SHIMLA HIMACHAL PRADESH SANGLA KALPA KULLU MANALI MACLOEDGANJ DHARMASAL CHAMBA. Himachal Pradesh, with Shimla/Simla as the capital, is nestled in some of the most beautiful ranges of the western Himalayas. Situated just south of Kashmir and east of Punjab, Himachal Pradesh has more of the Himalayan mountains than even Kashmir where one has to travel to the eastern regions to see the massive peaks. Besides, it is not burdened by the political climate prevailing in Kashmir and rivals that state in beauty, green forests, abundance of flowers, and stunning views.
The political state, Himachal Pradesh, was carved out from the
larger Punjab in 1950 and
governed as a Union Territory (direct governance from Delhi,) and became a State of the Indian Union in 1971. Link.Shimla, (Link) called Simla by the British, was the summer capital of British-India, and is connected by a mountain railway from Kalka, 96 klms to the south; the latter has a rail connection to Chandigarh in Punjab. This railway was declared a World Heritage by UNESCO recently in July 2008. Kalka-Shimla railway link.
Shimla, and Himachal Pradesh, is a tourist paradise for those who love mountains and alpine scenery, and the state has done well in preserving its eco-heritage.
With Shimla as the base, all of Himachal Pradesh should be travelled through, for stunning views and green forests (but be prepared for some real scary roads.) However, the other towns with road connections and hotel accomodations are Chail, south of Shimla, then in an anti-clockwise direction -Sangla and Kalpa, Kullu and Manali, Macloed Ganj and Dharmasala (seat of the Dalai Lama's government in exile,) then Chamba-Khhajier and Dalhousie. (see map above) For the best views of the Himalayan ranges, travel the eastern regions of Kinnaur (Sangla) and further north Spiti close to the Tibetan border!! this link / link gives good info on Himachal tourism.
Pics 1& 2 : mountain railway Kalka to Shimla; pics 3 to 5: Shimla, pic 6: Viceroy's Lodge, Shimla;
pic 7: road, carved from rock(!!), Shimla to the east-Sangla and Kalpa; pic 8: Manali view; pic 9:view from road to Dharmasala; pic 10 11: view at Chamba; pic 12 to 14 Kullu valley; pic 15 folk people of Himachal Pradesh.
Getting there
(from above link:
By Air
The nearest airport is at Jubbarhati, 23 km from Shimla, and is linked to Chandigarh, Kullu and Delhi.
By Rail
Shimla is connected with a broad gauge railway line up to Kalka and after that by narrow gauge line.
Kalka to Shimla is 90 km. The journey takes about 6 hours, the train winds its way through 103 tunnels and some picturesque scenery......................)
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