Himachal Pradesh ·
Shimla
Shimla, previously spelt Simla, is the capital of the state of Himachal Pradesh in India. It is a very popular holiday retreat during the summer months and is well known for its Victorian architecture, which is reflected in certain areas of the Mall and the Ridge.
Shimla at a Glance
Why Shimla?
The highlights, landmarks and experiences that make this destination worth visiting.
- Jakhu Temple
- Christ Church
- Dhingu Mata Temple
- Jakhoo Temple
- Himachal State Museum
- Lower Bazaar
Shimla at a Glance
Essential travel information to understand Shimla before planning your visit.
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Explore Shimla
Places to Visit
- Jakhu Temple: Jakhu Temple (also Jakhoo Temple) is an ancient Hindu temple in Shimla, Himachal Pradesh, India, dedicated to the Hindu deity Lord Hanuman. It is situated at Jakhu Hill, Shimla's highest peak, 2.5 km (1.6 mi) east of the Ridge at a height of 2,455 m (8,054 ft) above sea level.
- Christ Church: Christ Church, Shimla, is the second oldest church in North India, after St John's Church in Meerut. Worship is conducted in Hindi and English.
- Dhingu Mata Temple: Dhingu Mata Temple is a temple on top of a hill named Dhingu Dhar above Sanjauli in Shimla city in North Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. The temple is named after its founder, the local ruler Raja Dhingu.
- Jakhoo Temple: A temple and the world's largest Hanuman statue. According to the epic Ramayana, the monkey god Hanuman rested here during his journey to the Himalayan mountains.
- Himachal State Museum: The Himachal State Museum is a cultural museum located in Shimla, in the Indian Himalayan state of Himachal Pradesh.
- Lower Bazaar: Lower Bazaar is a market in Shimla city. It is just below the Middle Bazaar and Mall Road.
Things to Do
- Paragliding: At a distance of 25 km from center of Shimla, Junga village offers paragliding for adventure enthusiasts.
- Chadwick Falls: The waterfall is at its most beautiful just after the monsoon. But for much of the year it can be quite dry, and not as impressive.
- Christ Church: Constructed in 1846, this is the second oldest church in North India. The stain-glass windows,representing charity, faith, patience, hope, fortitude and humility, and 19th century organ are particularly impressive.
- Hip Hip Hurray Amusement Park: An amusement offering adventure activities like Burma bridge crossing, Flying Fox, rock climbing, boating, various rides, indoor golf & video games. Also has a restaurant, coffee shop & shopping.
- Lower Bazaar: The Lower Bazaar is home to the city's less expensive hotels, cheaper restaurants and shops, and a congested wholesale vegetable market.
- The Mall: The Mall is the main shopping centre of Shimla. This shopping centre has a good number of banks, restaurants, post offices, clubs, bars and tourists offices.
Sightseeing Places
- Jakhu Temple: Jakhu Temple (also Jakhoo Temple) is an ancient Hindu temple in Shimla, Himachal Pradesh, India, dedicated to the Hindu deity Lord Hanuman. It is situated at Jakhu Hill, Shimla's highest peak, 2.5 km (1.6 mi) east of the Ridge at a height of 2,455 m (8,054 ft) above sea level.
- Christ Church: Christ Church, Shimla, is the second oldest church in North India, after St John's Church in Meerut. Worship is conducted in Hindi and English.
- Dhingu Mata Temple: Dhingu Mata Temple is a temple on top of a hill named Dhingu Dhar above Sanjauli in Shimla city in North Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. The temple is named after its founder, the local ruler Raja Dhingu.
- Jakhoo Temple: A temple and the world's largest Hanuman statue. According to the epic Ramayana, the monkey god Hanuman rested here during his journey to the Himalayan mountains.
- Himachal State Museum: The Himachal State Museum is a cultural museum located in Shimla, in the Indian Himalayan state of Himachal Pradesh.
- Lower Bazaar: Lower Bazaar is a market in Shimla city. It is just below the Middle Bazaar and Mall Road.
Places That Define Shimla
Explore the most iconic landmarks and sacred sites.
Jakhu Temple
Jakhu Temple (also Jakhoo Temple) is an ancient Hindu temple in Shimla, Himachal Pradesh, India, dedicated to the Hindu deity Lord Hanuman. It is situated at Jakhu Hill, Shimla's highest peak, 2.5 km (1.6 mi) east of the Ridge at a height of 2,455 m (8,054 ft) above sea level.
Christ Church
Christ Church, Shimla, is the second oldest church in North India, after St John's Church in Meerut. Worship is conducted in Hindi and English.
Dhingu Mata Temple
Dhingu Mata Temple is a temple on top of a hill named Dhingu Dhar above Sanjauli in Shimla city in North Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. The temple is named after its founder, the local ruler Raja Dhingu.
Jakhoo Temple
A temple and the world's largest Hanuman statue. According to the epic Ramayana, the monkey god Hanuman rested here during his journey to the Himalayan mountains.
Himachal State Museum
The Himachal State Museum is a cultural museum located in Shimla, in the Indian Himalayan state of Himachal Pradesh.
Lower Bazaar
Lower Bazaar is a market in Shimla city. It is just below the Middle Bazaar and Mall Road.
Sankat Mochan Temple
Sankat Mochan Temple is a Hindu temple, dedicated to Hindu deity Hanuman in Shimla, Himachal Pradesh, India. The temple is Shimla's second most visited Hanuman temple after Jakhu Temple.
Kamna Devi Temple
Kamna Devi Temple is a Hindu temple located in Boileauganj, Shimla, Himachal Pradesh. It is situated atop of Prospect Hill which is one of the seven hills in Shimla.
Shri Mahaveer Hanuman Mandir Khushala
Shri Mahaveer Hanuman Mandir Khushala, also known as Thakurdwara, is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Hanuman located in Khushala village of Shoghi region in Shimla in the Northern Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. The temple is popular among locals as well as tourists.
Sanjauli Mosque
The Sanjauli Mosque is a mosque, located in Sanjauli locality of Shimla, in the North Indian state of Himachal Pradesh, India. It is one of the prominent mosques in the Shimla district.
Army Heritage Museum
The Army Heritage Museum is located in Annadale suburb of Shimla city, India. It is situated in the Army cantonment, close to Annadale ground and helipad.
The Ridge
The Ridge is the center of Shimla's cultural and social life - an excellent place to view the surrounding mountains.
Explore Destination on Map
Discover all sub-destinations, routes and detailed navigation information on an interactive map.
Explore Shimla on Map
Open the destination map to discover attractions and routes.
Plan Your Trip
Plan Your Way
- When to Visit: Climate-based guidance for choosing your dates.
- Getting Around: How to reach and move around.
- Budget & Practical Tips: Costs and safety notes from local guidebook sources.
All Itineraries
- 1 Day in Shimla: 1 days with detailed day plans
- 2 Days in Shimla: 2 days with detailed day plans
How to Reach
- By Air: The nearest airport is Shaheed Bhagat Singh International Airport (IXC), about 60 km from Shimla.
- By Train: The nearest railway station is Shimla railway station, about 1 km from central Shimla.
- By Road: Government and private buses are available from Chandigarh to Shimla within a gap of half an hour. Deluxe and semi-deluxe buses are also frequently available from different places.
Best Time to Visit
- Summer: Summer in Shimla (Apr, May, Jun) averages 10–22°C with about 81 mm of rain per month.
- Monsoon: Monsoon in Shimla (Jul, Aug, Sep) averages 14–22°C with about 196 mm of rain per month.
- Post-monsoon: Post-monsoon in Shimla (Oct, Nov) averages 5–17°C with about 37 mm of rain per month.
- Winter: Winter in Shimla (Dec, Jan, Feb) averages 0–12°C with about 48 mm of rain per month.
Weather
- Summer: Average highs of 22°C and lows of 10°C.
- Monsoon: Average highs of 22°C and lows of 14°C.
- Post-monsoon: Average highs of 17°C and lows of 5°C.
- Winter: Average highs of 12°C and lows of 0°C.
Travel Tips
- Staying safe: Beware of greedy monkeys which may attack anytime to grab food from your hands. Don’t make any eye contact with them.
- Getting around: Getting around in Shimla is easy as compared to other cities in Himachal Pradesh.
- Climate: Shimla's cool climate is the precise reason why it is such a popular summer retreat. At an altitude of approximately 2,200 m above sea level, the region has a hilly terrain and is covered by dense evergreen forests.
- Heat: Daytime highs reach about 23°C in June; carry water and plan outdoor sightseeing for the morning.
- Rain: The wettest months are January, June, July and August; check road and site conditions before travelling.
Local Transport
- On foot: Most, especially downtown with the ridge, can be walked but due to the hills Shimla is on, it can sometimes be exhausting.
- By bus: You can get a local bus from 7AM to 9PM for ₹10, and that too for any destination in the city.
- By taxi: In case you choose to travel by taxi, it is affordable and convenient for sightseeing.
- By tour: Apart from this, there are some tourist buses run by HPTDC every day for getting around in Shimla, e.g. from the Rivoli Bus Stop. As Shimla is known for its picturesque location and serene environment, you can also consider traveling some distance on foot.
Suggested Itinerary
Choose the perfect duration for your Shimla trip.
Spiritual & Religious
Religious Significance
- Summary: Shimla, previously spelt Simla, is the capital of the state of Himachal Pradesh in India.
- Famous For: Known for Jakhu Temple, Christ Church and Dhingu Mata Temple.
- Overview: Shimla, previously spelt Simla, is the capital of the state of Himachal Pradesh in India. It is a very popular holiday retreat during the summer months and is well known for its Victorian architecture, which is reflected in certain areas of the Mall and the Ridge. It is also a famous holiday spot for honeymoon.
Planning Guide
- Overview: Shimla, previously spelt Simla, is the capital of the state of Himachal Pradesh in India. It is a very popular holiday retreat during the summer months and is well known for its Victorian architecture, which is reflected in certain areas of the Mall and the Ridge. It is also a famous holiday spot for honeymoon.
- Accommodation: There are lots of options from dormitories to luxury resort hotels. Online booking is the most convenient way to reserve a room. Listed options include 3 star hotel in shimla, Amar Palace and Hotel Mayur.
- Best Way To Explore: Getting around in Shimla is easy as compared to other cities in Himachal Pradesh.
The Sacred Heart of Shimla
A timeless journey of faith and devotion.
Significance
According to 2011 census, the majority religion of the city is Hinduism practised by 93.5% of the population, followed by Islam (2.29%), Sikhism (1.95%), Buddhism (1.33%), Christianity (0.62%), and Jainism (0.10%).
Spiritual Significance
According to 2011 census, the majority religion of the city is Hinduism practised by 93.5% of the population, followed by Islam (2.29%), Sikhism (1.95%), Buddhism (1.33%), Christianity (0.62%), and Jainism (0.10%).
Pilgrimage Traditions
The people of Shimla are informally called Shimlaites. With largely cosmopolitan crowds, a variety of festivals are celebrated here.
Sacred Heritage
Shimla has a population of around 172,000 (which may increase by another 100,000 with the seasonal influx of voyagers).
Frequently Asked Questions
Shimla is most comfortable in February, March, April, May and September, when average daytime highs stay at or below 32°C and rainfall is low. The hottest month is June (average high 23°C) and the wettest months are January, June, July and August.
The nearest airport is Shaheed Bhagat Singh International Airport (IXC), about 60 km away. The nearest railway station is Shimla railway station, about 1 km away. See the How to Reach page for road, rail and air details.
Main attractions include Jakhu Temple, Christ Church, Dhingu Mata Temple, Jakhoo Temple, Himachal State Museum and Lower Bazaar.
A stay of 2 days covers the main sights. Ready-made 1-day and 2-day itineraries are linked on this page.
Average highs range from 10°C to 23°C over the year, with about 1145 mm of rain in total.
Tour Packages for Shimla
Your Shimla Journey Starts Here
Explore top attractions, local culture, and the experiences that make this destination worth visiting.