Dev Bhoomi Himachal

Himachal Pradesh

 Himachal Pradesh is a state in Northern India. It is spread over 21,495 sq mi (55,673 km²), and is bordered by the Indian states of Jammu and Kashmir on the north, Punjab on the west and south west , Haryana and   Uttar Pradesh on the south , Uttarakhand on the south-east and by the Tibet Autonomous Region on the east. The literal meaning of Himachal Pradesh is Region of snowy mountains.

Himachal Pradesh was anciently known as Dev Bhumi (The Abode of Gods). The Aryan influence in the region dates back to the period before the Rigveda. After the Anglo Gorkha War, the British colonial government came into power. It was initially part of Punjab, except the Siba State of Punjab Hills which was under the rule of Maharaja Ranjit Singh until 1857. In 1950 Himachal was declared as a union territory but after the State of Himachal Pradesh Act 1971, Himachal emerged as the 18th state of the Indian Union. Himachal has many prestigious boarding schools. Hima means snow in Sanskrit. It was named by one of the great Sanskrit scholars of Himachal Pradesh, Acharya Diwakar Datt Sharma

Himachal Pradesh has one of the highest per capita incomes of any state in India. Due to the abundance of perennial rivers, Himachal also sells hydro electricity to other states such as Delhi, Punjab and Rajasthan. The economy of the state is highly dependent on three sources: hydroelectric power, tourism and agriculture.

Hindus make up 95% of the state population, making it the most Hindu state (proportionally), in India. According to a 2005 Transparency International survey, Himachal Pradesh is ranked the second-least corrupt state in the country after Kerala.


Shimla-Queen Of Hills

Shimla, was the Summer capital  of  India under British rule . Presently, it is the state capital of Himachal Pradesh, with its population around  1.6 lacs (Shimla town only). Shimla has seen many important historical events such as  the famous Shimla act between India & Pakistan which was signed here.  The place is also famous  for  its natural beauty, architectural buildings, wooden crafts and apples . 

Hanuman Ji- Jakhuu Hills

Religiosity in India is scaling new heights. Just on the outskirts of this erstwhile summer capital of the British raj, a giant 108 feet high idol of Hanuman was unveiled at Jakhoo Hanuman temple, overlooking the entire city. Given its gigantism, it would not be out of place to say that monkeys will be omnipresent in this famous tourist destination which already has a large simian population.Deemed to be world's tallest statue at 108 feet at the highest altitude of over 8,100 feet and constructed at a cost of Rs 1.5 crore, it surpasses the current tallest statue of 'Christ the Redeemer', which measures 98 feet and stands at an altitude of 2,296 feet in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. 

 The imposing idol, overlooking the stately deodars, was unveiled by chief minister Prem Kumar Dhumal, Bollywood star Abhishek Bachchan and industrialist Nanda. 
Dhumal said, "The idol, which can be seen from various parts of the city, will not only become talk of the town, but the world and will play an important role in attracting tourists to Shimla." He added that the Jakhoo temple attracted thousands of visitors every year and their visit was incomplete without a visit to the shrine and paying obeisance to Hanuman, he said. 
Expressing hope that the idol made by Naresh Kumar Verma of Pilani, Rajasthan, would soon find a place in the record books, he said the people were grateful to him for the statue. The foundation stone was laid on Hanuman Jayanti, October 26, 2008. 
 Abhishek said the construction of the statue was an indication that the Indian craftsmen had not lost their sheen. He added that it was a momentous occasion to be present at the unveiling of the statue constructed at a holy spot. 
Hindu mythology has it that Hanuman had stopped at this spot to ask the way to Drona Giri to know the location of the sanjeevini booti that he had set out to get.

Christ Church in Shimla

The most prominent building on the Mall is the yellow Christ Church, reputed to be the second oldest church in northern India.

The silhoutte of this can be seen on the skyline for miles around. It was designed by Colonel JT Boileau in 1844, but consecrated only after 1857.
The clock was donated by Colonel Dumbleton in 1860, and the porch added in 1873.
In Shimla’s 75 years of reigning as summer capital, a long line of officials and other notables of the Raj came to the church for their Sunday prayers. The seasonal influx would be so great at times that space would pose a big problem.
And once it so happened that a vicar was even prompted to preach a sermon against the space taken up by women’s crinolines. Lo and behold, next Sunday, the chastened ladies turned up in riding outfits! Now, of course, the congregations have dwindled and there is no lack of space.

More than half a century has slipped by since the last Viceroy of India has prayed here, but nothing much seems to have changed in Christ Church.
It still has those lovely stained glass windows for which it is so famed.

Check out the one that represents the virtues of Faith, Hope, Charity, Fortitude, Patience and Humility. But around the chancel window used to be a beautiful fresco designed by Rudyard Kipling’s father, Lockwood Kipling, who was the principal of Mayo School of Art in Lahore.
Sadly, nothing of it remains today. Note the interesting brasses and plaques.

Indian institute of advance studies- Shimla 

 The building was completed in 1888 to serve as the Vicaregal lodge. The whole Indian subcontinent was ruled from the Summer Capital of Shimla, from this building in fact.

The basic plan of this building was conceived by the Ninth Viceroy, The Marquess of Dufferin and Ava, with the sanction of Lord Randolph Churchil. The Principal Architect was Henry Irwin of PWD. Grey limestone was quarried from a site five miles away and transported on mules to create this huge edifice in a mock-Tudor or Scottish baronial style much favoured by Victorian Britain. It was the first Government Building to have electricity, also European style kitchen and laundries housed in their own five-storey wing. 
The surrounding lawns, gardens and terraces, which form part of the 331 acres were expanded during the Viceroyalty of The Marquess Of Lansdowne (1888-1894). Successive Viceroyalties continued to alter and add but the main building never lost its Victorian character. 

Lord Irwin added the Main Entry in 1927. A staff of 800 including 40 gardeners were employed here at that time. Mainly used for entertainment of the Viceroy’s guests . 
The Lodge witnessed many historical events as well. In the struggle of Independence and the negotiations that led to the partition, crucial meetings with Mahatma Gandhi, Jawarharlal Nehru and Mohammed Jinna took place here.

After Independence in 1947, the building became part of the estate of the President Of India and was renamed Rashtrapati Nivas. It was our second President, Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan himself, an eminent scholar who was instrumental in establishing here the Indian Institute of Advanced Studies in 1965 as a residential centre for research in the humanities and the Social Sciences. It has one of the best libraries in the country, with books in Philosophy and Religion and other subjects, which are ancient texts as well.

The woodwork in the building, was all done with red wood brought from Burma. This 120 years old building is in the hands of ASI and needs lots of repairing and renovation which may cost the Govt of India, huge sums of money. Hence, the work is slow. In my opinion, having seen the structure and majesty with which it still stands, it is a world heritage building.

The Mall, Shimla

Once established by the British empire, "The Mall" is centrally located in Shimla, the state capital of Himachal Pradesh. "The Mall" often described as the heart of the city is embellished with varieties of departmental stores, shops, showrooms and restaurants.It is also known as a shoppers paradise. Apart from the shopping attraction, there is century old church and temple located nearby. The Scandal Point, which is located at the end of the Mall road in Shimla attracts large number of tourists for its scenic and picturesque view.

A Memorable Destination
Mall Road in Shimla, is a place which cannot be left untouched by any visitor. The lifeline of Shimla, Mall road, is the main tourist attraction in the town. Mall is the centre of Shimla's bustling social life. It is a fairly level meandering esplanade that runs along the ridge. Mall road is the main street in Shimla. Most of the major hotels, restaurants, recreation centres are situated on The Mall. The Mall was constructed by the British, and precautions were taken to make sure that the road does not gets adversely affected. One such step was to ban entry of vehicles on the road. All the colonial structures are situated on The Mall.

A Shoppers Paradise
Mall Road has numerous showrooms, stores, departmental stores, shops, restaurants and cafes, stuck closely to each together. The market on Mall offers all kind of handicraft products of Himachal Pradesh, locally made woollen cloths, branded cloths, pottery items, jewellary, books, and local eatable items, especially pickles. Mall road is more famous for its wooden furniture shops. The furniture shops specializes in making furnitures, which looks likeantique peic4s.During a purchase process, one must go for heavy bargain on locally made items. There are no vehicles allowed on the Mall, so it is always bustling with tourists, mostly buyers. The jovial crowd, youthful environ and scenic beauty around the road can make anyone stay here for whole day long.

Attractions on The Mall 
Scandal Point

The highest point on The Mall, Scandal point is the end of Mall Road. One can have the views of valley and mountain peaks from this point. Scandal point is always full of tourists, due to its scenic location. The name Scandal arises from the deeds of Maharaj of Patiala, who dared the Britishers by kidnapping the daughter of the then Viceroy-of-India from this point. A statue of Lala Lajpat Rai, an eminent freedom fighter of India, is installed here.

Christ Church
The Christ Church is the second oldest church in North India. The huge colonial monument is a classic example of British art of church construction. The Church's exquisite beauty comes alive with the stained glasses that are fitted on its windows.

General Post Office

The Shimla Post Office on the Mall is a well carved building out of wood. The post office has the system of Tonga mail delivery in Shimla, one of its kind in India.

Kali Bari Temple
The Kali Bari Temple is supposed to be the temple Goddess Shyamala, who lends her name to Shimla. Kali Bari temple was constructed in 1845. The shrine of Shyamala was earlier in Jakhu hill. Britishers brought it to the new site of temple.

Gaiety Theatre 

Henry Irwin

Completed 1888

Shimla, India

The Gaiety Theatre was originally part of a huge town hall complex in the neo-Gothic style, spanning the Mall and the Ridge. This was built to reflect what Pamela Kanwar calls "the social milieu of the 'upper five hundred.'" Kanwar explains that it included all that British society needed: a theatre, a library, a large hall for suppers, balls, exhibitions and durbars; and a police station and weapons for protection. The ground floor consisted of the Gaiety Theatre, a Masonic Hall with a vaulted entrance, the municipal offices and the police station. The first floor contained the gallery of the theatre, the library, two reading rooms and a hall for holding public meetings.... The second floor consisted of a large ballroom and two retiring rooms. This floor also had a drawing room, a bar and a card room.

The style of the whole place aroused some controversy, however. The Viceroy's wife, Lady Dufferin, found it anomalous: she described it as "something like a cathedral, but which inside is a collection of places of amusement"; a later guidebook dismissed the completed building as "bastard Gothic" (both qtd. in Kanwar 62).

As for the Gaiety Theatre itself, this was a major focus of social life in the hill station: "Young army officers and their wives, they took to greasepaint and the boards like a duck takes to water," explains the current Shimla Guide rather picturesquely. The young Rudyard Kipling became very much a part of this scene on his visits to Simla. One of his appearances at the Gaiety was as Brisemouche in Sardou's popular farce, A Scrap of Paper. The Viceroy, Lord Dufferin, found his performance "too horrid and vulgar" (qtd. in Allen 243).

Early in the twentieth century, the original upper storeys of the structure had to be removed for safety reasons, and a large new mock-Tudor municipal building was erected nearby. But the Gaiety Theatre on the Mall level continued in use, and there is still a "Police Assistance Room" alongside it. The Amateur Dramatic Club's coat of arms is still displayed over the Ridge entrance, too, and stairs from that entrance lead up to a clubroom and other amenities, including the bar. The club clearly continues to flourish.

Gorton Castle

One of the most striking buildings of the British empire, Gorton Castle is a new-Gothic structure that had the famous Sir Swinton Jacob as its architect - the Rajasthan jaali work on its balconies obviously came from his forty five years of experience as the executive engineer of the princely state of Jaipur, completed in 1904, this was the Civil Secretariat of the Imperial Government of India and housed the Legislative, Lands, Education, Home Health and Finance departments. Today, this houses the offices of the Accountant General of Himachal Pradesh. This three floored building with about 125 small and big rooms became the seat of the Accountant General in 1947. This finest house in Shimla, according to Sir Edward Buck also has one floor paved with rosewood like timber blocks which were brought from Andaman Islands by B.Ribbentrop head of forest department. The site belonged to one Mr. Gorton, ICS in 1840. After changing hands thrice, it was purchased by a banker, Sir James Walker for Rs. 80,000. He wished to gift it for construction of Hospital After much discussion and persuasion the building was acquired for its officers and Sir Walker was given alternate site where Walker Hospital was constructed.


The Railway Board Building

Built in 1896-97, this unusual cast iron and steel structure once held the offices of the Railway Board and the Department of Commerce. But at a time when safety was a core-consideration for important buildings throughout the British Empire, this was designed to be structurally fire fire-resistant, and a recent blaze has testified to this in Shimla. The building was originally designated as the 'Public Works Department Secretariat Offices' and was fabricated by the Bombay based firm of Rishardson and Cruddas. Above road level, the building has four levels and with one side exposed, climbing down the hill, it has three basements. On the 10 Feb,2001 a blaze broke out in the top floor and standing testimony to its construction and to the subsequent restoration, no trace of this huge fire remains today and its facade is as imposing as ever. Presently, it houses many of the Central Government Offices.

Wood Ville

Woodville is one of the oldest and finest houses of Shimla east. It became the honoured residence of the Commander-in-Chief in the year 1865, and its first occupant was General Sir William Rose Mansfield. After the year 1881 the Commander-in-Chief deserted it for Snowdon, near Lakkar Bazaar, which was burnt down some year back and the site is now taken by Indira Gandhi Medical College and  Hospital, also called Snowdon Hospital. In the year 1881 Woodville house was bought by Sir James Walker and afterwards passed on to the Alliance Bank of Simla, which used it as the manager's residence. The bank collapsed in the year 1923 and not long afterwards the house was bought over by Raja Rana Sir Bhagat Chand of Jubbal, who tastefully converted it into his summer Palace. After the Raja's death, the Palace has been turned into a hotel by one of his grandsons. The house has lovely surroundings, beautiful wooded walks, clusters of pine and deodars, and well-groomed lawns, reminiscent of a large German country-house. Woodville is an ideal refuge for people who really want peace and quietude, away from the madding crowd. The owner of the Woodville Palace Hotel lives within the estate.

Annadale Ground

No Other landmark in Simla can revive more pleasant memories than the famous playground and race-course by the name of Annadale, located in a deep wide valley in the suburban village of Kaithu, simla west. This playground rests on a small patch of table-land about a three-quarters of a mile in circumference.The spur on which it stood was a sort of valley-flat which was greatly extended and improved. Now misnamed Annandale, the original name of this place was Annadale and this name is derived from a small story about it. The story is that Captain charles pratt Kennedy, one of the first incomers to this place, was so struck by the beauty of the valley that he saw, that be named after a young lady to whom he was so deeply attached in his young boyhood days. Her name was Anna and he combined it with the word 'dale' meaning a valley, thus calling the valley as Annadale. this spelling appears in the early lithographs of Simla done about the year 1840. Annandale, since its inception in the 1830s was the haunt of Anglo-Indian playful activities, amusements and entertainments. It was the favourite place for picnic parties, fetes and fancy-fairs, birthday-balls,flower and dog shows, army tatoos,races and gymkhanas,polo matches and other tournaments in 1888 which became a regular annual feature and which still bears his name although the venue of this tournament is now shifted to Calcutta. 

An ambitious improvement scheme was launched by Lord William Beresford, the Military Secretary to Lord Dufferin, and his keen interest in the expansion of Annandale ground gave the 'Cricketers a new pavilionand a polo field for the polo fans.' The cutting of a big piece of the hill cost nearly Rs 80,000 to which handsome amounts were contributed by the Indian Rajas. In the old regime there was a general committee for the maintenance of the ground and funds were derived from the rents paid by the gymkhana, polo and cricket clubs, race committee and other voluntary organisations. Presently there are no more races and the field is utilised as a helipad and for army exercise and parades, sports and occasionally for other kinds of assemblages like Dussehra festival celebrations. The very first fancy fair was held in Annandale in the year 1839.

The Road to Shimla

In the early days of Simla settlement the visitor to Simla required Herculean strength to cope with the hardship of uncomfortable, cumbersome and exhausting travel. By the 1860's the East India Railway had come only upto Ambala (Umbllah) from where one had to proceed by four wheeled 'Dak Garry' or Mail Wagon to Kalka, at the foot of Simla hills. These Carriages were mainly drawn by horse but at times bullocks or even elephants were utilised to pull them across the bridge-less River Ghaggar. From Kalka another eight hours of gruelling journey by 'Tonga', a two wheeled horse carriage, brought the visitor to Simla.The tonga was a greater affliction than the Dak Garry. It was a crude,uncomfortable but strong two-wheeled cart drawn by one or two Kabul ponies, harnessed in curicle style passengers sitting back to back, and luggage strapped on to the sides over the wheels,with the pathan driver at the reins. It accommodated 4 to 6 passengers. The other modes of transport of earlier days were bullock-carts, mule-trains, camels and horses, 'dandy' (a sedan chair slung on poles and carried by bearers) and 'jampan' or 'doli' which was a covered type of curtailed tiny box-like compartment, carried like the dandy. the janpan was described by one sufferer as 'a jolting, back aching abomination'

The Combermere Bridge

The Combermere Bridge on the mall is the oldest British landmark of Shimla. In the words of Captain Mundy, A.D.C. to lord Combermere (1928),"Lord Combermere amused himself, and benefitted the public by superintending the formation of a fine, broad,level road round the mount Jakhu, about three miles in length...worked entirely by Hill men...and skillfully done..and when finished, will be a great acquisition to the loungers of Shimla.This is the present Jakhu round, a favourite woody walk around JakhuHill." Across a deep ravine, a quarter of mile from the town, his lordship erected neat 'Sangah', or a mountain bridge of pines; and under it a capacious stone tank was constructed to obviate the great scarcity of water." The bridge still bears the name of Combermere and it was the first step towards the improvement of Simla.Present day bridge was built in 1971-72. Today Combermere Bridge is a busy spot surrounded by the lift to cart road, Indira Gandhi Khel Parisar, Fruit vendors and Pram Wallahas.

Seven Hills

Shimla is surrounded by Seven Hills , These hills offer a wide variety of trails to visitors to explore. The seven Hills are :

i) Prospect Hill in western Shimla, which has the Kamna Devi temple.

ii) Summer Hill in western Shimla, where the campus of Himachal Pradesh University is located.

iii) Observatory Hill in western Shimla, where the Indian Institute of Advanced Study is found.

iv) Inverarm in western Shimla, where the State Museum is located.

v) Bantony in central Shimla, which has the Grand Hotel.

vi) Jakhoo in central Shimla, which is crowned by the temple dedicated to Lord Hanuman.

vii) Elysium in north-western Shimla, which holds Auckland House and Longwood and reaches out towards the Bharari spur.

Bhalku and Kalka-Shimla Railway

The 95 kilometer long Kalka-Shimla Railway track, a unique feat of engineering, was laid under the guidance of Bhalku Sirmauri. He guided the engineers showing them the line, the track should take. Legends is that the track was revealed to him by the Devta. Railway line was laid exactly on the trace shown by him. It was built under the supervision of H.S. Harington, Chief Engineer. With the growth in the simla population,permanent and floating, the M.C.C. (Motor Car Co.) was not found capable enough to cope with the growth transport of passengers,luggage and the provisions of everyday consumption which had to be brought in from the markets in the plains and a necessity was felt to find a better alternative means of transport.So a Mountain Railway Project was planned in 1847. The narrow gauge track (2ft. 6 in. gauge) runs through picturesque mountain scenery ascending from 2800 feet to 7000 feet. From Kalka (at 640 m) the track rises to Simla Railway Station (2060 m) through 103 tunnels and passes through 800 bridges and 900 curves. Barog tunnel 2.8 Km long is the longest tunnel.