The Apple Bowl of India

 The Apple Bowl of India 

When it is asked that which place is known as Apple Bowl of India then answer is  ," Kotgarh in Himachal Pradesh

The beautiful place Kotgarh is about 15 Km from Narkanda and about 80 Km from Shimla the capital of Himachal Pradesh. Kotgarh is called Apple Bowl of India due high quality of apples being cultivation from Kotgarh hills .

It was an American Citizen Semuel Evans Stokes who was later given the name "Satyananda Stokes"  started the cultivation of  high quality delicious apples in his orchard in Kotgarh Block .  Satyananda Stokes took part in India's freedom struggle as a Congress member.

Naldera Golf course

 The Oldest Golf course 

Of India ," Naldera in 

district Shimla." :-

Naldera Golf course 

The Naldera a very beautiful place about 23 Km from  Shimla , the capital of Himachal Pradesh and is about 13 kms from Mashobra is  known for its natural panoramic landscape and the oldest Golf course of India set up by Lord Curzon in 1905 .

Landscape at Naldera 

The place is picturesque but entry to the golf course is not allowed to visitors . It is permitted to members only 

 You can click photographs from out side.   Visitors can visit Nag devta temple and other lush green forests. 

Lord Curzon was used to visit this place frequently and enjoy the golf and relax at Naldera .

Kalka Shimla Toy Train

 Kalka Shimla Toy Train :-

View of Kalka Shimla toy train 

The Shimla was declared summer capital of India during 1864 as Shimla was favorable hill station of Britishers . At that time to reach shimla was difficult as the  construction of Hindustan Tibet road was started in  the year 1850 - 51. Its portion from Kalka to Shimla was completed in 1860  About 171 metre long tunnel was constructed beyond Sanjouli .The road was opened to vehicular traffic in 1860 . At that time road was dangerous , risky and more time consuming hence Kalka Shimla narrow gauge railway line  was proposed  to provide easy and quick  connectivity to Shimla ,thus  it was completed in 1903. This railway track is passing through more than one hundred  tunnels and 800 bridges ,

Beautiful view of Kalka Shimla railway track 

Lord Curzon  was the first who enjoyed the moments of first ride in November 1903 .. The track has about 96 Kms long journey through lush green forests and mountains , Sinse 1903 this toy train is providing the services to the visitors with a memorable journey .This toy train commences from Kalka about 656 feet above mean sea level and runs through tunnels and forests about 96 kms to reach at an elevation of 6812 feet above mean sea level at Shimla .

Baba Bhalku was a local saint , who with his supernatural engineering skills had helped the Britishers in laying down the Kalka Shimla railway trach . Railway department has set up a Baba Bhalku Rail Museum at Shimla to preserve the rich heritage of Kalka Shimla Railway Line . The museum was inaugurated on 20 th. July 2011 with a statue of Baba Bhalku at the entrance ,

The Kalka Shimla Railway line is an UNESCO  heritage site . Baba Bhalku had also rendered his services in the survey of Hindustan  Tibet road . The Public Works Department of British Government  had  awarded Baba Bhalku with the award of " Overseer "

View of Tunnel 

Kalka Shimla railway line  is having 18 stations namely  Kalka , Taksal , Gumman ,Koti , Sonwara , Dharmpur , Kumarhatti , Barog , Solan , Salogra , Kandaghat , Kanoh  ,Kathleeghat , Shoghi , Taradevi , Jutoh , Summer Hill and finally Shimla .

Kalka Shimla railway through beautiful Hills 

Narkanda , the Beautiful Hills in district Shimla

 Narkanda the Beautiful

 Hills in district Shimla  :

Shimla district in Himachal Pradesh is having numbers of tourist places which gives the feeling of relaxation , coolness and stress freedom to the visitors .

In tehsil Kumarsain at about 65  kms from Shimla on  Ambala Kauric National Highway ( Hindustan Tibet Road)Narkanda  a beautiful hill station is one of the tourists attractions . 

During winters it is almost experiences heavy snowfall and thus climate here is extremely cool but during summer the climate is very much pleasant .

Narkanda is about 2708 metres above mean sea level surrounded by sky touching , Lush green trees of deodar .

Tourists from all over India as well as abroad also visit this beautiful place because it is situated on the way to Spiti valley the cold desert of India  . The road from Shimla passes through beautiful forests covering the hill stations namely  Kufri , Mashobra , Fagu , Theog ,Matiana  . Buses and taxi services are easily available to visit these hill stations .

Hatu Mata temple is very much famous near Narkanda and tourists used to visit this temple . 

Heavy snowfall in winters causes road blockages many times  , though Himachal Pradesh public works Department always gets ready to clear the traffic with their men and machinery for the facilities of tourists .

The beauty of this place is picturesque and feast to the eyes on this beautiful planet . 

People of this area are very much helpful and are very nice . One must visit this place when ever visiting Shimla and Kinnaur   , Spiti valley Kaza , Lahaul valley  and Kullu valley . All these valleys are panoramic and attraction to the tourists .

Kufri the Hill station near Shimla

 Kufri the Hill station 

near Shimla 

View at Kufri with Snow 

Kufri at an elevation of about 2720 metres above mean sea level , 10 Kms from the Shimla is a tourist loving station on Shimla  Rampur road , ie  Ambala Kauric National Highway called Hindustan Tibet Road .It is a cool and peaceful location where tourists enjoy horse riding with their family and friends .

Beautiful Pictures of Kufri 

In winters it experiences heavy snowfall and the tall sky touching deodar trees make the location very much panoramic and attraction to the tourists.

Tourists at Kufri 

Kufri snow fall 

The tourists here can enjoy various activities like horse riding , Yak riding , sking,  Mahasu peak is a good one track. Tourists also enjoy the fun of tobogganing slide on snowy slopes . Kufri fun world is also one attraction. Here the lush green forest is nature 's gift which is very beautiful and ads to the grace of this place.

Skiing 

Yak Riding  tourists corner 

Himalayan nature park is there which tourists always getting enjoyment of their tours. So when visiting Shimla make your trip memorable with this panoramic site.

Tourists Place Shimla , You must Visit

 Shimla Himachal 

Pradesh You must Visit:-

Shimla is capital of Himachal Pradesh is one of the best tourist places in Himachal Pradesh .At Shimla there are many tourist spots , tourists visit from all over the country and abroad and enjoy the beauty and climate over here. 

Weather it summer or winter both the seasons are worth charming and enjoyable .

Ridge at Shimla , beautiful view during winters.

During winters the Shimla experiences snowfall in the month of December and January . During this period Shimla is covered with snow and it becomes feast for the eyes of lacs of tourists visiting Shimla from all over India as well as abroad.

The scenic beauty of Shimla becomes picturesque.

The Ridge ground can be seen full of tourists  with colour full dresses . Here Statues of our great leaders  show about their contribution to the nation as well to the humanity .

View at Shimla 

The statue of  Mahatma Gandhi The father of nation is bringing memories of past , this great leader visited Shimla many times to lit the light of freedom in the hearts  countrymen. The statue of Iron lady Shrimati Indira Gandhi the  ex Prime Minister of India on Ridge ground  is always getting back the memories that she announced the statehood to Himachal Pradesh as 18 th State of Union of India on 25 th January 1971. The statue of Dr. Yashwant Singh Parmar the founder of Himachal Pradesh and Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru the 1st Prime Minister of India is adding to the grace of Ridge ground Shimla. The statue of Lala Lajpat Rai at Scandal Point at Mall road is always getting back the memories of freedom struggle.

The Mall road Shimla 

The places worth seeing at Shimla are Indian Institute of Advance Studies in Chaura Madan , Ridge ground , Jakhoo temple , Scandal Point , Christ Church, Lakkar Bazar  , Rope way to Jakhoo , one can reach Jakhoo temple by this ropeway . The tall deodar trees  are very beautiful , adding to the beauty and climate of the Shimla . Out of Shimla there are many more tourist places which  will be discussed in the next posts . 

Indian Institute of Advance Studies Chaura Madan .

How one can reach Shimla :-  One can reach Shimla by air from Delhi , by Bus from Delhi , Chandigarh then Shimla . Small gauge railway track is also there which is constructed in 1903 between Kalka and Shimla .we would like to mention here one name "Baba Bhalkhu "  who had given his contribution in the survey of Kalka Shimla railway track. 

Beautiful Pictures of Shimla 

The Shimla as Capital :-

 The Shimla as Capital :-- 

The Shimla once  gained the importance due to its pleasant climate it became choice of British accordingly Shimla was declared Summer capital of India in 1864

Shimla Himachal Pradesh 

In 1871 Shimla was made the capital of undivided Punjab. There after Chandigarh was planned and in 1966 Chandigarh became the Capital of two states Punjab and Haryana whe reorganization of states took place and Chandigarh was made as Union Territory.

On 15 April 1948 Himachal was made as Commissioner's province and in 26 January 1950 Himachal Pradesh was given the status of C - state .  In 1956 Himachal Pradesh was made Union Territory and on 1 st November 1966 Vishal Himachal Pradesh was made by including hilly areas of Punjab in Himachal Pradesh .

Panoramic views of Shimla 

On 25 January 1971 Himachal Pradesh was made  18 th State of  India by the then Prime Minister of India . Hon' ble Prime Minister declaration took place when snow was hailing from the sky . 

The Shimla Himachal Pradesh , about Sarahan a famous Tourist place in Shimla

 A famous Tourist place , 

Sarahan in Shimla 

district  :-  

Panoramic View of Mountains from Sarahan.

Today we shall read about Sarahan a beautiful place in Shimla district which is heart appealing place .  I have visited this beautiful place many times . It climate is cool and apple and Babugosha orchards are an additional panoramic cover over the valley . Sarahan is a small town at an elevation of 2313 meters above mean sea level in Himachal Pradesh near the boundaries of Shimla and Kinnaur districts

I have spent complete two years in the foothill of Sarahan at Jeori . It is the place where a Memorial in the honour of those workers who have lost their lives in the construction of Hindustan Tibet Road . 

I was working as a Junior Engineer in Himachal Pradesh Public works Department and all the works of road maintenance from Jeori to Sarahan and new works of Jeori section were under me .

Mr. Vidya Sagar Agarwal was Junior Engineer at Sarahan at that time. After Mr Agarwal's promotion as AE Mr Rattan Lal Verma remained Junior Engineer at Sarahan. Er DD Thakur who later joined Electricity Board and retired as Superintending Engineer and I were at Jeori .

Mr Chauhan was assistant Engineer and Er. Swami Prakash Negi Executive Engineer all were having very good spirit of hospitality and work Cultural. I Katholu Jagori road via Gahnwin  was being constructed under the above Engineers . 

View of Bhima Kali Mandir Sarahan 

The Sarahan is about 22 km from Jeori and is well connected with Metalled road . We can  see at Sarahan Bhima Kali temple a best composition of wood and stone architecture, Stadium and tourism complex at Sarahan. 

The scenic beauty of this place is picturesque. The old name of Sarahan was Sonitpur ruled by Banasur who was killed by Praduman the son of Lord krishna. After the death of Banasur Praduman married with daughter of Banasur and become king of Sonitpur.So Late Raja Virbhadra Singh who remained Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh since 1982 to 2017 six times were from the dynasty of Lord krishna.

View of Sarahan 

At Shalabag near Sarahan there is a SSB camp , during the flowering season of orchards the valley looks like valley of flowers .Raja Virbhadra Sigh had played a very specific role in the development of Sarahan . Though Late Raja Virbhadra Singh is known as "Vikas Purush" had contributed in the development of entire Himachal Pradesh . Now a days The of Raja Virbhadra Singh Raja Vikramaditya is Public works Department Minister in Himachal Pradesh Government, very dynamic personality and has been interest in the development of the state .The Sarahan is about 177 km from Shimla on the way from Shimla to Kinnaur ( Recong Peo ) The roads to Sarahan bifurcation point is Jeori and we have many times covered this journey from Jeori to Sarahan on foot .

Panoramic view of Sarahan Mountains

The Sarahan always experience snow during winters .

The people of this area are very much cooperative , beautiful and trustworthy. I like this beautiful place . People from other parts used to visit This beautiful place .

The Shimla Himachal Pradesh, Brief Of the Past

The Shimla Himachal 

Pradesh Brief Of the 

Past  :-

Shimla district share its boundaries with district Mandi and Kullu in the North , Kinnaur in the East , State of Uttarakhand in the South and Sirmour in the West .

The elevation of Shimla district varies from 300 metres to 6000 metres from mean sea level, it's topology is rugged and tough in winter many parts of the Shimla district experience heavy snowfall .

Shimla as a district came into existence in 1972 during reorganization of districts.

In 1815 after the defeat of Gurkhas , they were forced to execute " Treaty of Sanjiuli" in which British retained the strategic forts of Kotgarh , Ramgarh ,Sandoch and Sabathu fort.

Gurkhas Fort Sabathu Himachal Pradesh 

District Shimla comprises of erstwhile 19 hill states namely:- Balson , Bushahr , Bhaji , Koti , Darkoti , Tharoch , Dhadi, Kumarsain , Khaneti , Delath , Dhami , Jubbal , Keonthal Rawingarh , Ratesh and Sungri. Bushahr was one of  the oldest state after Kashmir in western Himalayas.

According to a legend the Bushahr dynasty was founded by Praduman the son of Lord krishna. Praduman  killed the Banasur in an encounter  who was the king of Sonitpur now called Sarahan and married the daughter of Banasur and Praduman became king of Sonitpur.

The total area of Shimla district is 5131 square kilometres and district has  tehsils  to facilitate administration namely Shimla urban, Theog , Shimla Rural , Rampur ,Rohru ,Chrgaon , Kumarsain ,Kotkhai , Jubbal , Nerua , Seoni ,Chaupal ,Nankhari , Cheta , Tikar , Junga and Dodra Kwar .

The Shimla Himachal Pradesh, Brief Of the Past.

 The Shimla Himachal 

Pradesh, Brief Of the 

Past :- 

The Railway Track Covered with Snow a View 

In 1804 the Gurkhas , The period known as Anglo -Gorkha war, the Gurkhas suffered a severe defeat at the hands of Sikhs in the battle of Kangra Fort . They lost thousands of men and many more with diseases and commenced to ravage the states and hills surrounding Shimla .Gurkhas built many forts around Shimla .

Jutogh Cantonment area Shimla 

One of these strongholds forts was Jagatgarh which now a days is called Jutogh beyond Shimla  now military cantonment ,so Jagatgarh was the origin of modern Jutogh .

The Gurkhas by 1808

 conquered all the Fortified post between Sutlej and

 Jamuna valleys and started

 their ruthless rule with Arki as Capital on all the hill states at length until the people in their wretchedness requested British for help .

Action of British on Ruthless rule of Gurkhas :-  

On the request of people Major General Sir David Ochterlony was assigned the task with a small force to liberate the hill men from Gurkhas .

A call was given to the hill states chiefs to join the British forces against Gurkhas. Majority of the hill chiefs joined the operation and rivals were engaged in toughest battle which was fought at an  elevation of 3750 feet at Ramgarh fort in Nalagarh.  Decisive battle was fought at Malon fort .

The British superior guns  over powered the  enemy ended the dream of Gurkhas to rule over this part of land the battle ended on 15 may 1815 .

A decisive battle in which British superior guns Overpowered Gurkhas 

After few days and official declaration was made according to which all hill chiefs who had joined British forces in expelling Gurkhas were restored their land under British protection .

Maharaja Patiala who had rendered remarkable services to the British was also awarded the land in the neighborhood which  now comprising Shimla .

The Shimla , Himachal Pradesh . Brief of The Past

 The Shimla Brief of The Past :- 

Indian Institute of advance studies Chaura Madan Shimla 

LordCombermere in 1828 describes about Shimla , " The political agent had been established a summer residence at Shimla ,, a name given to two or three shepherds huts situated 24 miles north east of Subbathu beyond the British dominions and in the territory of native Ranee or fudal baroness, for the ruler of asmall uncultivated clusters of mountains can scarcely be dignified with the title of queen .

Christ Church Ridge to US Club Shimla Himachal Pradesh 

The climate of Shimla soon became famous : invalids from the plains resorted there and built houses,instead of breaking up of establishments and sailing for the Cape of Good Hope with little hope of reching it and finally Shimla was rendered fashionable br the goveror -general, Lord Amherst , who resided at Shimla with his family for several months and brought back to Calcutta rosy complexions and some beautiful drawings by Lady Sarah Amherst to attest the healthful and picturesque properties of the spot.

Panoramic view Shimla 

The lands  comprising the pergannah and the present Shimla belonged originally of Maharaja Ptiala and the Rana of Keonthal. As early as 1824 Eurojjean gentlemen , chiefly invalids from the plains , had with the due permission of these chiefs established themselves in this area , building houses on the sites granted them tent free ., and with no other stipulation than that they should refrain from the slaughter of kine and the felling of trees , unless with the previous permission of the proprietors of the land . The station became as sanitatium and in 1830 the government directed that negotiations should be entered into with the chiefs of Patial and Keonthal for the land deemed sufficient to form a station .

Ancient Building at Shimla 

Major Kennedy the then political agent  negotiated an exchange with the Rana of Keonthal for his portion of the land in the Shimla hills comprising thirteen villages and yielding a estimated revenue  of Rs. 987, making over to the Rana the pergnnah of Rajeen , yielding an annual revenue of Rs. 1289 which had been retained on the first conquest of these hills, as its position was considered to afford a good military position . A portion of of the retained pergnnah of  Bharaulie comprising of seven villages was at the same time made over to the Maharaja Patiala in exchange for his portion of Shimla yielding a revenue of Rs. 245 per annum. This ia as per settlement report of Shimla district by Col. E.G. Wace 1881-3