Shimla

Nestled in the lush green valleys of the Northwestern Himalayan ranges, Shimla is a virtual paradise for the summer tourists. The erstwhile summer capital of the British, Shimla after independence became the capital of Punjab and is currently the capital of the state of Himachal Pradesh. The word Shimla literally stands for "the abode of snow". Shimla derives its name from goddess 'Shayamla Devi', the Goddess Kali.

Blessed with natural bounties, Shimla is surrounded by pine, deodar and oak forests. Shimla is connected to the city of Kalka by one of the longest narrow railway link. Shimla is also well connected by air, road and train to its neighbouring states Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Haryana and Union Territory of Chandigarh. The easy accessibility and natural beauty qualify Shimla as one of India's most popular and biggest hill stations.

Shimla's seven hill attractions are:

· Prospect Hill in Western Shimla: The temple of Kamna Devi is situated here.
· Summer Hill in Western Shimla: The campus of the Himachal Pradesh University is situated here.
· Observatory Hill in Western Shimla: The estate of the Indian Institute of Advanced Study is situated here.
· Invererarm in Western Shimla: The State Museum is located here.
· Bantony in Central Shimla: The Grand Hotel of Shimla can be found here.
· Jakhoo in Central Shimla: Crowned by the temple dedicated to Lord Hanuman.
· Elysium in Northwestern Shimla: Holds Auckland House and Longwood and reaches out towards the Bharari spur.

Some must-see places of Shimla:

The Mall: Packed with shops and eateries, this is the main shopping center of Shimla. It has many restaurants, clubs, banks, bars, Post Offices and tourist offices.
Christ Church: Reputed as the second oldest church in northern India, Christ Church, Shimla, is one of the most prominent building on the Mall. It was designed by Colonel JT Boileau in 1844. Inside the church, there are stained glass windows which represent faith, hope, charity, fortitude, patience and humility.
Shimla State Museum: This museum in Shimla boasts of collection of miniature Pahari paintings, sculptures, and bronzes wood-carvings. It also has one exhibition hall for arranging the exhibition and other museum activities. The Ridge: This large open space in the heart of town gives a magnificent view of the mountain ranges.