SHIMLA - KASAULI (FROM DELHI)

At a distance of 7 km from Shimla Railway Station, Jakhu Temple is an ancient Hindu temple situated on Jakhu Hill in Shimla. It is one of the famous religious Shimla places to visit.

Jakhu Temple is dedicated to the Hindu deity Hanuman, and is located at an altitude of 2455m on Jakhu Hill, the highest point in Shimla. According to mythology, a deadly arrow injured Lord Rama's brother Lakshmana when he was fighting the battle with the demon king Ravana. To save his life, Lord Hanuman came to the Himalayas to get the Sanjeevani herb. Upon reaching the Himalayas, Hanuman couldn't make out as to which herb was the Sanjeevani. So he dug up the entire mountain and flew back to where Lakshmana was lying injured. After Lakshmana was cured, Hanuman went back to place the mountain in its original site. He rested on top of the Jakhu hill for some time. It is said that the top of the hill got flattened due to Hanuman's .....

At a distance of 2 km from Shimla Railway Station and 1.3 km from Shimla Old Bus Stand, Christ Church Shimla is the second oldest church in North India. The majestic appearance of the church and its stunning location makes it one of the top places to visit in Shimla.

The church was designed in neo-gothic style in 1844 by J.T. Boileau but it was consecrated after 1857. The Christ Church is situated on The Ridge where is stands out as one of the prominent landmarks of Shimla. Colonel Dumbleton in 1860 donated the giant round clock that adorns the front facial of the church. The porch was added to the structure in 1873. It started as a shrine to serve the Anglican British community in Shimla and hence is considered as one of the most visited places of worship in the country's most celebrated hill town. It is governed under the diocese of Amritsar belonging to the Churches of North India.

The interior .....

At a distance of 2 km from Shimla Railway Station and 1.2 km from Shimla Old Bus Stand, The Ridge is a large open space located in the heart of Shimla. It is among the most visited Shimla tourist places and among the prime place to visit on a Shimla tour. The Ridge is situated along the Mall Road which is the famous shopping center of Shimla.

Several major places of Shimla like Lakkar Bazaar, Mall, Scandal Point, Jakhu Hill, etc. are connected through the Ridge. The movement of vehicles is strictly prohibited here. The Ridge in Shimla always remains crowded with hundreds of people. Tourists from all over the country visit this awesome place for the view of the sunset.

The Ridge at Shimla also provides the tourists a view of the age old Christ Church built in the Neo-Gothic style of architecture as well as the new Tudor library. The statue of YS Parmar .....

At a distance of 2 km from Shimla Railway Station and 2 km from Shimla Old Bus Stand, Mall Road is the main street and the busiest commercial areas of Shimla. The Mall extends from Barnes court on the eastern side to Vice Regal Lodge on the western side. Shopping in Mall Road is one of the top things to do in Shimla.

Built by the British during the colonial rule in India, the Mall Road was constructed keeping in mind the traffic on this route. Entry of vehicles was banned though cycle rickshaws were allowed. It has been built in a very strategic and planned way. The Mall Road has located a level below the ridge. The offices of the Municipal Corporation, fire service, and police headquarters are located here.

The Mall Road also has all major hotels, restaurants, and recreation centers of Shimla. The Mall Road is full of shops that sell woolen clothes, branded clothes, handicraft items, pottery items, .....

At a distance of 16 km from Shimla Railway Station, Kufri is a small hill station in the Shimla district of Himachal Pradesh. Positioned at an elevation of 2,510 m on the National Highway 22, it is one of the best places for skiing in India, and among the must-include places in Shimla tour packages.

Kufri is quite famous as a ski resort. Kufri derives its name from 'Kufr' which means lake. It is especially popular among trekkers and it is a popular place for adventure sports in Himachal Pradesh. The British discovered it in 1819. As Shimla gained importance, Kufri also began to be recognized as an important place to visit near Shimla as part of honeymoon tour packages.

Kufri is known for its pleasant climate and picturesque beauty. It is popular for its trekking and hiking trails. Kufri is also renowned for other adventurous activities such as skiing, tobogganing (sliding .....

At a distance of 8 km from Shimla Railway Station, 7 km from Shimla Old Bus Stand, Dorje Drak Monastery, also known as TDAC Nyingmapa Monastery is located at Kasumpti, Shimla.

Dorje Drak Monastery in Shimla is a famous tourist place in the city. It is a beautiful Buddhist monastery that displays the prevalence of Tibetan culture in the state. The monks meditating in the monastery is quite a sight to watch. The calm ambience of this place is a delight for people seeking moments of repose. Dorje Drak monastery is run by the Tibetan exiles.

The Monastery is one of the biggest monasteries of the Nyingmapa School. His Highness Kyabje Taklung Tsetrual Rinpoche who is the head of Dorje Drak monasteries in India decided to set up this temple at Shimla after he migrated from Tibet in 1959. The Solid Square and rectangular structure of the monastery is a perfect example of Buddhist architecture in the Himalayan Region. After the destruction .....

At a distance of 2 km from Shimla Railway Station and 3 km from Shimla Old Bus Stand, Vice Regal Lodge also known as Rashtrapati Niwas is located on the Observatory Hills of Shimla, Himachal Pradesh, India. The lodge is one the best places to visit in Shimla city. It was formerly the residence of the British Viceroy of India Lord Dufferin.

The Vice Regal Lodge was designed by British architect Henry Irwin and built in the Jacobethan style during the regime of Lord Dufferin. Its construction was started in 1880 and completed in 1888. Only the local woods like pine and cedar were used to construct this marvel. Vice Regal Lodge is the only building of Shimla that occupies an entire hill by itself. The building now serves as the center for the Indian Institute of Advanced Study (IIAS).

The entrance opening to South leads one to the reception hall which stands adorned by a splendid fireplace and a grand spiraling staircase. The building .....

At a distance of 17 km from Shimla Railway Station, Tara Devi Temple is situated near Shogi village on Shimla - Kalka National Highway. Known for its breathtaking location and beautiful valleys around the hill, the temple is one of the top pilgrimage sites in Shimla.

The Temple is dedicated to Goddess Tara (goddess of stars) and stands on Tara Devi hilltop lies at an altitude of 1851 m above sea level between Shimla and Shoghi. The lush green environs surrounding it give the temple a very peaceful and tranquil atmosphere. It is one of the famous places for sightseeing in Shimla.

According to the legend, Goddess Tara Devi's idol was brought to Himachal Pradesh from West Bengal. The history of this temple dates back to about 250 years when this temple was built here. Hundreds of years ago a king from the Sen Dynasty visited this area. He was in the habit of carrying his family idol around the upper torso .....

At a distance of 3 km from Kasauli Bus Stand, Monkey Point is situated in Air Force Station near the Lower Mall in Kasauli. This is the highest point in Kasauli town, and among the must-include places in Kasauli holiday packages.

Monkey Point is one of the popular tourist places in Kasauli. A temple, dedicated to Lord Hanuman, is situated at the Monkey Point. According to the Ramayana, when Lord Hanuman was returning from the Himalayas after acquiring the Sanjivani Booty, one of his feet touched the hill; that's why the top of the hill is in the shape of the foot. The place is flocked with monkeys and visitors are advised to be careful.

From the top of the hill, tourists can get a complete view of the plains of the Chandigarh region and the river Sutlej flowing through the valleys. Visitors can also spot a snow-covered peak of Choor Chandni, the .....

At a distance of 2 km from Kasauli Bus Stand, Gilbert Trail is one of the most picturesque trails situated close to Sunset Point in Kasauli. It is one of the must-visit places of sightseeing in Kasauli, especially for trekking enthusiasts & nature lovers.

Gilbert Trail is a little-known short hike offering great natural beauty and serenity. The trail is a must-visit place for bird watchers and nature lovers during their Kasauli Trip. Gilbert Trail owes its splendid beauty to the small narrow path, bordering green landscape, hills at the backdrop, sight, and sound of colorful birds, and scenic environment.

The trail starts past the Kasauli Club and ends at the Air Force Station. The track is located off the main road and stretches to almost 1.5 km. In the beginning, the path is wide enough but gets quite narrow. It provides a fantastic view of the .....

At a distance of 1.5 km from Kasauli Bus Stand, Sunset Point is a famous viewpoint in Kasauli which is located at the end of the Upper Mall road. This is a popular tourist location and known for its picturesque sunset view. This is one of the best places to visit in Kasauli.

Sunset point offers amazing views of the horizon and with the changing colors during the sundown. Reaching the place through oak and pine trees is also a memorable experience. Further ahead of the Sunset Point is the Gilbert hill which also offers splendid views.

The best time to visit sunset point is between 5.30 PM to 6.30 PM.

Christ Church, earlier known as Anglican Church, is situated on the Lower Mall Road near Kasauli Bus Stand. It is one of the prominent places of pilgrimage in Himachal, and among the top Kasauli places to visit.

Dedicated to St. Francis and St. Barnabas, the Anglican Church was constructed in the year 1853 by British settlers who stayed in Kasauli. This Church was previously managed by the Church of England till the year 1970 when Churches of North India (CNI) took over the management. The Church is located amidst a picturesque location of pine and deodar trees.

The church is one of the most visited places as part of Kasauli sightseeing packages due to its marvelous neo-gothic architecture. The architecture of the church includes a clock tower with a sundial in the front, the main hall, cruciform .....

The Mall Road is busiest region of the town that offers numerous shopping options. All the activity in Kasauli is centered on the upper and lower Mall roads. The main market of Kasauli is also located on the Mall road. The place remains crowded during the peak season, from April to June and October to January. The Mall stretches between the Christ Church and the Monkey Point.

Tourists can find shops and vendors selling several items, including regional handicrafts, jewellery items, wood and metalwork, shawls, woollen caps, Tibetan carpets and food items at the Lower Mall. Along with the Mall Road, tourists can also visit the Old Bazaar and Tibetan market, which are popular for buying woolen and souvenirs. All the important buildings of the town, along with shopping stores, banks, cafes, commercial establishments and restaurants are situated at the Lower Mall. It also features books shops having a vast collection for vivid readers. The entry of vehicles is strictly restricted in The .....

At a distance of 1.5 km from Kasauli Bus Stand, Sunrise Point is a beautiful viewpoint situated on Lower Mall near Ros Common in Kasauli. This point was formerly called as Hawa Ghar due to the steady air currents throughout the year.

Sunrise point is about 300m from Ros Common. A complete view of sunrise can be experienced from the place. From the sunrise point, visitors can enjoy the panoramic view of the Chandigarh city and the surrounding areas. The rising sun amidst the hills of the Shivalik range adds to the charm of this place.

At a distance of 3 km from Kasauli, Baba Balak Nath Temple is a famous temple situated at Gadkhal in the Solan district of Himachal Pradesh. It is one of the famous places to visit as part of Kasauli Tour.

Baba Balak Nath Temple is a cave temple located on Graner Hill. This cave temple is dedicated to Baba Balak Nath, an ardent follower of Lord Shiva. Locals believe that if childless couples visit and pray here, they will be blessed with children. The first ceremonies of the children are also conducted here. One of the highlights of the shrine is the numerous sculptures of Lord Shiva. It is one of the best Kasauli places to visit for spiritual followers.

People believe that all their wishes are fulfilled in this temple. Every Sunday, the priest of the temple sits on his Gaddi and answers all the queries of the visitors. It is said that when he sits .....

At a distance of 14 km from Kasauli and 18 km from Solan, Dagshai is one of the oldest cantonment towns in the Solan district of Himachal Pradesh. It is situated on top of a 5689 feet hillock on Kalka-Shimla Highway.

Dagshai was founded in 1847 by the East India Company by securing five villages from Maharaja of Patiala Bhupinder Singh. The villages are Dabbi, Badhtiala, Chunawad, Jawag and Dagshai. The new cantonment was named after the largest Dagshai village. The name Dagshai, according to a popular local legend was derived from Daag-e-Shahi. During the Moghul times a Daag-e-Shahi (royal mark) was put on the forehead of the criminals and sent off to Dagshai village.

Under British rule, Dagshai developed into a major cantonment town and also housed a large prison. Construction of the jail began in 1849 and included 54 cells. There is one cell for those who incurred exceptionally harsh punishment. There is no source of ventilation .....