Himachal Pradesh

Jubbal situated in Himachal Pradesh this is the Headquarters of the erstwhile Princely State, Jubbal has a superbly maintained Palace which was designed by a French architect in the 1930 and is remarkable mix of European and indigenous styles.

This is one of the beautiful places which attract tourists from all over. This former hill kingdom is in the hills east of Shimal, near the valley of the Pabbar River, 444 km north east of Delhi. This is one for lovers of reclusive and exclusive natural retreats, connoisseurs of the eccentric a declectic with a yen for the good life. Headquarters of an erstwhile princely state, Jubbal’s newest claim to fame is its superbly refurbished palaceturned heritage property.

You almost expect to walk in and find a sleeping beauty, but it is snow white’s bane that is the fruit of this valley of temples. When your palate wants refreshing after the local dainties, walk into the region’s renowned orchards for a bite of the local crop non pareil apples.

You will be torn between the orchards on the slopes and the river nearby. If you are not that keen on nature, you could sample the thousand year old temples of Durga and Siva. Also consider the challenge of driving almost 22 km in the hills before setting out on shank’s pony to a mountain lake or tribal villages not linked by road.

A 3 half hours drive out of Shimla brings you to this fairy tale palace. Perched in a little hollow amid the hills, Jubbal Palace looks gingerbread enough to eat. Himachali Gothick, Architecture buffs can debate it through, but you won’t care once firmly ensconced in its art deco interiors.

Hatkeshwari Temple and Shiva Temple

The Hatkeshwari Temple is not one of those five-by-five bathroom-titled rooms that are passed off as “ancient” temples in tourist brochures. Locals believe the Pandavas first built this temple during their exile. However, experts date it to between 800 and 1000 AD. It was originally built in the Shikhara Style, but was later restyled by a ruler of the erstwhile Jubbal princely state in the late-19th century. It now looks like a two-story pagoda in slate and deodar wood. However, the sanctum sanctorum and the idol remain unchanged.

The Shiva Temple, though built a little later, actually looks older because of its stonewalls and the idols carved on them. Here, the restyling was limited to the roof andthe temple remains a squat, single story structure. Check out the five deols, or devalayas – small stone temples — to its left. They represent the shikhara style and remain unchanged. Hatkoti is a very small village and its inhabitants begin and end their day at these temples. VIPs and devotees from other parts of the state pass through from time to time. but crowds are practically unknown. Try not to miss the evening aarti. It is a very soothing experience, sans loudspeakers and bhajans that are parodies of Bollywood numbers.

Famous Palace Around Jubbal

Khara Pathar 9 km

Just before Hatkoti, Khara Pathar towers at 8,770ft. Apart from the apple orchards, deodars and pines crowd its slopes. A 7 km jeep track from here leads up to the Giri Ganga Temple, near the source of the Giri.

Rohru 31 km

Rohru is Shimla district’s apple hub and the hills surrounding this town and Hatkoti are covered with orchards. Though the best time to see ripe fruit is in April, a breathtaking sight of pale white blooms. Just be careful not to trespass.

A modest town 31 km beyond Jubbal, this is a major centre for the apple trade and has the only running HPTDC hotel in this belt. Rohru also has a temple dedicated to Shikhru Devta, a local deity.

Kotkhai 33 km

At a height of 5,774 ft, this is the point of entry to the apple country stretching past Rohru. But the major attraction in Kotkhai is its beautiful palace with exquisite, heavily cared wooden pillars.

Chirgaon 40 km

The motorable road ends here. Two small streams, Andhra and Gumma, join the Pabbar River. Adventure seekers can take off from here on a long trek to Dodra Kwar, the remotest village across the 13,845 ft Chansal Pass, which remains open from May to October. Chirgaon also boasts a trout hatchery.

Getting There

Road Ways: The only way to reach Jubbal from Shimla 97 km is by road NH22 via Kufri and Theog, then SH10 to Chhaila, 13km away, then on to Kothai, another 19km away, then Khara Pathar 24 km away an dthen another 9 km to Jubbal. The drive from Delhi takes 11 hours.

Nearest Railway Station: Kalka 191 km/ 6 hours. Taxi to Jubbal Costs Rs 2,000.

Where to Stay and Eat

The Jubbal Palace (Telephone: 01781-252001-02. Tariff Rs 4,500)

One of the most famous tourist destinations of India, Shimla located in Himachal Pradesh is a beautiful hill station. Also known as Simla, your travel to this place will be one event of your life that you shall never forget. This beautiful hill station derives its name from “Goddess Shyamla”, who is supposed to be an avatar of Goddess Kali. This lovely hill station was ‘discovered’ by the British who immediately fell in love with this place. Infact, they went to the extent of declaring Shimla as their summer capital. Read about Shimla tourism and know more about Simla travel.

Shimla abounds in natural bounty and looks picture perfect. The small hill station amidst the lofty snow-clad Himalayan ranges, surrounded by lakes and lush green pastures look as though an artist has painted them. The unique thing about Shimla is that it still retains its colonial charm and this creates an ambience that is not found anywhere else in India. Shimla is one tourist destination that can be visited any time during the year. Summers are warm with cool and pleasant evenings while winters are bone chilling and the temperatures can fall below zero. But this difference is what makes Shimla all the more special!

Shimla is full of tourist attractions that are worth visiting. They may intrigue some with their rich historical legacy and for some, they are the perfect places to indulge in some good photography. Shimla is a photographer’s paradise and you will find some of the most picture perfect shots over here. Read on further about the famous tourist attractions of this lovely hill station of India and plan your tour to Simla.

Mall Road Shimla

One place that you cannot ignore is definitely the Mall Road in Shimla. Located at the heart of the town, the Mall Road in Simla is one of the busiest commercial areas of this place. Built by the British during the colonial rule in India, the Mall Road was constructed keeping in mind the traffic on this route.

Shimla Ridge

Located in the heart of Shimla is the famous tourist attraction known as The Ridge. The Ridge is the hub of all cultural activities of Shimla. It is situated along the Mall Road, which is the famous shopping center of Shimla. Most major places of Shimla like Lakkar Bazaar, Mall, Scandal Point, Jakhoo hill, etc. are connected through the Ridge.

Annandale

Situated at a distance of 2 kilometers from the heart of the city, Annandale is a lovely picnic spot that is a major tourist attraction. One can relax and unwind over here and spend as much time as they want to.

Glenn

A thickly wooded forest, Glenn is a famous picnic spot that is located around 4 kilometers from the center of Shimla. The thick cover of the deodar trees makes this place a calm and tranquil locale. It used to be known as the playground of Shimla where racing, cricket and polo used to be the favorite pastime of the British.

Prospect Hill

Situated at a height of 2155 meters, the Prospect hill is a great place to visit and unwind in the natural surroundings. It is also famous for a hilltop temple dedicated to Kamna Devi.

State Museum & Library

The Shimla State Museum and Library is a famous tourist attraction that is located at a distance of around 2.5 kilometers from the center of Shimla. The museum is famous for is collection of ancient sculptures, paintings, coins and photographs. The museum has samples of the famous Pahari miniature art form, which ceased to exist when the Western art form took over. The museum should be visited by anyone who is coming to Shimla.

Summer Hill

The Summer Hill is located at a height of 1283 meters above sea level. This charming spot is famous for its university of Himachal Pradesh that is located here. It is said that Mahatma Gandhi used to come to stay here during his visit to Shimla.

Viceregal Lodge

The Viceregal Lodge is located at the top of Observatory Hills and was constructed by the British. This brilliant building served as the residence of the Viceroy, Lord Dufferin. It was completed by the year 1888 and it is still well maintained. This Lodge has now been transformed into the famous Institute of Advanced Studies and the six storey building still stands in all its splendor. The lodge has famous gardens and perfectly manicured lawns. The place is a very famous tourist attraction and must be visited.