People of the olden days say ‘Once Shimla gets in your blood, it never leaves’. The town is capable of showing a fresh touch to its rich and varied character. It was earlier the summer capital’ of British India. Shimla is surrounded by thick forests of pine, Himalayan oak, flowering rhododendron and tall cedar, deodar trees. Today Shimla retains a substantial measure of a distinct lifestyle that has grace, leisure and elegance as its hallmarks. But unlike a place that lives on memories alone, the town also has a youthful vigor in its step and its well-developed facilities and numerous attractions and activities have ensured its popularity down the decades.

Places of Interest:

Ellerslie:
It is located in Chotta Shimla which now houses the Government of Himachal Pradesh. The large dressed stone and iron building was constructed in the year 1902. An Interesting structure near this is the Tudor-framed police station.

Barne’s Court:
It is now considered to be the Raj Bhawan which lies above the Ellerslie. It is a splendid example of a neo-tudor timber framed building that is evocative of an English country house. The Oakover which is the official residence of the chief minister of Himachal Pradesh was earlier the property of the Maharaja of Patiala.

The neo Gothic Christ church:
It is where the first corner stone was laid in the year 1844 and this church was consecrated in the year 1857. Even till date the church has some of the interesting memories and the pews still mark the seats of the British Viceroy of India.

Scandal point:
It is the hub of Shimla’s social life which is named after a British Commander-in-chief’s daughter who eloped from the spot with the Maharaja of Patiala.

The St.Andrew’s church:
It is the Church of Scotland which was built in 1914. The decorative cornerstones are the only concession to its Spartan brick façade. It now houses a wing of the state library and is a treasure trove of rare books.

The State Museum:
It was earlier known as the ‘Gurkha Gate’ and is now the Indian institute of advance studies. The site was selected by Lord Lytton, the British Viceroy of India between the year 1876 and 1880