Walk on the Mall Shimla Dec 02, 2012

Going through memory lanes, Lakkar Bazar, Skating Rink, Ridge, The Scandal Point- The statue of Lala Lajpat Rai who, among few, initiated & ignited the Indian Freedom struggle, Walk on the Mall - still found well dressed folks walking in tandem, Middle Bazar, Nathu Halwai and successfully climbing the challenging numerous uneven steps was equivalent of conquering the Mount Everest at my age (young though)

The Mall attracts me like a lollypop to an anxious kid. After a lazy morning and relaxing for a while, we decided to go to Mall again.

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. 

The Fortune Teller uses his parrot Ganga Ram who comes out of the cage and picks on of the many write ups and tosses out to him who reads out to his customer.

The famous DAV Scjool where my cousin Roop studied

Most major places of Shimla like Lakkar Bazaar, Mall, Scandal Point, Jakhoo hill, etc. are connected through the Ridge. Read on more about the famous Shimla ridge in the following lines.

 Shimla at Day Time

Shimla at Night

The main water supply of Shimla comes from the huge water reservoir that is located in the Ridge. The Ridge is famous for the various government functions and fairs that are held here. It is usually the venue for all such celebrations and events. 

 Skating Rink

The Skating Rink was ever popular but not so colorful as today seen above. I regret I could not skate with the young crowd here.

The most famous festival that is held at the Ridge is the Summer Festival. This famous festival is held during the months of April or May and the whole of Shimla comes alive with colors and a riot of activities.

The most famous landmark of the Ridge is the Christ Church. This beautiful building is constructed in Neo-Gothic style of architecture. It is a famous tourist attraction of Shimla and should be visited when you come to Shimla.

In front of Christ Church

While passing through, I recalled DAV School where my favorite cousin Roop used to study. I would stand around here and go to Skating Rink while he was in the school and wait for his school to be over. 

I would stand lonely and supervise the erection of statue of Mahatma Gandhi on the Ridge in late 1950s. I feel proud to be a live witness to this art of historical monument coming into existence.

 In Himachal Royals

We were drawn by the colorful dresses of Himachal and went for a Photo Shoot in awesome sunny atmosphere. This guy Madan Gopal quickly converted us into Himachal Royals in a matter of few minutes. I am displaying his work in a separate blog.

Shimla, also known as Simla, is the capital city of the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh, located in northern India. The elevation of the city ranges from 300 to 2200 metres.Shimla is well known as a hub for India's tourism sector. It is among the top 10 preferred entrepreneurial locations in India.

In 1864, Shimla was declared as the summer capital of British India, succeeding Murree, northeast of Rawalpindi. After independence, the city became the capital of Punjab and was later named the capital of Himachal Pradesh. Shimla came into existence from 1st Sept,1972 on the reorganisation of the districts of the state. After the reorganisation, the erstwhile Mahasu district and its major portion was merged with Shimla. Its name has been derived from the goddess Shyamala Devi, an incarnation of the Hindu goddess Kali. As of 2011 Shimla comprises 19 erstwhile hill states mainly Balson, Bushahr, Bhaji and Koti, Darkoti, Tharoch & Dhadi, Kumharsain, Khaneti; Delath, Dhami, Jubbal, Keothal, Madhan, Rawingarh, Ratesh, and Sangri.

As a large and growing city, Shimla is home to many well-recognized colleges and research institutions in India. The city has a large number of temples and palaces. Shimla is also well noted for its buildings styled in Tudorbethan and neo-Gothic architecture dating from the colonial era.

Owing to its scenic terrain, Shimla is home to the legendary mountain biking race MTB Himalaya. The event was started in 2005 and is now regarded as the biggest event of its kind in South East Asia.

Finally, we also used a road side bench to sit, bask and watch all colorful people well dressed both men and women in their best outfits. Men often used pocket hankies on their Jackets.

On our way back we saw two identical horses for kid rides.

Local Grey stones appropriately on major city and governmental buildings

Local Grey Stone building which houses Municipality of Shimla City.

scandal Point

The story goes that the then Maharaja (ruler) of Patiala had eloped with the daughter of the British Viceroy. This had led to the Maharaja being banished from entering Shimla by the British authorities. He countered the move by setting himself a new summer capital - now famous hill resort of Chail, 45 km from Shimla.

A decorated Sentary

Lala Lajpat Rai statue also stands near the junction of Ridge and Mall Road

Here we get a chance to visit a small cute Gurdwara mimicking the Character of the city, small, bright and cute.

So much fun with so many people hanging around on the Ridge. Lots of 'Chat' shops everywhere. 

Shilpy's Famous Chaat Sahib

Amazing to see stone buildings as intact as they were earlier and proudly serving Public Offices of Town, including Police, Fire and courts etc. I could still see the steel road dividers on the Mall Road which made me often nostalgic as I never found them any where else. Holding hand in hand with Roop, I had enjoyed the walk ample number of times.

Enjoying English style tea with hot fresh veg Pakoras in the afternoon

It was now 4.00 PM and time to have a cup of tea, we picked up one of many Cafes to enjoy the tea which was typically served in a tea pot with separate hot creamer pot, sugar in cubes and a steel net to block the tea leaves.

                          A selfie 

                    108 ft  Hanuman Statue overlooking the Ridge  and the famous Christ Church the people have to carry their own goods and grocery for their homes and in the process remain trim and healthy. Walk to the school, walk to the office, walk to everything is a common rule. The hand carts are no more driven. Only Governmental emergency vehicles are generally allowed on the mall and Ridge. The city continues to be one of the cleanest in the country.