Just to clarify and not cause any confusion, Shimla is the summer capital of Himachal Pradesh. India has 2 states that have 2 capitals, Maharashtra and Himachal Pradesh. The winter capital of Himachal Pradesh is Dharamshala.
About Shimla
Shimla is among one of the most stunning hill stations in India. Any visit to Himachal Pradesh is incomplete without visiting this city. Being the capital city, it attracts a hell lot of tourists. It is so damn popular.
Shimla got its name from the Hindu goddess, Shyamala Devi, who is an incarnation of Goddess Kali. One of the reasons why Kali Bari (literally meaning home of Kali) here is quite famous. There are many churches and temples here to visit. The most famous ones are the Jakhu temple and Christ church at the Ridge.
Apart from these, attractions to visit in Shimla are The Mall, Lakkar Bazaar, The Ridge, Tara Devi Temple, State Museum, and Chadwick Falls.
My visit to Shimla
I have been to Shimla multiple times. This place is similar to Puri. Not demographically, but the way it is perceived by everyone. While I was in Bhubaneswar, if anyone came to visit me, a trip to Puri was a must for them. On the same grounds, while I was living in Chandigarh, a visit to Shimla was quite mandatory for everyone who came to visit me.
On basis of my visits to this gorgeous capital city, here are some insights on places to visit and foods to try.
Places to Visit
The Mall: Also, commonly called the Mall Road, this is not the kind of mall you have in your cities. It is an open road with various stores lined up on both sides of the road. You can shop and enjoy delicious food while on the walk.
It is a definite place to visit if you go to Shimla. It has never happened that I visit Shimla and not go to The Mall. Be prepared for the crowd, though.
The Ridge: It is a large open space alongside The Mall where you get to see a beautiful view of the mountain ranges. A perfect place for you to click stunning panoramic views and relax if you are tired of all the walking.
The Christ Church: You cannot miss this church as it is in the heart of Shimla. It is one of the oldest churches in north India and a prominent landmark in Shimla.
Lakkar Bazaar: Another extended point of attraction at The Mall, this market is famous for its variety of wooden decorations, toys, and other useful items like kitchen utensils and walking sticks. The market keeps up with its name (Lakkar -> Wood).
It is a one-stop market to buy souvenirs for your loved ones. Even though I have never bought anything from here, but my friends bought loads and loads of stuff. Hair clips, handcrafted pencils, keyrings, decorative items, and the list goes on.
Jakhu Temple: Located on top of the Jakhu hill, Shimla’s highest peak, this temple is dedicated to Lord Hanuman. You can spot the giant 108 feet-high idol of Hanuman even from the Mall Road.
It is accessible on foot, road, and ropeway. Just a warning, there are many monkeys on the way up, if you choose to go on foot. Keep your belongings close to you. Especially food items and your glasses. I had my glasses snatched away right from my face and the only way to get them back was luring them with snacks.
Food
Himachali Thali: The best way to get acquainted with the culture is through food. So, when in Himachal, you definitely have to try a thali so that you get to have many dishes together on a single plate.
In Shimla, Himachali Rasoi is very famous for its authentic food choices. You will only find Himachali dishes here. Not even coffee or a sandwich. I only tried their Dham Thali and it was very homely.
The place is quite small but the service, food, and people here will make your visit worthwhile.
Siddu: It is steamed bread with the stuffing of your choice. Typically, the stuffing consists of green peas, groundnuts, and paneer. But it differs from place to place.
Momos: Of course!! How can you miss this so-called favorite among all the other dishes? At least for me it a huge must-have. I have not yet seen a stall with non-veg momos. So, not sure if Shimla offers that or not.
Thukpa: It is a Nepalese soup but very commonly loved here in Shimla. Especially during winter times, it helps bring some warmth back. It is a soup with noodles and various vegetables. Some also put in momos which makes it a wholesome meal.
Things to do
Ice Skating: Asia’s oldest open-air ice-skating rink is here in Shimla. It is a naturally formed rink and hence it is not open throughout the year. Weather conditions decide if it is favorable to skate her or not.
Camping: Every hill station acts as an amazing camping ground. With open space areas and a clear sky, Shimla offers perfect conditions to enjoy going camping. You can book from various agencies or even take your own tent and find a suitable location yourself.
Shop at The Mall: I guess this is not something that I need to mention specifically. If you are visiting Shimla, then your first destination will be The Mall and with all the shops lined up, you cannot resist buying a thing or two.
Ride on Toy Train: Oh, the joy of watching mountains from a train ride. It is one of the most scenic train rides you will experience. It runs from Kalka to Shimla, stopping at some stations in between. The speed is so damn slow that you can hop off and get on the train while it’s moving. It might seem like a hectic ride but the view it offers is worth it.
My thoughts
Even though this place is so damn famous and of course one should visit, but I feel like it is a one-time visit place. Shimla is a leisure place where I go when I just want to relax and enjoy some time with my friends and family. Taking a stroll at The Mall while having ice cream, visiting the Christ Church, relaxing at The Ridge, everything here is like that. I always enjoy my time here.
An interesting post and I enjoyed it. Thanks for sharing!
Glad you liked it.
India is definitely on my list to visit when covid restrictions allow! I had never heard of Shimla before, but your post makes me definitely want to visit! Thank you for sharing this great post 🙂
Thank you so much, Sydney. India has a lot to offer so it’s natural that you might have missed some. Hope you get to visit soon. 😊
Thank you for the share, I was planning on travelling to India last year before Covid hit. Its still on the list and now I know more places I could visit.
Oh. I am sure once it’s all back to normal, you will get to visit India and have a blast. 😊
This was a great read, thanks for sharing!
I am glad you liked it, Danielle.
Thank you for your post and photos! I had never heard of Shimla before, but now I want to visit. The food looks delicious and I would love to take the train ride and hike up to the temple.
I am glad I could introduce a new place to you. Just remember that if you choose to trek to Jakhoo Temple, beware of monkeys. They are just too greedy.