SHIMLA TRAVEL GUIDE

At a distance of 1 km from Shimla Railway Station and 190 m from Shimla Old Bus Stand, Baba Bhalku Railway Museum was inaugurated on 7th July, 2011 as a tribute to the man who guided the construction of the rail line with his super natural powers.

Bhalku worked as a labourer on the rail line and when there were problems in getting the right alignment of the track, he just guided the engineers and marched ahead of them. In fact, H.S. Harington, the agent of the Railways highly appreciated the supernatural powers of the man and the rail line took exactly the path shown by Bhalku, which made the project possible.

The museum has some very interesting parts from the pages of history in the form of a 1930 lost property register. The register has details of the lost properties like bags, umbrellas, caps and coats left in the waiting rooms of the station or the train. The museum also has on display several items and parts used in the trains dating back to early 20th century. An interesting .....

At a distance of 1 km from Shimla Railway Station and 1.5 km from Shimla Old Bus Stand, Gorton Castle is one of the most striking buildings of the British Empire in Shimla.

Gorton Castle is a three storey Heritage Building in Shimla built in 1904. This was designed and constructed in a Gothic style; the foundation of the building was laid by Sir Swinton Jacob, a renowned British architect. Sir Swinton Jacob was working as a consulting engineer in Jaipur. He earned fame for his masterpiece architectures and also produced some fine work ''in the Indo-Sarcanic style, which combined Hindu, Muslim and Western traditions'', including the Lalghar Palace in Bikaner and the Albert Hall in Jaipur. He was also responsible for the original red sandstone buildings of St Stephen's College at Kashmir Gate in Delhi.

Gorton Castle is positioned on the hilltop, spread across an area of 400 ft x 100 ft. The three storey building comprises 125 small and big rooms. Gorton Castle is encircled by .....

At a distance of 1 km from Shimla Railway Station and 2 km from Shimla Old Bus Stand, Shimla State Museum is situated at the top of Mount Pleasant. Also known as Himachal State Museum and Library, it was built in the year 1974. The Himachal State Museum is a colonial building that was built with the aim of preserving the state's rich cultural and archaeological artifacts. The colonial style building amidst marvelous lawns in itself is an inspiring sight. It is one of popular Shimla tourist places. It gives you an in depth view of the city's glorious past.

Himachal State Museum has a rich display of the cultural, artistic and archaeological heritage of Himachal Pradesh. The various galleries in the museum are Pre-Historic Gallery, Wood-Carving Gallery Archaeology Gallery, Wall Painting Gallery, Coin Gallery, Pahari Painting Gallery, etc.

The lifestyle and culture of the people of the Himalayas are reflected in the paintings. Rajasthani and Mughal paintings are awe-inspiring. .....

At a distance of 1.5 km from Shimla Railway Station and 1 km from Shimla Old Bus Stand, Gaiety Heritage Cultural Complex is situated on Mall road, Shimla. The Gaiety Heritage Cultural Complex is a heritage building and was a centre for all the theatrical, cultural and literary events of the British. The complex is a Government building currently and renovated recently to conserve the building and protect its beauty.

Gaiety Heritage Cultural Complex is a significant tourist hot spot opened on 30th of May in 1887. The Complex is a Gothic Victorian style theatre designed by renowned architect Henry Irwin which also happens to be the oldest cultural complexes in the state of Himachal Pradesh.

Initially, it was a five-story building with a theatre, ballroom, armoury, police office, bar and galleries. After nearly two decades from its date of establishment, it was found that the building was structurally unsafe. It was partially demolished but the Gaiety theatre remained untouched.

The .....

At a distance of 1.5 km from Shimla Railway Station and 2.5 km from Shimla Old Bus Stand, The Gurkha Gate is one of the oldest Gateways of Shimla. It is the main gateway to the historical Vice Regal Lodge. The Lodge has a historic significance. It served as the residence to the Viceroy of India during the British rule and now houses the Indian Institute of Advanced Study.

The Gurkha Gate is situated on Chaura Maidan Road in Shimla. The gate was built as a tribute to the Gurkhas in honour of their bravery and loyalty to the British Empire. Lady Curzon, the then Vicereine was so impressed by their heroism that she admired the sacrifice of the Gurkha soldiers as a contribution to the country. It was she who conceived the idea of building a gate in their name and got it implemented.

The building of the stone structure offers an interesting view to the visitors. The gateway building had timber-framed Dhajji houses that were built for soldiers. The carvings on this imposing gate .....

At a distance of 1.5 km from Shimla Railway Station and 2.5 km from Shimla Old Bus Stand, Himalayan Bird Park is also known as Himalayan Aviary is situated at an altitude of 2210 m above sea level, near Vice Regal Lodge, Shimla. It is a famous among Shimla places to visit, especially for bird lovers.

The park is a wonderful place for bird watchers and nature lovers. The park is blessed with natural beauty and different types of plants and trees. The Himalayan Bird Park boasts of an impressive variety of birds from the Himalayan region such as the Himalayan Monal, peafowls, pheasants and peacocks. The large collection of birds including rare species attracts many nature and bird lovers.

It is a wonderful place contains wide variety of birds which are exclusive in this region and that one would not find them anywhere else. The summers are the ideal time to visit the park as the temperatures here never exceed above 25°C. Winters are cold and the place fully gets covered with .....

At a distance of 2 km from Shimla Railway Station and 1 km from Shimla Old Bus Stand, Scandal Point is located to the western edge of Shimla where The Ridge and Mall Road converge. The spot is considered to be the highest point of the Mall area.

According to the history Bhupinder Singh, the Maharaja of Patiala fell in love with the daughter of the viceroy. It is believed that the king and viceroy's daughter eloped from this point way back in 1892. Therefore, he was banned from entering Shimla. Later on, he founded the new summer capital of Chail for himself. The intersection between the Mall and the Ridge from where they eloped was named Scandal Point.

The most observable feature of this place is a statue of Indian freedom fighter Lal Lajpat Rai. Scotland Church is also one of the attractions of this place. The famous Alfa restaurant having some mouthwatering Indian food as well as western food, the picturesque view of the valley and the surrounding milky White Mountain peaks .....

At a distance of 2 km from Shimla Railway Station and 1.6 km from Shimla Old Bus Stand, Lakkar Bazaar is a shopping place famous for its wooden handicrafts in Shimla.

Lakkar Bazaar is also known as the wood bazaar is the marketplace and one of the special attractions in Shimla. Lakkar Bazaar is known for wooden toys made by a small group of Sikh carpenters who settled there a century ago from Hoshiarpur. This is the best place for the people who want to buy wooden goods at a cheaper price than in other cities. Wooden walking sticks are quite famous here.

The Bazaar is also popular for its Kullu Shawls and dry fruits. Lakkar Bazaar has all the great buys that a tourist is looking for. The shops in Lakkar Bazaar also sell handmade shoes, woolen caps and dolls which are unique in its kind.

The Lakkar Bazaar is the base from where the trek starts to the Jakhu peak. The market area also has an ice skating rink which is one of the special attractions in Lakkar Bazaar.

At a distance of 3 km from Shimla Railway Station, 3 km from Shimla Old Bus Stand, Chapslee Palace is situated at an altitude of 7100 ft above sea level, between Lakkar Bazaar and Longwood next to Auckland School, Elysium Hill, Shimla.

Chapslee, formerly the summer residence of the late Honorable Raja Charanjit Singh of Kapurthala, is now a heritage Hotel. Chapslee Palace in Shimla was originally built in 1835 and acquired by Lord Auckland then Governor General of the East India Company. Raja Charanjit Singh of Kapurthala purchased the estate after the demise of Sir Arthur Ker. He converted it to his summer residence and refurnished the interiors. Raja Charanjit Singh died in 1970. Kanwar Ratanjit Singh, the grandson of the Late Raja Charanjit Singh of Kapurthala is the present owner. He started a school known as Chapslee School on the premises in 1973 and converted the estate to a hotel in 1976. Chapslee was one of the first heritage hotels in India.

The hotel was opened .....

At a distance of 3 km from Shimla Railway Station and 4.2 km from Shimla Old Bus Stand, Kamna Devi Temple also known as Creeda Devi Temple is situated on Prospect Hill lies at an altitude of 2200 m. The Kamna Devi temple takes about a 10 minutes walk from Boileauganj located on the Shimla-Bilaspur national highway.

The presiding deity of Kamna Devi temple is Goddess Kali, an incarnation of Goddess Durga and was built by Rana of Junga. It is believed that Goddess Kali fulfills the desires of all her devotees who travel up the hill and offer prayers in the temple. This temple is visited by countless devotees every year.

The temple was surrounded by tall deodar and pine trees. The temple offers glorious view of the surrounding hills. It is also an ideal base for trekkers, nature lovers and bird watchers.

The picturesque view of Tara Devi and southern Shimla from here is mesmerizing. People can also indulge in adventurous activities like trekking and rock-climbing at the .....

At a distance of 4 km from Shimla Railway Station and 5 km from Shimla Old Bus Stand, Image Art Gallery or Photo Art Gallery is located in the scenic location of Potter's Hill, Shimla.

The gallery is located near the summer hill in a beautiful preserved jungle. It is a popular tourist attraction of Shimla. The gallery is a famous place where the beauty, culture, flora and fauna of Himachal Pradesh can be explored.

The gallery exhibits 20,000 photographs of the state taken by the famed photographer Inder Pal. The gallery also includes amazing photos of the heritage and historical buildings of the state. The theme of the photographs on display varies from nature to wildlife and travel to fine art. Some of the highlighting works are Bhimakali Temple Shimla, Christ Church, Vice Regal Lodge and Chandratal Lake Shimla.

Tourists can take photographs inside the gallery but use of flash is strictly prohibited.

Timings: 9 am - 5 pm on Weekdays and 9 am - 6:30 pm on .....

At a distance of 4 km from Shimla Railway Station, 4.5 km from Shimla Old Bus Stand and 1 km from Summer Hill Railway Station, Summer Hill is a small town on the outskirts of Shimla. It is a well know sightseeing place in Shimla.

The Summer Hill is an extremely beautiful tourist spot situated at an altitude of 1283 m above sea level. It is located on the way of Shimla to Kalka and is part of the seven-hill cluster.

The famous Georgian Mansion of Raj Kumari Amrit Kaur is located here. Once, Mahatma Gandhi during his visit to Himachal Pradesh University stayed at this Georgian House which stands adorned with its remarkable architecture.
The Summer Hill is a perfect place for taking a leisurely walk amidst the tranquility of Mother Nature. The Summer Hill is situated in between groups of green hilly trees like the pine and deodar. The splendid view of the snow covered mountain terrains is simply unforgettable. The Summer Hill of Shimla is also known as the Potter's Hill as .....

At a distance of 5 km from Shimla Railway Station, Chadwick Falls is one of the best waterfalls in Shimla region.

The Chadwick Falls is located at an altitude of 1586 m above sea level and the water cascades down a deep gorge at a height of 86 m. This fall can be approached through Summer Hill. Approach road is available and vehicles can get close to the entry point of waterfall from where about 10 minutes walk through thick vegitation will lead to the waterfalls.Trekking to the falls from Summer Hill is also an exciting experience.

The water in Chadwick falls is very cold, chilly and refreshing as it flows down with forceful rapidness from the Himalayas. The best time to visit the Chadwick Falls is after monsoons during the months of July to October, when the water level is increased drastically. This is the time when the Chadwick Falls looks stunning like scattered crystals. The sight of this sparkling waterfall is a treat to the eyes. The fall is encircled with thick green .....

At a distance of 5.5 km from Shimla Railway Station and 6.4 km from Shimla Old Bus Stand, Shri Sankat Mochan temple is situated at Taradevi on the Kalka- Shimla National Highway 22. It is situated at an altitude of 975 m.

Sankat Mochan Temple is mainly dedicated to Lord Hanuman. The temple is located in a picturesque site and is visited by a large number of devotees throughout the year. This is a perfect place for meditation as it offers a calm and peaceful atmosphere to the devotees visiting this temple. The background of the temple consists of the imposing and lofty Himalayan ranges.

Baba Neeb Karori Ji Maharaj came to this beautiful place in 1950 and discovered the perfect spot for meditation. After staying here for 10 days, he desired that a temple dedicated to Lord Hanuman should be built here. Baba's faithful devotees included the governor of Himachal Pradesh, who along with Bhagvan Sahai took up the task of building the temple and fulfilling their Guru's wish.The temple .....

At a distance of 8 km from Shimla Railway Station, 8 km from Shimla Old Bus Stand and 7.5 km from Kufri, Green Valley lies on National Highway 22, on the way to Kufri from Shimla.

It is surrounded by verdant hills that are covered with dense forests of pine and deodar. Enjoy a breath-taking view here as you look around at a huge expanse of green forests. You will also find some local shacks and markets here. Sometimes rare animals like Yaks can be seen wandering and grazing here. It is a popular point where people come to witness and enjoy the picturesque lush green environs.

Green Valley is one of the most beautiful places in Shimla. It is noted for its elite beauty. The place is ideal for photographing as it offers some of the most mesmerizing sights that nature has to offer. Verdant hills with lush green forests and the backdrop of distant snow-capped Himalayas demand a snapshot.

At a distance of 13.5 km from Shimla and 1.5 km from Mashobra Bus Stand, Carigneno is situated at an altitude of 7700 ft (2149 m) above the sea level.

This beautiful place is well known for its beautiful Italian Villa which was built by Chevalier Peliti. He named this site after the Craignano Town in Italy. The villa is situated on a huge hillock and is surrounded by many small streams. The villa is built of wood and is surrounded by a dense forest of oak and pine trees. It has spacious lawns, night lamps and stone benches that represent the architectural style of the colonial period. From the lawns one can see the beautiful valley below and the mountains beyond.

Carigneno is a lovely picnic place surrounding with many type of flowers, the fruit research station is also nearby has apple orchids and many types of beautiful flowers.

The site is also known for the world's highest water lift situated at a height of around 7657 ft. The water lift was constructed by the .....

At a distance of 20 km from Shimla and 6 km from Kufri, Fagu is the ski resort situated in Himachal state. It is well known for its swaying green fields with the snow covered Himalayas at its backdrop. Fagu surprises vacationers with its splendor, charm and serenity. It is one of the secluded snowy retreats in Himachal state. It is one of the best ski resorts in Shimla and also among the top places for skiing in Himachal state.

Fagu is a famous site adventure sports in Himachal state. It is situated on the Hindustan Tibet Road at a height of about 2500 m above sea level. In Fagu, you can be surrounded with clouds all over. It is a small village with only few small typical shops selling essential, nothing else. But the place is dotted with Apple gardens, terraced fields and potato fields etc.

The town is entirely surrounded by greenery and is rich in flora and fauna. Fagu is a perfect place .....

At a distance of 25 km from Shimla and 13 km from Mashobra, Naldehra is a picturesque hill station situated at an altitude of 2044 m above sea level. This is one of the top Tourist places in Himachal.

Naldehra is famous for its beautiful natural surroundings including lush green valleys and magnificent mountain peaks and fresh water springs. Naldehra derives its name from Nag and dehra meaning the abode of the King of Snakes. The Mahunag temple dedicated to the Serpent Lord is one of the most well known religious shrines of the region.

The most famous attraction of Naldehra hill station is the 18 holes golf course that is considered to be the most challenging golf course. The golf course was built under the supervision of Lord Curzon, the then Viceroy of India in the early 1900s. Initially a 9 Hole Course, it was expanded to 18 holes. Maintained and run by Himachal Tourism, it is well groomed golf course and perhaps one of the finest .....

At a distance of 38 km from Shimla, Arki is a small town situated at 4100 ft above sea level in the Solan district. Arki Fort is one of the famous historical sites near Shimla.

Arki was the former capital of the ancient hill-state of Baghal, which was founded by Raja Ajai Dev, a Panwar Rajput during 1660-65 AD. The state was founded around 1643 and Arki was declared its capital by Rana Sabha Chand in 1650. The Arki Fort was built between 1800 and 1805 by Rana Prithvi Singh, a descendent of Sabha Chand. The fort was captured by the Gurkhas in 1806. Rana Jagat Singh, the ruler of Baghal had to take refuge in Nalagarh. The Gurkha General Amar Singh Thapa made use of Arki to further the advances in Himachal Pradesh, from 1806 to 1815. Rana Jagat Singh got back the control of Arki afterwards.

The fort offers both the historical legends and artistic creations to the tourists. Rana Shiv Sharan Singh laid down the foundation of the famous Diwankhana .....

At a distance of 38 km from Shimla, Durga Mata Mandir is located at Arki.

The temple of Durga is located on the main market of Arki and is dedicated to Goddess Durga. This Durga Temple is one of the highly revered sites in Shimla. The temple is situated parallel to the Lutru Mahadev Temple between Batal Ghati and Arki on the Kunihar-Solan Road.

This Temple is flocked by thousands of Hindu devotees all through the year. The blessings and happiness you will receive after paying homage to Goddess Durga. Nature enthusiasts will surely fall in love with the location of this shrine, surrounded by lofty mountains and awe-inspiring landscapes.

The temple was constructed in Shikhara Style of architecture, the interior and exterior both represent the greatness of the shrine. It is believed that by visiting this temple once, the goddess will eliminate all your sufferings and release you from all kinds of fear, filling your life with happiness and prosperity.

Navaratri .....

At a distance of 43 km from Shimla, Chail is a Hill Station located at an altitude of 2250 m above sea level in Solan district of Himachal Pradesh. This is one of the popular places to visit in Shimla and also one of the top Himachal places to visit.

According to the History, Maharaja Bhupinder Singh of Patiala incurred the wrath of the Commander in Chief Lord Kitchener, who banned his entry into the British summer Capital of Shimla in 1891. This incensed the Maharaja and he vowed to build a new summer retreat for himself. So he rebuilt the place Chail as per his requirements.

The picturesque hill station located amidst scented forests of pine and gigantic deodars. Chail is built on three hills, the palace is on Rajgarh Hill, the Residency Snow View once occupied by British resident is on Pandhewa Hill and on the third hill Sadh Tibba where Chail is situated. Overlooking Satluj Valley, .....

At a distance of 43 km from Shimla and 1.5 km from Solan Railway Station, Shoolini Devi Temple is one of the famous temples located in Solan.

The Shoolini temple is dedicated to Goddess Shoolini Mata an incarnation of Goddess Durga. The town of Solan was named after the Shoolini Devi. Shoolini Mata Temple is one of the prime attractions of Solan. The temple is said to be built on the remains of an older temple believed to precede the town of Solan. The shrine is surrounded by wide views of beautiful landscapes thus creating a magical environment for devotees. The temple looks beautiful in the night when it is completely illuminated and is crowded on holidays and festivals.

Shoolini Devi Temple is famous for the annual Shoolini Utsav celebrated on the last week of June every year. The festival and fair which lasts for 3 days attracts thousands of tourists and devotees from the state. Also known as Solan Fair, the highlight of Shoolini Devi Utsav at Solan are dancing, singing .....

At a distance of 46 km from Shimla and 12 km from Kuthar, Gurkha Fort is located on a small hillock with an altitude of 4500 in Subathu, near Kasauli in Solan district of Himachal Pradesh.

The Gurkha Fort is bounded by a dense forest and is connected to Parwanoo by National Highway 22. The Parwanoo town serves as a regimental centre for the Gurkha Rifles and has several buildings reminiscent of the British Era. The Subathu Gurkha Fort is now under the Indian Army's 14 Gurkha training centre. The fort still houses some cannons that are believed to be 181 years old. These cannons because of their historic value are the center of attraction for the visitors.

According to the history, the fort was built in the beginning of 1900 AD by the Gurkha Army Chief Amar Singh Thapa to fight against the British Army. There are various tales linked with this fort like one story states that the Gurkhas captured this fort while it was in the custody of Patiala King.

Subathu is considered .....

At a distance of 47 km from Shimla and 2 km from Chail, Sidh Baba Ka Mandir is a temple dedicated to the Hindu saint named Sidh Baba. This is a revered religious site in Chail. This shrine is located atop a hill between Rajgarh and Pandhawa.

According to the History, Sidh Baba ka Mandir was built in the year 1891 by Maharaja of Patiala Bhupinder Singh in Chail where he was about to build his Palace as his summer residence when he was exiled from Shimla by Lord Kitchener.

One day, Sidh Baba came in Maharaja's dream and asked him to stop the construction of the Palace. Sidh Baba informed that he used to perform meditation on that hill and was cremated there. The saint also said that the hill is pious and not suitable for residential purposes. Subsequently, the king stopped the construction of his Palace and ordered to start the construction of temple in the honor of the saint.

Timings: 7 am to 6 pm.

At a distance of 51 km from Shimla, Grave of Barog is located in Barog Village of Solan District, Himachal Pradesh.

Dating back to 20th century, the foundation of narrow gauge Kalka-Shimla Railway was laid by Colonel Barog as per the orders of government. He commenced digging the tunnel from both sides of the mountain, which is quite common as it speeds up construction. While constructing the tunnel, some errors in the calculation occurred, due to which two ends of tunnel did not meet. As a punishment, he was fined by the British Government. He was feeling so disgraced by the entire incident that he committed suicide. His body was buried at a place close to the incomplete tunnel and thus this area was named after him.

It is believed that according to the design laid out by Barog, this tunnel would have been the world's longest of its kind, if successfully constructed. People from places near and far come here to witness the grave and its scenic surroundings. The Grave of .....

At a distance of 52 km from Shimla and 33.5 km from Solan, Kuthar Fort is located in Solan district of Himachal Pradesh. Kuthar Fort is about 800 years old and it is one of the main places to visit near Solan.

Kuthar Fort was originally built by the Gurkha Kings 800 years ago when they ruled over this part of the land. Some portions of the fort are 80 years old. Sprawling over an expanse of 52.8 sq km, this fort features beautiful gardens, fresh-water springs and ancient temples within the complex. Fresh water springs flowing within the fort are a rare sight that every visitor admires. You can also visit several scenic attractions like Kunihar, the Gurkha fort of Subathu and the hill station of Kasauli.

Situated at an altitude of about 1300 m, the Kuthar fort is set at the hilltop of the Kuthar Mountains and commands a magnificent view of the snow-capped peaks of Shimla, Subathu fort and a wide range of Himalayas. The fort exhibits impressive .....

At a distance of 62 km from Shimla, 47 km from Kufri and 7 km from Hatu Peak, Narkanda is a well known hill station in Himachal Pradesh and is situated at an attitude of 8100 ft on India - Tibet road (NH - 22). It is one of the popular ski resort in Himachal and also a well known Tourist places in Himachal Pradesh.

Narkanda is a hill station located between the valleys of River Sutlej and Giri. it is a well known destination for adventure in Himachal state. iIt is a place of natural beauty with scenic views of snow-clad mountains. It commands a unique view of the eternal snow line, the inviting apple orchards and dense forests.

Narkanda is famous for Skiing and Winter sports. During winter, the slopes come alive with skiers. The skiing at Narkanda was started in 1980 and since then HPTDC is conducting skiing courses every year. Today it is one of the most well known ski resorts in India.

Narkanda .....

At a distance of 68 km from Shimla, 54 km from Kufri and 7 km from Narkanda, Hatu peak is located at an altitude of 3400 m above sea level and one of the highest peaks in Shimla Region. This place is also famous for skiing activities in the winter.

Hatu Peak is surrounded by Himalayan Ranges and it is one of the most fascinating attractions of Narkanda town. For the rulers of the erstwhile hill states, Hatu Peak was of great strategic importance because of its commanding position. It was accepted as a boundary between the states. The Gorkhas captured it early in the 19th century and established a fort at the top of Hatu Peak. Later, the British dismissed them from the Hatu heights.

The Hatu Peak is blessed with Hatu Mata's temple, where you can see one of the best wooden carvings in the new temple being constructed. The Peak has a beautiful hillock on top of it from where you can look around in all four directions and observe .....

At a distance of 77 km from Shimla, 62 km from Kufri and 14 km from Jubbal, Kharapathar is a small village situated at an altitude of 8,770 ft. This place is known for its scenic beauty and several trekking trails.

Kharapathar derived its name from a huge egg shaped rock. Kharapathar is a perfect leisure destination. It is surrounded by apple orchards and lush green forest.

Kharapathar is a hotspot for tourists because of its natural beauty and picturesque landscape in Shimla district. Kharapathar's lush green slopes together with apple orchards, wide views, excellent walk and hike trails make this a perfect leisure. Visitors can also enjoy delicious food, including local dishes at the food stalls.

The source of River Giri Ganga is just 7 km away from here. The trekking trail to Giri Ganga is an enjoyable one through thick deodar forest.

At a distance of 83 kms from Shimla and 51 kms from Solan, Habban Valley is situated at an altitude of 6770 ft above sea level.

The Habban Valley is surrounded by forests of deodar and is located in the hills of Sirmaur; a lush green village besides one can also find huge orchards of apples and peaches surrounding the valley. The wildlife consists of peacocks, deer, tiger, kastura and ghol. Though the climate is friendly and pleasant all round the year, it occasionally snows in Habban Valley. There are also various trails within Habban Valley which include a 7 km trek to Banalidhar or take a longer trek (15 km) to Churdhar.

Walking in the dense deodar forest of Habban is thrilling and rejuvenates mind and body. The silence that prevails around is just perfect to enjoy the beauty of the valley. There is also one temple of the most revered Shrigul Devta. It is located at Shiya village around 10 km from Habban. The temple has an interesting traditional structure built mainly of .....

At a distance of 90 km from Shimla & 76 km from Kufri, Jubbal is a hill town located on the banks of the River Pabbar in Himachal Pradesh at an altitude of 1901 m above sea level. It is famous for apple orchards and the Jubbal Palace. Jubbal is one of the wellknown Places to visit in Himachal.

The princely state of Jubbal was founded in 1800. The place offers a panoramic view of the natural landscape. It was occupied by Nepal from 1803 to 1815 and by the British from 1832 to 1840. The rulers who belonged to the Rathore clan took the title of Rana. The last ruler Rana Baghat Chandra took the title of Raja in 1918. Jubbal was founded by King Karam Chand and was merged with the Indian Territory on the 15th of April, 1948 during the reign of King Digvijay Singh.

Jubbal State had an area of 288 square miles and was famous for its dense forests of 'deodar' trees. The hill station has managed to keep alive its princely elegance through .....

At a distance of 90 kms from Shimla & 76 km from Kufri, Jubbal Palace is among the most prominent places to see in Jubbal. The Palace situated at an altitude of 7000 ft above sea level is one of the popular heritage sites in Himachal state.

Designed by a French architect in 1930, the Palace architecture is a blend of Chinese, Indian and European styles. The Jubbal Palace is colored in cream hue and is admired with sloping roofs and red chimneys. The lower portion of the Palace known as Rana's abode consists of sandstone and is noteworthy for the vast stacks of deodar timber used in its structure. The modern wing of the Palace has an Indo-European design and feel with convoluted wooden ceilings and the works. The deodar wood from the surrounding forest was used for the construction of the Palace structures. Another beautiful aspect is the stunning display of the collection of ancient guns used by the royal families of Jubbal. In the interiors, .....

At a distance of 97 km from Shimla & 84 km from Kufri, Hatkoti Temples are located in Hatkoti village of Jubbal. The Hatkoti temples are a group of temples located on the scenic banks of River Jabbar. Hatkoti is one of the popular pilgrimage places in Himachal Pradesh.

The Hatkoti Temple is an abode of goddess Mahishasurmardini, an incarnation of Goddess Durga. The statue of the goddess is 1.2 m in height and made of eight precious metals. The idol depicts the goddess with ten arms, riding a lion, carrying weapons and slaying the demon Mahishasura. There is an inscription on both sides of the idol that no one has been able to decode so far.

The complex also has a separate temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temples also boast of five idols, which ideally represent the five Pandava brothers of the Mahabharata period. These idols are arranged in accordance to their size with the first one being the largest.

According to the history, .....

At a distance of 165 km from Shimla, Bhimakali Temple is located at Sarahan in Himachal Pradesh. The famous Bhimakali Temple in Sarahan is a very popular pilgrimage site in Himachal state. This temple is 800 years old and it is regarded as one of the 51 sacred Shakti peethas. This temple is dedicated to Goddess Durga known locally as Bhimakali.

According to one legend, during Daksha Yagna, the Ear of Sati Devi fell here when Lord Vishnu cut the pieces of her body carried by heartbroken Lord Shiva. Other legend states that this area was under the rule of Demon called Banasura, the great grandson of king Prahlad an ardent devotee of Lord Vishnu. Due to Usha-Anirudh affairs Lord Krishna fought here with him and in this battle Lord Siva stood against the former. The legend goes that head of the defeated king Banasura was buried in front of the entry gate now marked as a raised platform to the first courtyard. After Banasura, Pradyumna son of Lord .....