Shimla
“In Shimla, the mountains whisper secrets of the past and the beauty of the present”
-Unknown
Finally arrived in Delhi after a short flight it was 04.00am not much sleep I’d paid for a meet and greet service at the airport so they whisk you through passport control/customs and checked you in to your onward flight in less than 40 mins well worth the money. I still had 2 hours to wait for my flight to Chandigarh so I sat at Costa Coffee staring into space wishing 8.15 would arrive. Finally on the 90 minute flight all I remember was landing. My guide and driver were ready and waiting.
Chandigarh is the capital of the Punjab and Haryana states. The city was designed by the Swiss-French modernist architect, Le Corbusier, and independent India’s first planned city, known as ‘The City Beautiful’. I really didn’t need to go sight seeing but as I was told it was in my program so who was I to argue. First stop was an unusual Rock Garden, I thought it would be flowers and rocks but it was an innovative (?) collection of rocks displayed in an unusual way man made waterfalls and sculptures all made from discarded scrap material.
Next we went to the Legislative Assembly to view the open hand monument and other buildings plus to go inside to see the assembly hall . The architecture was modern and inside the assembly no photos were allowed there were a 117 assembly seats.
Lunch at Taj hotel not to shabby but I really wanted was to go to bed. Shimla was 111km away but due to the very winding road and the need to climb to 2,500 metre above sea level. It would take nearly 5 hours. Not to worry I had a good sleep.
Finally arrived at the hotel The Oberoi Cecil house an historic hotel cut into the mountain side such grandeur I felt like a was royalty as I arrived. The sky-lit atrium was spectacular. Shimla was the British Raj summer home high in the hills. The hotel had an abundance of teak brought from Burma such a beautiful building and truly luxury. Shimla offers you an insight to British ruled India.
First visit was to the Indian Institute of Advanced Study, also known as the Viceregal Lodge, formerly used by the Viceroy during the summer months until independence.
The building was started in 1888 and they used some advance design by Scottish architect which including wiring for electricity but that had not arrived at Shimla they collected water and stored it in underground water tanks beneath the front lawn. Inside was amazing no photos allowed once again teak from Burma was used extensively. It is 2 km from the centre of town. It had beautiful botanical gardens and the last Raj also lived hear before it became a research centre.
Today, you step aboard the famous Himalayan Queen train. Journey deep into the Himalayan foothills through tunnels and over bridges along the century-old metre gauge line, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the finest feats of engineering in India. I travelled 5 stops ending at Kandaghat station. There was a lot like the toy train in Darjeeling however this was a working train and Darjeeling was more for the tourist.
After non was free so I decided on afternoon tea it was far too big on re-reading the menu it was for 2. I had one of everything then a take home pack for my dinner that night
A visit to the military heritage museum was very interesting seeing how big the Army is (1.45 million).the grounds were beautiful. The lawn was so green and soft no cricket allowed. The display explained the history of the Indian army. One section was interactive where you see a 3D simulation of a battle at the border. There was even a section you could shoot a rifle. I asked guide to take a photo …..sorry not sharing it as it was not ok.
Jakhu temple was up a very narrow winding road 2.5 Km from town the road rises quickly the road is very narrow with cars are on both sides of the road. Not sure if I’d have the nerve to drive. A giant 108-feet-high idol of Hanuman a god with the body of a man and face of the monkey. Both the guide and driver insisted I take my glasses off as the Monkeys that wonder around the temple would try and steal them so I left them in the car I’d like to say I walked up the 331 steps but why walk when you can take the new escalator for 20 rupee ( 35 cents) return journey. Once at the top you are mesmerised by the sheer size of the status which is visible from Shimla town. Inside the temple you can make a wish and receive a small bag of sweets. This is what the moneys want and they are very aggressive to get them. I dropped mine quickly not wanting to be attacked.
A visit to Shimla would not be complete without a visit to the walking street, no need to climb a lift ride will get you there. It reminded me of Darjeeling’s walking street not surprising as the British built both. Many vendors are selling fruit which looked yum. The street was busy with families the sun was out but you couldn’t see the mountains due to the heat haze.
The architecture is amazing how the build into the mountain it takes a long time to build a new house as once the concrete to poured they need to wait 12 months before they can start the build. It really is spectacular.
