Page 117 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - India

HIM A CHAL PR ADESH  115

stone sculptures dating from the simian hands rifling through VISITORS’ CHECKLIST
6th to 11th centuries, belonging their pockets and belongings.
to the Gupta and Pratihara Practical Information
periods, and a collection of Kangra P Viceregal Lodge Shimla district. 375 km (233 miles)
miniatures (see p125), based on The Mall. Tel (0177) 283 1375. N of Delhi. * 392,500. n HP
the seasons (Baramasa), musical Open Tue–Sun. & ^ Tourism, The Mall, (0177) 265
modes (Ragamala) and episodes The most imposing British-built 8302. _ Sipi Fair (May). Travel
from the Gita Govinda, a devo- building in Shimla is the former permits: Required for some areas
tional poem. Most impres sive, Viceregal Lodge. Situated of Himachal (see p119). Contact
however, is a spectacular series atop Observatory Hill, this grey Deputy Commissioner, (0177)
265 3535.
of mid-19th-century wall stone structure in the English
paintings from Chamba. Renaissance style was built under Transport
the guidance of Lord Dufferin in ~ 21 km (13 miles) W of Shimla.
 Jakhu Hill Temple 1888, as a suitable summer £ @
Jakhu Hill. Open daily. residence for the viceroys of
The forested dome of Jakhu Hill, India. Well-maintained gardens
at 2,450 m (8,038 ft) is the highest surround the stately mansion a distance. It is now called
point in Shimla. At its peak stands on three sides. The interior is as Rashtrapati Niwas and houses
a temple dedicated to the impressive, with two rows of the Indian Institute of Advanced
monkey god, Hanuman. balconies overlooking the mag- Study. Only the entrance hall, a
A 33-m (108-ft) high statue of nificent teak-panelled entrance couple of rooms on the ground
Hanuman towers over the temple. hall. A bronze plaque behind the floor, a picture gallery and the
According to the epic Ramayana building lists the peaks visible at gardens are open to the public.
(see p31), Hanuman rested here
during his journey to fetch the
Sanji vini herb from the Himalayas
to save the wounded Lakshman’s
life. A steep 2 km (1 mile) climb
from the Ridge to the summit
through deodar and oak forests
offers panoramic views of Shimla
and its suburbs. Monkeys are a
common sight all over Shimla,
but Jakhu is their kingdom.
Visitors should watch out for The stately Viceregal Lodge, set amid manicured lawns

Shimla City Centre
1 The Ridge 0 metres 200
2 Christ Church 200
3 The Mall 0 yards
4 Lower Bazaar

C I R C U L A R R O A D Mashobra,
Naldehra
Annandale Rivoli R I D G E S A N J A U L I R O A D
Bus Stand
VICTORY TUNNEL M A L L RO A D Scandal Town Gaiety The
Hall
Point
Theatre
Ridge
Mall
Church
Boileauganj, Road M A L L R O A D Christ
State Museum, Jakhu Hill
Viceregal Lodge Temple
Lower
Airport Bazaar
21 km (13 miles) C A R T R O A D
Shimla
Railway
Local
Station Bus Stand Lift R A J B H A V A N R O A D
Chhota
Shimla
For keys to symbols see back flap
114-115_EW_India.indd 115 26/04/17 11:43 am