subject: chandigarh to shimla taxi service [print this page] chandigarh to shimla taxi service chandigarh to shimla taxi service
Shimla which is a part of Himachal Pradesh in India was originally called Simla. The name Shimla was derived off the name of 'Shyamali Devi' who was an incarnation of Goddess Kali. The British used to call this place as the "Queen of Hills" and is today a prime tourist destination. Located near the north western part of the Himalayas, Shimla stands at an altitude of 7200 feet above sea level. Shimla experiences a good weather all year round with snowy winters and pleasant summers. The city that is adorned with forests of pine and oak is famous mainly for its Victorian architecture styled in a neo-gothic sense that reminds us of the colonial era.
Shimla was founded in the year 1819 by the British right after the Gurkha war. It was Charles Patt Kennedy who built the first ever summer home hear in the year 1822. Soon after that Shimla started to become the summer capital of the British Empire, soldiers, merchants and civil servants who moved here to escape the heat of the Indo-Gangetic Plain.
The railway line that was constructed between Shimla and Kalka in the year 1906 added to the immense migration and popularity. The railway line was an engineering feat, and came to be called the 'British Jewel of the Orient'. Shimla used to be the capital of the state of Punjab until the construction of the city of Chandigarh in 1871. It was only after the formation of Himachal Pradesh that Shimla was made the capital again. The Auckland house, Peterhoff castle, Vice regal lodge and the Gaiety Theatre are buildings that constantly remind us of the British rule in India. The hilly little town surrounded by snow capped peaks and green forests filled with oak and pine trees accompanied with buildings built during the colonial era poses a striking contrast between nature and manmade beauty.
Getting There
Shimla is easily assessable by Air, Road or Rail. Due to its popularity travelling to Shimla has been made very convenient for tourists in over the last few years especially. So, be it by air, road or rail, getting to Shimla is always something the tourists look out for.
By Air: Being the capital of Himachal Pradesh, Shimla has its own Airport at a place called Jubbarhatti. However since the airport is not large enough it can only accommodate turbo-props Dorniers. But, in case you are planning to fly through a jet, airbus or Boeing you would have to land at the airport in Chandigarh. Commercial flight service to the Jubbarhatti Airport is very limited with just about six flights a week travelling up and down between Shimla and Delhi which is handled by the Jagson Airlines. However, in case you are getting off at Chandigarh the options are no longer limited as most of the major airlines including Indian airlines, Jet airways and Air Deccan have flights operating to Mumbai, Delhi and Jammu. Due to the cold and chill weather in Shimla it is always a good idea to confirm the flights to the very last moment especially during the winter fogs as most flights are delayed. Once you have landed at the airport, one can hire a pre paid taxi and drive to Shimla. The Chandigarh airport is approximately a 4 hour drive so you may want to stop over for a quick bit at a good Punjabi Dhaba.
By Train: The nearest railway station to Shimla is at Kalka. Kalka is about a 6 hour journey from Delhi. Once at Kalka, one can take the toy train to Shimla. The views on the way are simply stunning, with the railway line passing in through 103 tunnels. However the fastest way to get to Shimla otherwise is to take the Shatabdi Express which departs the Delhi railway station early in the morning and arriving Shimla within the next 4 to 5 hours. You could also get off at Chandigarh and hire a taxi from here.
By Road: Once you reach Kalka, a taxi ride from here to Shimla can cost anywhere between Rs 1000/- to Rs 1200/-. There are many prepaid taxis right outside the airport and the railway station. However, the best way to get there is by driving on your own, the satisfaction of having driven all the way on your own is unbeatable. You can take the National Highway 1 from Delhi to Ambala and then take National highway 22 that leads to Shimla bypassing Chandigarh. There are many clean highway motels on the way one can stop at to use services like phone booth, restaurants, bar and toilets. Therefore travel by road is considered the best.
