Shimla's main promenade is The Mall, a pedestrian avenue stretching across the length of the city. Above The Mall is The Ridge, a wide-open esplanade watched over by a statue of Gandhi to the east, where the nearby Gothic Christchurch is one of Shimla's most imposing structures. Note the fresco around the chancel window, designed by Lockwood Kipling, Rudyard's father.
Also on the Mall are the Telegraph Office, an interesting example of stone ashlar work completed in 1922 and, to its right, the old Railway Booking Office. Marking the area where The Ridge joins up with The Mall, Scandal Point continues to be a popular social hangout. Beyond the fire station, after the dressed stone building housing the Municipal Offices, is the Gaiety Theatre. Renowned for its excellent acoustics, the Gaiety continues to showcase local dramas on a stage where notable personalities, including Lord Robert Baden-Powell and novelist M. M. Kaye, once graced the planks.
A short walk east of The Ridge will take you to the start of a rather strenuous but worthwhile hike to the summit of Jakhu Hill which, at an altitude of 2,445m (7,800 ft.), is Shimla's highest point and affords excellent views of the city and surrounding valleys. You need to trudge up a steep 1.5km (1-mile) path, commencing at The Ridge and culminating at Shimla's highest point, to get to the Hanuman temple on Jakhu's summit.
To the west of the city is the vast six-story Scottish baronial mansion formerly known as the Viceregal Lodge (Observatory Hill; daily 9am-1pm and 2-5pm; Rs 10/-). Built in 1888 at the behest of the British viceroy in an approximation of the Elizabethan style, and its luxuriant woodwork, handsome lawns, and lovely views attract numerous visitors. Even in 1888 it had electric light and an indoor tennis court, both rare for the times. The building was the summer residence of all viceroys until 1947 and the building renamed Rashtrapati Niwas. The lodge is now home to the Indian Institute of Advanced Studies. |
