Ruchira walks down the memory lane to take us on a tour of Shimla. An exclusive for Different Truths.

This summer when COVID 19 has ruined travel and holiday plans of people worldwide; when in our own Bharatvarsh folks kept sizzling till the Monsoon fortunately arrived, many of you must have been yearning to escape to the hills. Just the way I did. Even as I write this, Monsoon is playing truant in Delhi and NCR, where I reside. No wonder, I developed a sudden craving for going to Shimla. When I realised we weren’t going after all, instead of grumbling I sank into a nostalgic mode about my Shimla trip so many years ago.

I developed a sudden craving for going to Shimla. When I realised we weren’t going after all, instead of grumbling I sank into a nostalgic mode about my Shimla trip so many years ago.

That year, during a January weekend my parents impulsively took us to the country’s erstwhile summer capital. After travelling by Delhi-Kalka Mail, which passes through Delhi in the evening, we alighted at Kalka station, in the foothills of the sylvan city, the following morning. The next lap of our journey was accomplished by a motorcoach/ salon car. We opted for this over the regular passenger train, which still ferries people up and down from the town on a daily basis. The salon also known as vista-dome was a veritable sitting room with neatly arranged seats, hemmed in by transparent glass walls topped by a transparent ceiling. This arrangement affords passengers a breathtaking view — of the surroundings and the azure sky above — especially during spells of snowfall.

Of late, this feature has been incorporated into the newly inaugurated Him  Darshan Express that plies between Kalka and Shimla. After a comfortable journey mingled with awesome memorable views of the mountainside, we arrived in Shimla on a chilly, sunny afternoon. Our first destination that very afternoon was the majestic Christ Church, located on the Ridge, not far from the Mall Road, the nerve centre of Shimla. The edifice still retains its glory and splendour.

After a comfortable journey mingled with awesome memorable views of the mountainside, we arrived in Shimla on a chilly, sunny afternoon. Our first destination that very afternoon was the majestic Christ Church, located on the Ridge, not far from the Mall Road, the nerve centre of Shimla. The edifice still retains its glory and splendour.

After a mandatory photograph, we paid quick visits to a few of the famous shrines namely Sankat Mochan, dedicated to Lord Hanuman, and Tara Devi temple dedicated to the mother goddess. Shimla is studded with several grand specimens of Colonial architecture, namely, the Viceregal Lodge that now houses the prestigious Indian Institute of Advanced Studies, Wildflower Hall, now an ultraluxury hotel, besides reputed missionary educational intuitions, the likes of St Bede’s College, Bishop Cotton School, Convent of Jesus & Mary among many, each a powerful reminiscent of the Raj.

We also visited the temple of Shyamala Devi from whom the place derives its name. Incidentally, Shimla also boasts of a Kali Bari, which offers cheap boarding and lodging to hordes of tourists from Kolkata and Bengal. That’s quite a relief, since Shimla figures among India’s costliest cities.

For meals, refreshments and shopping, we headed towards Lower Bazaar of the town.  The place is a veritable bedlam with narrow congested lanes, numerous shops jostling with each other. The shopping is enjoyable since the stores are choc-a-bloc with stuff: local fruits, vegetables, handicrafts, woollen garments and accessories, fast food, local cuisine and what have you!

For meals, refreshments and shopping, we headed towards Lower Bazaar of the town.  The place is a veritable bedlam with narrow congested lanes, numerous shops jostling with each other. The shopping is enjoyable since the stores are choc-a-bloc with stuff: local fruits, vegetables, handicrafts, woollen garments and accessories, fast food, local cuisine and what have you! Don’t forget to sample gateau and patisserie from the iconic Paljee’s Bakery located here. We knew about the place, by word of mouth much, before we actually visited Shimla.

For sports enthusiasts, there is good news. The largest natural ice-skating rink in South Asia is located here. Ski to your heart’s content.  Another option is Kufri, a (winter only) ski resort, located 19 kilometres away from town. A 9-hole golf course, at Naldehra, is another crowd-puller.

The largest natural ice-skating rink in South Asia is located here. Ski to your heart’s content.  Another option is Kufri, a (winter only) ski resort, located 19 kilometres away from town. A 9-hole golf course, at Naldehra, is another crowd-puller.

Ending on a personal note, in the company guest house we had checked into, we were allotted a comfortable room one wall of which comprised a massive window looking out on the town sprawled beneath. The afternoon’s piping hot tea, accompanied by a brilliant sunset just beyond the window was mesmerising.  The evening brought a deadly chill. However, we were safely ensconced in our warmers and woollies. The muted lights and an electric fire glowing in a corner made the ambience ethereal! By dinner time there was frost on window panes, yet the city’s dazzling lights and neon signs were visible yonder. It was like a jewel glittering against a dark sinister background!  To this day the view remains etched in my memory.

Photo from the Internet