Of all the hill stations in India, Simla (now called Shimla), the capital of Himachal Pradesh, probably has among the highest top-of-mind recall. Situated at an altitude about 2200 metres (7200 ft.) above sea level, and located about 385 km from Delhi, it is easily one of the most popular hill resorts in the country.
Bounded by Mandi and Kullu in the north, and Kinnaur in the east, Simla was declared as the summer capital of British India In 1864. The climatic conditions had attracted the British to establish the town in the dense forests of the Himalayas. Today, as one would expect, it attracts a large number of tourists. The omnipresent symbol of Simla are its Citrus Pines or Deodar trees , with their grand, stately Christmas tree-like shape, stretching as far as the eye can see; enveloping the hillside in a canopy of benign green. That and its sloping green rooftops and the omnipresent, yellow-green railing on the side of the road that seems to skirt most of the town; serving as a barrier to the precipitous fall. One is, in fact, constantly amazed at the expertise of local drivers, as they unerringly make their way across multiple bends and curves; often at considerable speed. All towns have a place where all roads lead to – the nerve centre where most of the action takes place – and in case of Simla, it’s the Mall; a common feature in most hill stations up north. Accessed by a lift (two lifts in succession, actually), Simla’s Mall Road is a line-up of shops that comes alive, late afternoon, as streams of people idly amble past; often with no aim in particular – much like the “passeggiata” in Rome. On weekends, it turns into a bit of a melee, as what looks like half of Delhi (and whole of Chandigarh) descends on it. However, most of the time, it offers the coziest of strolls, past the string of wine shops, dhabas (Punjabi eating joints), dhurrie (rug) sellers, photographers, fast food joints and other establishments. Nearby, the market place, in a rather endearing throwback into the past, constantly rings out with songs from old Rajendra Kumar films of the 60s – most of which were shot in the vicinity. At the top of Mall Road, near the Ridge and skating rink, lies Scandal Point named so after a certain Maharajah’s wayward scion whisked away a damsel on horseback (if not a damsel in distress), in true Lochinvar style. Years later, sitting there on a misty evening, watching the twinkling lights in the distance, as kids ride on horseback and revellers revel in their newly unwrapped woolens; one feels one could sit there forever. |
|
