| Shimla |
| Population 163,000 (2001) Altitude 2130 metres Area 25 km2 Languages Hindi, English, Punjabi, Pahari |
| Shimla |
| Shimla is the capital of Himachal Pradesh and is one of the major hill stations in India. Shimla is also an important administrative centre. It has been variously described as the Indian Capua, Mount Olympus and the Abode of the Little Tin Gods. At the other end is Sir Edward Lutyen’s (the architect of New Delhi) snooty remark – "If I had been told it had all been built by monkeys, I would have said, what wonderful monkeys, they must be shot in case they do it again." Shimla and attention have always courted each other. The city spreads over a 12km ridge with just two main roads – The Mall which runs from the far west to the lower eastern side, and the Cart Road which circles the southern part of Shimla. This is where the railway station and the bus and taxi stands are located. The crescent of the wooded Ridge stretches from the lofty 2476 m high Jakhu Hill and Chhota Shimla in the east, to the Observatory (2,148 m) and Prospect hills (2,176 m) in the west. The best time to travel to Shimla is in autumn, when the days are warm and bright and the nights crisp and cool. Summer sees a burgeoning tourist population and the town can become extremely crowded at this time. Permits Shimla is also one of the places where you can get the inner line permit that is required for travel between Rekong Peo and Tabo in the Spiti valley.This permit is issued at the DC office, a huge rambling building just off The Mall about 200m west of Scandal Point. If you find the right office straight away you deserve a medal. If not, just ask anyone in the building where to get an inner line permit and they will direct you to the right place. Permits are issued on the same day and are valid for 15 days. You will need to supply 2 photos, photocopies of the picture and visa page of your passport and a Rs 200 fee. |