Shimla Culture
Located on the lofty ranges of the Himalayas, Shimla is a place that has been untouched by commercialization and globalization. It is very different from rest of the Indian states and has retained its old world charm. The culture of Shimla is such that it portrays a sound balance between traditional values and modern thoughts. The cultural heritage of Simla is very traditional and rural. Read on further about the culture of Shimla.The people in Shimla depend on agriculture as a source of their livelihood. Cattle rearing is yet another way of earning a decent livelihood. The people in Shimla live in small huts with slated roofs. Every unit of village has its own shops and other facilities and necessities. There are regular fairs and festivals in these villages. You will find more information about the culture, music, dance, people and religion of Shimla in our related sections.
The style of music and dance in Shimla has not gone through much evolution. People over here still follow the traditional forms of dance & music of Simla. The dance and music of Shimla is basically religion oriented. All festivals are celebrated with traditional music and dance and they are an integral part of any festivity and celebration. The main purpose of indulging in music and dance is to invoke the Gods and seek their blessings. This practice has been prevalent since old days.
The music is dominated with instruments rather than vocals. The main instruments that are used while singing are Flute, Ektara Chimta, Ghariyal, Ghunghroo, etc. Along with these instruments, experienced people sing the traditional songs that are very pleasant to the ears. The major dance forms of Shimla are the Kayang Dance, Bakayang dance, Bnayangchu dance, Jataru Kayang dance, Chohara dance, Shand and Shabu dances and Rasa dance. These dances are exclusive to Shimla and are not practiced anywhere else.
The music is dominated with instruments rather than vocals. The main instruments that are used while singing are Flute, Ektara Chimta, Ghariyal, Ghunghroo, etc. Along with these instruments, experienced people sing the traditional songs that are very pleasant to the ears. The major dance forms of Shimla are the Kayang Dance, Bakayang dance, Bnayangchu dance, Jataru Kayang dance, Chohara dance, Shand and Shabu dances and Rasa dance. These dances are exclusive to Shimla and are not practiced anywhere else.
People of Shimla
People of Shimla IndiaThe people of Shimla are among the warmest and friendliest people of India. They believe in simple living and are content with whatever they have got in life. The lifestyle of Simla people is very down to earth and uncomplicated. They look for happiness in small things rather than search for materialistic pleasures. They are known to be very hospitable and make their guests feel at home.
The people of Shimla are a mix of various tribes and races. There is no particular caste or creed to which they belong. The people of Shimla are proud of their traditions and are fiercely protective about it. Though the place is modern and commercialized, the people have not changed and you can still see them following their traditions and rituals with much devotion and dedication. The natives of Shimla have been influenced by the Tibetan lifestyle, which is evident in the way they live and dress up.
The main economic activity and source of livelihood of the people of Shimla is agriculture. You will find most of the people working in fields or growing apple trees. Other sources of livelihood include animal husbandry, government services and handicrafts like weaving. The houses are built in an Indo-Tibetan style with slanted roofs and slates.
Places of interest
The Mall: The Mall is the main shopping street of Shimla. It also has many restaurants, clubs, banks, bars, Post Offices and tourist offices. The Gaiety Theatre is also situated there.
Christ Church: Situated on The Ridge, Christ Church is the second oldest church in Northern India. It has a very majestic appearance and inside there are stained glass windows which represent faith, hope, charity, fortitude, patience and humility.
Summer Hill: Situated at a distance of 5 km from The Ridge is the lovely township of Summer Hill, at a height of 6,500 ft on the Shimla-Kalka railway line. Mahatma Gandhi lived in these quiet surroundings during his visits to Shimla. Himachal Pradesh University is situated here.
Annandale: Developed as the racecourse of Shimla, Annandale is 2–4 km from The Ridge at a height of 6,117 ft. It is a very big beautiful ground, now used by the Indian Army.
Tara Devi: 11 km from the Shimla bus-stand. Tara Devi hill has a temple dedicated to the goddess of stars on top of the hill. There is a military Dairy Town here as well as the headquarters of Bharat Scouts and Guide
Totu: A major developing suburb of Shimla on NH-88. Houses Jutogh railway station & HimFed under Govt. of Himachal Pradesh.
Mashobra :was built by Lord Dalhousie in the 18th century. It is found in the biographies of Lady Mountbatten and Lady Edwinas. Jawaharlal Nehru, the then Prime Minister, paid a visit to Lord Mountbatten, the Viceroy and then Governor General of India, and his wife Lady Edwina. Before 1948, Mashobra used to house one of the only two Presidential retreats in India. The other Presidential retreat is Rashtrapati Nilayam in Secunderabad.
Mashobra is visited by the President of India every year and during that period the main office shifts to the retreat at Chharabra. The building of the Presidential retreat is a completely wooden structure originally constructed in 1850. The Wildflower Hall at Chharabra was the residence to Lord Kitchener as well as Lord Ripon during the British Raj, now a property of Oberoi Hotels. Today Mashobra is a well known tourist's destination.
Kufri:
Kufri is a tiny hill station located near Shimla. It is famous for its trekking and hiking trails. Adventure-seeking travelers throng Kufri in winters to enjoy skiing and tobogganing along its snow-covered slopes. Kufri is also famous for its nature parks and picnic spots. Kufri's proximity to the hill station of Shimla makes it an important place to visit.
Naldehra:
Nestled between the beautiful lofty ranges of the Himalayas, lies the Naldehra hill station. The Naldehra hill resort near Shimla is no less than a picture perfect destination. The blue skies, lush green forests and an occasional rainbow thrown in makes the place look like it has been painted on a canvas. The most famous attraction of Naldehra hill station is the 18 - hole golf course that is considered to be the most challenging golf course. This is because it is situated at an altitude of 2044 meters! The golf course is one of the most gorgeous stretches of land in Naldehra.
Nestled between the beautiful lofty ranges of the Himalayas, lies the Naldehra hill station. The Naldehra hill resort near Shimla is no less than a picture perfect destination. The blue skies, lush green forests and an occasional rainbow thrown in makes the place look like it has been painted on a canvas. The most famous attraction of Naldehra hill station is the 18 - hole golf course that is considered to be the most challenging golf course. This is because it is situated at an altitude of 2044 meters! The golf course is one of the most gorgeous stretches of land in Naldehra.
Chail: Chail was built as summer retreat by the Maharaja of Patiala during the British Raj, it is known for its cricket pitch, the highest in the world.In 1891, a dispute between Lord Kitchener the then Commander in Chief and Maharaja Bhupinder Singh of Patiala, resulted in the later being banned from entering into the then summer capital of the Raj - Shimla. Enraged by this Maharaja Bhupinder Singh decided to build himself a new summer capital that would be better than Shimla. On further search he realised that the small village of Chail lying just a few kilometers away from Shimla, was a veritable slice of heaven. With its lush verdant greenery, superb climatic conditions and a fantastic view of the snow capped Himalayas, the Maharaja found this destination ideally suited to be his summer capital.
Tattapani: Location of sulphur springs which are found near the Tatapani mandir(holy temple)Tattapani, at 0.6 m, is famously home to hot sulphur springs next to the Sutlej River. Such is the water’s warmth that locals bathe here in the winters. About 4 km past Tattapani, on the climb to Chindi, is a signboard announcing Shivji Ka Gufa. A 2 km detour brings you to a tea stall at Saror. From here, you take the footpath to the ancient, lingam-dotted cave, 750m away. The cave was discovered in the 1950s. This is god’s own private resort, with a gentle blue-green river, thick oak and pine forest.
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