By Air :-
Shimla can be easily reached by air. The place has its own airport at a place called Jubbarhatti, which is located at a distance of 23 kilometers from the main city center. Flights from New Delhi, Chandigarh and Kullu (another hill station) operate on a daily basis. Jagson Airlines is the flight that operates from these places on a regular basis.

By Train :-
The nearest railway station that connects Shimla to neighboring states is at Kalka. This place is located at a distance of 96 kilometers from Shimla. From Kalka, it takes around 6 hours to reach Shimla. The frequency of trains that ply from Kalka to Shimla is pretty good, with atleast 4 trains plying to and fro from Shimla. The journey from Delhi to Kalka is an overnight journey and reaches Kalka early morning. There are many tunnels en route with the longest being 1.2 kilometers long!

By Road :-
Shimla is well connected to neighboring places like New Delhi and Chandigarh through national highways. The journey from Delhi to Shimla by road takes approximately 8 hours. The highways are well maintained by the authorities and are a pleasure to drive on. There are many tourist buses that ply from neighboring places to take tourists to this beautiful hill station.

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Shimla originally used to be the summer capital of the East India Company. After India achieved independence, Shimla was declared the capital of Himachal Pradesh.

The hill station is surrounded by the hilly wealth of some rare flora and fauna. The sight of the rolling snow bound hills in between the white clouds is simply spectacular.

The summers of Shimla stretches from April to June. During the summers, the temperature of Shimla varies between a maximum of 28°C to a minimum of 15°C.

The Shimla weather during summers are very enjoyable as the weather remains mild and one needs to wear light cotton garments and light woolen clothes.

The Shimla climate during the winter is very chilling where the temperature swings between a maximum of 8°C to a minimum of 0°C and may even dip down below that level too.

It extends from December to February. The climate of Shimla in winter is highly dominated by the cold winds from the Himalayas. Snowfall takes place during the end of December when the cold becomes unbearable.

One has to wear heavy woolen garments. During the winters, the ice skating and the winter sports are of major attractions.

The rainy season in Shimla is between July to September. The average annual rainfall in Shimla is about 166 centimeters.

The best time to visit Shimla is either between April to August or December to January.

Know about Shimla weather in more detail.

Summer
Shimla has warm summers and the temperature never goes beyond 27° Celsius. The duration of summers in Shimla is from April to June. During this time, Shimla is overcrowded and packed with tourists, as temperature in the plains gets too high. The days are warm and the nights tend to get cooler. Thus, one is required to carry some light warm clothes for the nights. The variations in the diurnal range of temperature are starkly evident to anyone visiting the place. There is occasional rainfall during summers, though not too heavy.

Monsoons
Then come the monsoons that last from July to September. During monsoons, it is advisable not to visit Shimla, as the place is not too hospitable during rains. Monsoons are pretty heavy in Shimla. Being a hill station, there are too many instances of landslides occurring here. The temperature during monsoons drops considerably and ranges from 15° – 25° Celsius.

Winters
The temperature starts to drop here on and the monsoons cease to make way for winters. The cold and chilly winds from the higher ranges of the Himalayas lash the place and the temperatures can drop to sub-zero levels. The winters last from November to mid- February. The main attraction of winters is the snowfall that Shimla receives around the time of Christmas in December. Though transportation and accommodation is a bit of a problem during winters, yet tourists throng the place during December and January.

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From religion to trade, from seasons to sports – and month by month – here is a joyous celebrations of life. Shimla is a tourist palace of india. So the festivals of Shimla are also popular in India. Shimla is a hill station so the festivals are also different from other palace. Festivals of Shimla are divide in two part – summer festivals and winter festivals . Fair of Shimla are also very popular in all India. Fairs and Festivals in shimla and Himachal Pradesh: Pathar-Ka-Khel, Halog, Winter Sports Festival, Sipi Fair, Bharara Fair, Lavi Fair, Summer Festival, Mahasu Jattar, Rohru Fair.

Some Festivals in Shimla

Summer Festival
It is held every year in the month of May at Shimla. It is variety cultural function with performance of local folks, cultural program by school children and daily performance by some famous personality. It is held on the famous ridge ground.

Bharara Fair
This fair is held in village Bharara near Kumharsain and people of all castes and creed participate. The fair is held on the 1st of Jaistha(May), It is being celebrated from ancient times. Devta Koteshwar is brought in the fair and goats are sacrificed in its honour as a mark of respect. The fair is cultural and recreational and ‘Natti’ dances are performed. People also enjoy ‘Hindola’ ride.

Bhoj Fair
This fair is held in village Guman in Rohru tehsil in the month of November. for three days in honour of Devta Bansor, Parshu Ram and Kilbaru. Devta Bansor is the presiding deity.Beside paying homage to the deities ‘Natti’ dances are performed by the people. The fair attracts a huge crowd.

Sipi Fair
This fair is held every year in Sihpur below Mashobra on the 1st of Jaistha(may) in honour of Sip Devta. It is very old fair and the Rana of Koti used to be the chief visitor. Thousands of people of the surrounding areas participate in the fair. A goat is slaughtered in honour of the deity. Archery game is played besides several cultural programmes, variety shows, ‘Karyala’, Performance of the jugglers, magicians and acrobats provide additional entertainment to the spectators.

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The remarkable stain glasses
It still has those lovely stained glass windows for which it is so famed. The most remarkable one is that representing the virtues of Faith, Hope, Charity, Fortitude, Patience and Humility. But around the chancel window used to be a beautiful fresco designed by Rudyard Kipling’s father, Lockwood Kipling, who was the principal of Mayo School of Art in Lahore, though nothing of it remains today. It is interesting to note the brasses and plaques too that are present over here. One can discreetly have a look inside the church, or attend English-language services every Sunday during the tourist season.

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The temple is open round the clock. Nearby tourist destinations include Tara Devi Temple, Mahunag Temple, Summer Hill, Chadwick Falls, Prospect Hills and Kufri. Kamna Devi Temple can be reached from Shimla (5 km.) Nearest airport and railway station are at Shimla.

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Kali is a central figure in late medieval Bengali devotional literature. She also has a central role in Tantric literature. The goal of the Kali devotee is to become reconciled with death and accept things as they are. The more complex Tantric beliefs extends her role to an extent so that Kali becomes the Ultimate Reality(Brahman) and Source of Being. The goddess Kali is closely associated with the god Shiva, who is another major god of the Hindu religious pantheon. Kali is synonymous with many Devis’ (goddesses)- Durga, Bhadrakali, Bhavani, Sati, Rudrarani, Parvati, Cchinnamasta,Chamunda, Kamakshya, Uma, Meenakshi,Himavati, Kumari and Tara.

Kali was first mentioned in the ancient Hindu religious text of Rigveda. Kali gained prominence after she was depicted in the late antiquity Puranas. She is considered as a ‘jagroto’ or awake god by the Hindus

Kali Bari Temple was constructed during the era of the British Raj. According to historians, Kali Bari Temple was established in the early 19th century. The present temple was built by the British in 1845; however the original shrine was created by Bengali devotees.

Kali Bari Temple is very popular among Hindu pilgrims. The temple remains jam packed during Navaratras and Pooja holidays. Kali Bari Temple is in close proximity to the Shimla city mall.

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At 104 km. from Shimla lies the temple valley where you will experience the sacredness of temples as well as the scenic beauty of a valley. Along this valley you will find river Pabbar flowing in a majestic way and thereby increasing the beauty of the whole backdrop. It is because of this lovely setting, that the spot is considered as magnificent for picnic lovers. Hatkoti is en-route to Rohru.

Hatkoti Temple in Shimla in India is positioned at 105 km east of Shimla. The temple is dedicated to the Mother Goddess Durga. According to Puranas, this is the place where the gods are said to have fought a battle with the asuras (demons). In fact, the mother deity in the temple too, symbolizes a fight, for the bronze image of eight armed Goddess riding a lion with her spear and piercing the chest of the demon named Mahishasur.

Beside the Hatkoti Temple in Shimla in India, there is also a temple in the complex, which is dedicated to Lord Shiva (third of the Hindu Trinity of Creator-Preserver-Destroyer). There is a remarkable similarity between the architecture of both the temples. According to the historians, this appears to be the work of the Gupta period.

The ambiance in the temple complex is very quiet and tranquil. However, during the months of April and November, here you will get to see a fair being celebrated. At that time tourists flock at this spot.

History of Hatkoti Temple
Hatkoti is known as a valley of temples because of a number of reasons behind this such as this place is situated on the right hand side of the merging place of Bishkalti and Pabbar.Hatkoti is at a distance of 100 km from shimla and the temple is located in village Hatkoti of tehsil Jubbal distt Shimla.

Hatkoti Mata is regarded as the most powerful goddess among all the goddesses of northern India by the residents of Hatkoti..There is no written proof about the history of the temple but as we enter the premises of the temple the history diverts our minds towards itself, as there are a number of historic monuments in the temple which makes us remember about the Mabharata period. For example, there are five stone “Deols” present in the temple premises which makes us remember about the five pandavas. These “Deols” are decreasing in size, first one being the largest in size and then the decreasing ones. In the premises it’s a beautiful “Lord Shiva” temple having a large and beautiful shrine inside it, others idols present in the temple are also a proof a great architecture skills. The interior walls and roof of the temple have also been designed using great architecturing skills. The people of Hatkoti believe that the temple was established by Guru Adi shankracharya. Some people also believe that the temple was built somewhere in the Third era. Three Gupta Age’s Rock Edicts (in scripted stones) have been found at three different places of this ancient and historic place.

The fifth skandh of Bhagvat gita describes about Mata Hateshwari as : -
This shalok describes about Hateshwar and Hateswari is known as the Shakti of Hateshwar and hence this place is known as Hateswari, one of the main residences of Shiva and Shakti.In front of the temple of Mata Hateshwari towards the east direction is a small mountain known as a fort of Rambhasur.Rambhasur was the father of Maheshasur whom he has got as a reward of his prayers to Agnidev.He also went through a tough prayer of lord shiva and was rewarded by lord Shiva that his son would be un defeatable .Taking the advantage of this he captured the “Triloks” of the gods and betrayed them of all their powers.The defeated gods took shelter in the hard to reach places of pabbar valley and asked Mata Hateshwari to protect them from the devil.

On the demand of gods Mata Hateshwari killed Maheshasur and gained the name of “Maheshasurmardini” (destroyer of maheshasur devil)

The idol of Mata in the Temple is unexplainable. The artist has tried imagining the whole universe in this idol .the Idol is made up of a mixture of eight valuable metals. The idol is 1.20 meter in height. The idol displays the destroyer expression of Mata. (destroyer of maheshasur devil ).the interesting fact about the idol is that it changes its expression , sometimes it has a smiling face and some time it is in a angry posture, the idol has such effect on the devotee that he take off his eyes from the idol. On both sides of the idol there is something written in Brahmi script.Hatkoti is known as a valley of temples because of a number of reasons behind this such as this place is situated on the right hand side of the merging place of Bishkalti and Pabbar.Hatkoti is at a distance of 100 km from shimla and the temple is located in village Hatkoti of tehsil Jubbal distt Shimla.

There is a huge vessel type of a thing present near the entrance of the temple known as “charu” surrounded by chains it attracts the attention of people towards it self following one more story of its existence behind it. There is a huge hall in the temple premises known as “yagyashala” used to perform rituals. In the centre of the hall is a Hawan kund where the rituals are performed. The idols of Lord Brahma,Vishnu,Mahesh And Ganesha can be seen placed here There is a lot of sitting place available for the devotees .there is one more hall in the premises known as Satsang Bhawan which can adjust 350 devotees at a time Nearby is a rest house where the saints and devotees take rest. There is one more hall known as Dharamshala which is mainly used to store various things of the temple. The whole premise of the temple is covered by a 12foot high wall on all the three sides. It has two main doors one towards the east serving as an entrance to the temple and other towards the north side serving as a entrance to the Dharamshala.

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The temple has an interesting story behind it. It is said that long ago, there were many demons in the Himalayas who were proving to be a major distraction when the priests and saints used to meditate. They all prayed to the Gods above to send a powerful force to wipe the demons off. Hearing their pleas, the Gods decided to concentrate their powers on one point. A huge explosion took place and one could see a small girl child on that spot. This girl child grew up to be the force who destroyed all demons and was supposed to take repeated births to destroy any evil force on the face of the earth. The temple is dedicated to this great female power who was called Bhimakali.

The temple also has interesting tit-bits that are truly intriguing. In the year 1905, a powerful earthquake struck this place and the temple tilted to one side. However, it reclined back to its original shape after another tremor jolted the place! People say that there is a secret tunnel inside the temple that was used to reach a nearby village by the priests. In the year 1927, another temple was built right next to the existing temple, which houses a 200-year-old idol of Goddess Bhimakali.

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The origin of this temple can be traced back to around 250 years. It is said Goddess Tara was brought all the way from West Bengal to Himachal Pradesh. A King from the Sen dynasty visited this place after some years. He had brought along a small gold locket in which his an idol of his deity was encased in gold. He always wore this locket in his upper arm. The idol remained encased in that locket for many generations to come. One fine day, Raja Bhupendra Sen (of the 96th generation) had an unusual incident. While hunting in a dense forest, he had a vision of Goddess Tara along with Hanuman, who desired that she should be available for the public to pray and seek blessings.

Immediately, the Maharaja donated a big piece of land to build a temple dedicated to Goddess Tara. Thus, a temple was built and a wooden idol of the Goddess was installed for people to worship. After some more generations, Raja Balbir Sen had a vision in which the Goddess had wished that she be installed at the top of a hill known as Tarav Parvat. The Maharaja got a temple built at the top of the hill and got a beautiful idol made out of “Ashtadhatu”, a rare combination of eight elements. He got it installed in a grand fashion by taking out a huge procession and carrying the idol on the top of an elephant named Shankar. The temple stands in its entire splendor even today on this hilltop.

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