Enjoy Shimla & Manali Sightseeing Places, Shimla & Manali

Enjoy Shimla & Manali Sightseeing Places

Are you planning a trip to a hill station? Shimla and Manali are two good options. Situated in Himachal Pradesh, it offers you superb landscapes of the majestic snow-capped mountains, the rippling waters of the rivers, and indoor and outdoor fun.

Shimla has the distinction of being the summer capital of the British in India and still has its own unique charm of the British era. It is still known as the Queen of the Hills.

The other town, Manali, is situated on the Beas River in Kullu District. In the past few years, it has become a very popular destination for honeymooners and backpackers.

If you want a holiday in Shimla and Manali, you can take a 8-10 days trip and visit and enjoy the charms of both places. You can also easily combine the two of them in an 8-9 days trip, in any order.

What to see in Shimla

1.      Christ Church

This church is located on the prestigious Mall Road. It is North India’s second oldest church after Meerut’s St. John’s Church. It stands out for its interiors and neo-Gothic style of architecture. Its stained-glass windows stand for patience, faith, charity, hope, humanity and patience. This architecture and design make it one of Shimla’s most highly-visited attractions in Shimla.

2.     The Ridge

Shimla’s most popular point, The Ridge is situated on the famous Mall Road, bang in the heart of Shimla town. This is a large open space where all kinds of cultural activities are held. Here, you can also shop for all kinds of artefacts and you can also enjoy the most spectacular mountain views. This road is lined with all cuisines of restaurants and it also has cafes and boutiques and upscale shops.

3.     Mall Road

If you want to shop in Shimla, you should be in the heart of the city, on Mall Road. Here, you can find the best of shawls, woollens, jewellery and much more. From here, you can also see Scandal Point and the famous Kali Bari Temple. On this stretch of road, you can enjoy the spirit of Shimla, what with its valleys and hills dotted with hotels and period houses.

4.     Jakhoo Temple

The Jakhoo Temple is Shimla’s most ancient temple, dedicated to Lord Hanuman. It is located on the highest peak here, called Jakhoo Hill, about 2.5 km east of the Ridge. It is built at an elevation of 8,054 feet above sea level. Each year, the temple celebrates Dussehra with a festival

Pilgrims can access this temple by foot, ropeway, horse or taxi. This temple also has the distinction of housing the largest Hanuman statue, which is visible from many parts of the city.

Apart from seeing these sights, you can also participate in adventure sports, winter sports and much more. Besides, there are many small picturesque towns within a few hours from Shimla like Chail, Mashobra, Kufri, Solan and Fagu. You can enjoy the picturesque beauty of these places and go hiking, trekking, etc. too.

What to see in Manali

1.      Hadimba Temple

Barely one kilometre from the city centre, HadimbaTemple is situated far away from the city’s hustle and bustle. It is set in the midst of tall and fragrant Deodar trees. The reigning deity is Hhidimba, wife of Bhima, one of the five Pandavas. Every year, a three-day Hidimba Devi Festival is held to which devotees from all corners of the world come here to worship. On this day, several dance performances of folk artistes are held.

2.     Solang Valley

About eight kilometres from the city center lies Solang Valley, sandwiched between the Solang village on one side and the Beas Kund on the other. It is a hot favourite among tourists and the locals. It is also known as Snow Point, the SolangValley is famous for its glaciers and snowscapes and for the many winter sports and adventure sports one can enjoy here.

3.     Rohtang Pass

About 16 km from the city center is the Rohtang Pass, a stretch that connects Manali with Himachal Pradesh’s beautiful landscapes of Lahaul and Spiti. The Rohtang Pass is a high mountain pass that lies on the PirPanjal Range of the majestic Himalayas, at a distance of 51 km from Manali. It is the link between Kullu Valley and Lahaul and Spiti Valleys of Himachal Pradesh.

4. Vashisht Baths

Just one kilometre from the city centre, you’ll find the famous Vashisht Baths. They are located inside Manali’s famous Vashisht Temple. These baths are hot water springs which are known to have medicinal value. People also refer to them as Vashisht Springs and for its medicinal waters; tourists visit it and take a dip in these waters to get rid of any skin infections and diseases.

These baths are at a distance of six kilometres from Manali and come with beautiful temples made of sandstone. Here, men can bathe separately from the women. Around the bath area, tourists can also shop for souvenirs and religious wares.

Conclusion

 A trip to Shimla-Manali is well worth it. Summer or winter, it’s unique and different and can give you all the enjoyment of a special holiday. So, plan a trip in the near future—you’ll enjoy it.

While most temples will leave you spiritually rejuvenated, there are a few where you can take a dip into hot water springs and baths, which leave you refreshed and maybe even healthier.