deodar trees, this glade has an
ancient temple on the edge.
Elysium
Hill : On
the road leading through Lakkar Bazaar, houses the famous
Auckland House, the former residence of Viceroy Lord Auckland.
It is a well-known girls’ school now. Nearby is the Stirling
Castle, now an orphanage for the Tibetan children and a center
for the Tibetan exiles who have settled locally.
Recreation : Shimla
has three cinema halls, near to Mall and Hindi movies are
played mostly. One can visit the Roller Skating hall on the left
side of the Lakkar Bazaar (open for all) and can do roller
skating on melodious music. Mall has few Billiard Rooms. There
are shops offering variety of Video Games. In the Tourist Season
various entertainment programs are organised such as Summer
Festival in June, Ice skating in Dec-Jan and Winter Carnival.
Most of the time one or the other exhibition or craft fare is
held around mall area.
