Best Time to Visit Himachal Pradesh for Snowfall

Best Time to Visit Himachal Pradesh for Snowfall-Shimla, formerly known as Simla, holds the prestigious title of being the capital city of Himachal Pradesh. It earned recognition as the summer capital of the British Raj in India back in 1864. Today, Shimla is a renowned tourist destination often referred to as the "Queen of Hills," a name bestowed upon it by the British. Nestled in the north-west Himalayas, at an average altitude of 2,205 meters (7,234 ft), Shimla is surrounded by lush forests of pine, rhododendron, and oak, offering pleasant summers and snowy winters.

The city of Shimla showcases its colonial heritage through its architectural marvels, featuring tudorbethan and neo-gothic designs. Notably, it is connected to Kalka through the historic Kalka-Shimla Railway, which is one of India's longest narrow gauge railway routes still in operation. Situated approximately 115 km (71.4 miles) from Chandigarh and 365 km (226.8 miles) from New Delhi, Shimla draws its name from the goddess Shyamala Devi, an incarnation of the Hindu Goddess Kali. Best Time to Visit Shimla for Snowfall

Spanning a 12 km ridge, Shimla boasts of two main roads: The Mall, stretching from the western side to the lower eastern side, and the Cart Road, encircling the southern part of the city where the railway station, bus stands, and taxi stands are located. The ridge encompasses prominent hills such as Jakhu Hill (2,476 m), Chhota Shimla, Observatory Hill (2,148 m), and Prospect Hill (2,176 m). The ideal time to visit Shimla is during autumn when the days are warm and bright, and the nights are pleasantly cool. It is advisable to avoid visiting during the summer season when the town experiences a surge in tourist population.

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Shimla is a year-round tourist paradise. During the off-season, when the crowd is less, one can explore the town at their own pace. However, during the peak season, finding accommodation among the over 1,000 hotels in Shimla can be challenging due to high occupancy. The interior parts of the Shimla district offer a glimpse into the lives of rural hillside communities. Whether you're young or old, a writer, adventurer, nature lover, or seeking tranquility, Shimla has something to offer for everyone.

To reach Shimla, there are several options:

• By Road: Shimla is well-connected by road to major towns within the state and other cities across the country. Buses, including deluxe and ordinary ones, operate from places like Kalka (80 km), Chandigarh (119 km), Ambala (166 km), Delhi (370 km), Agra (568 km), and Amritsar (342 km). Taxis can also be hired for transportation.

• By Train: The nearest railhead to Shimla is Kalka, located 96 km away. The journey from Kalka to Shimla on the toy train takes approximately six hours. Trains between Kalka and Shimla are frequent, and one can take the Kalka Mail from Delhi to reach Kalka early in the morning. From there, a connecting train on the splendid narrow-gauge track will take you to Shimla.

• By Air: Shimla has an airport called Jubbarhatti Airport, situated 23 km from the downtown area. It offers regular flights to key cities within and around Himachal Pradesh, including Chandigarh, Kullu, and Delhi. Daily flights to Delhi and Kullu are available, and Jagson Airlines operates a bi-weekly flight on the Delhi-Shimla-Kullu-Gaggal route.

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