Srinagar Vs Shimla – A Holiday Paradise

Experience nature at its fullest. Visit a hill station to day!!

Since ages, hill stations have been considered as the ultimate tourist paradise. The majestic hills, the mystic clouds, the sparkling streams, the lush greenery, and the sublime tranquility around, provides the ultimate respite, unifying your body, mind and soul.

India is a land of majestic mystic beauty. Being home to some of the most glorious mountain ranges, lavishly spreading along its geography, such as the peaking  Great Himalayan range in the north  ,the Aravali Range in the East, the Eastern Ghats and the Western Ghats running through the countries eastern and the western borders respectively, India is home to  a number of  majestic hill stations offering a wide diversity of flora and fauna, with lush greeneries  and enchanting wildlife throughout. . It is also home  a vide variety of century old  exotic traditions and cultures that have since ages prospered the lives of people in Incredible India . They remain an ideal holiday destination thought the year, especially during the months of summers in order to  cap the scorching heat. . So go , take a  tour this summer to a hill station nearby  with your friends and family , and .accumulate indelible memories for a lifetime.
A comparative analysis, of two of the most sought after tourist  hill stations in India , based on landscape beauty, along with their other requisite details are  mentioned as follows:

 Srinagar:

Etymologically composed  from the combination of two Sanskrit words, śrī (Lakshmi) and nagar, which means “city”, Srinagar  is the summer capital of the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir. It is situated in the Kashmir Valley and lies on the banks of the Jhelum River. The river passes through the city and meanders through the valley, moving onward and deepening in the Dal Lake. Popularly referred to as the “Venice of the East” or the “Kashmiri Venice”, Srinagar is certainly a paradise on earth. It is a city that embodies romance and beauty along it. A jewel of a destination on the banks of the Jhelum River, Srinagar with its great lake and meandering rivers, its exquisite gardens and romantic shikara rides, the old-world charm of houseboats and the ageless grace of its architecture, is a fitting introduction to the many enchantments of the valley.

Srinagar attracts hundreds of tourists throughout the year to enjoy its snow clad mountains, colours of fall and greenery of the summers. The top 5 places to visit while on a stay in Srinagar are: 

        §   Dal Lake:

Popularly known as “Srinagar’s Jewel” the Dal Lake spread over a 26 sq.km. and is the most popular tourist attraction in Srinagar. Renowned for its house boats and Shikara boat rides, set against the slow clad glorious Himalayas, the Dal Lake continues to be on the canvas and subject of several poets and artists.

        §   Chasma Shahli Gardens:

The Chashme Shahi Gardens is a small beautiful garden, the smallest among the famous Mughal gardens. This garden, also known as Royal Spring, is located near the Nehru Memorial Park in Srinagar.

        §   Pari Mahal:

Pari Mahal or House of Fairies, also known as “Quntilon”, is a historic monument placed above the beautiful Chashma Shahi Gardens near Srinagar. The ancient monument brings out the architectural brilliance of the fore gone age.

        §   Shalimar Bagh:

Constructed by the great Mughal Emperor Jahangir in 1619 for his beloved wife Nurjahan, the sprawling garden with four terraces, imposing fountains, well laid out manicured gardens, tall trees and mountains is one of the must visit places while in Srinagar.

        §   Shankaracharya Temple:

The Shankaracharya Temple, known to be built by Jaluka, the son of Emperor Ashoka around 200 BC, is an ancient shrine located on the Shankaracharya Hill (Takht-e-Suleiman) in Srinagar. This sacred site offers splendid views of the valley and the snow clad mountains of the Pir Panjal range.

v  Popular Hotels with Ratings:

Some of the most popular hotels in Srinagar with their tariff  and rating are  listed below:

v  Best Time to Visit:

Srinagar has only two climates, pleasant summers and very chilly, freezing winters. Rainfalls are very scanty here. The best time to visit Srinagar is from April to October.

v  Nearest Railway and Airport:

Srinagar being a popular tourist hub is well connected by  both railways and airways. The nearest railway station is the Srinagar Railway station, connecting Baramulla to Srinagar, Anantnag and Qazigund, and the nearest airport being the Sheikh ul Alam Airport also knows as the  Srinagar Airport connecting the city. It is an international airport.

Shimla:

Popularly known as the “Queen of Hill Stations” Shimla or Simla, is the capital city of the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. The former summer capital of the British in India, it is  bounded by Mandi and Kullu in the north, Kinnaur in the east, the state of Uttarakhand in the south-east, and Solan and Sirmaur to the south. Shimla is a hub for India’s tourism  industry.  The city is blessed with all the natural bounties which one can think of. Its scenic location, surrounding lush green hills with towering snow capped peaks it has it all. Shimla still retains its colonial charm and ambience that is not found anywhere else in India.

Bulging at its seams with unprecedented expansion, Shimla retains its colonial heritage, along with its natural charm, giving it an appeal  worth interest grasping.

Some of the must watch epitomes of history and nature, to be witnessed while on a visit to Shimla are:

        §   Jakhoo Hill:

Jakhoo Hill is located at about 2 kilometers from Shimla, at an altitude of about 2455 m above sea level. Jakhoo is the highest peak in the area and offers a great view of the magnificent Shimla. There is an ancient Lord Hanuman temple at the top of the Jakhoo hill.

        §   Shimla state Museum:

Shimla State Museum is located at about 3 Kilometers Ancient Historical Sculptors and paintings of Himachal Pradesh. The State Museum was opened in 1974 consisting of the art objects mostly related to art, archaeology and the cultural anthropology of the Himachal Region as well as from the other states of India. The Museum has about 9000 objects in the collection at present.

        §   Summer Hills:

Summer Hill is located at about 5 kilometers and is placed at an altitude of about 1983 meters above sea level. Summer Hill is a beautiful township and a nice suburb on the Shimla-Kalka Railway line. The temperature during winter is very cold and freezing that you cannot see people outside. At other times the place is pleasant, particularly during summers.

        §    Christ Church:

Christ Church is a majestic looking church, located on the Ridge and is said to be the second oldest church in the whole of North India. Inside the church there are stained glass windows that seems to represent faith, hope, charity, fortitude, patience and humility. The Christ Church is one place that the visitors who come in to India should spend some time.

        §   Annandale:

Annandale is the flat terrain in Shimla and has been developed as the playground of the city. Annandale is located at about 2-4 kilometers away from the Ridge. It is favorite spot for Cricket Picnics, Golf and Polo etc. This is also the highest point and is quite rewarding as you can get the best views of the city and its surroundings.

Popular Hotels with Ratings:

Best time to Visit:

Shimla can be visited throughout the year, as each season has its charm. The snowfall during the winters attract many tourists and accommodation can prove to be difficult.  In the summers one can escape from the scorching heats of the plains and can enjoy the cool breeze at Shimla and in its vicinity. The best time to visit Shimla is during the months of April To August & December To January.

Railways and Airways in Shimla:

Shimla Airport is situated in the region of Jabarhatti in the state of Himachal Pradesh. This airport is made by demolishing the mountains and leveling the area to form a runway. Jatogh railway station is the nearest railhead which is located at a distance of 13.4 km from Shimla airport. You can reach railway station by the taxi service which runs to and fro from here.