I have been to Shimla twice, the last was about 9 years ago. from what i recollect, the place has gone down as far as the traffic is concerned U can’t believe that this WAS a HILL STATION. now its like any big city. for the peace and quite associated with hill stations, its quite a turnaround

That’s the state of almost every tourist location. Cause the number of tourists have escalated tremendously over the last decade. That’s these days ppl are seeking unheard and remote locations for some peaceful holidays.

However Shimla has and will be known as the most royal hill-stations in Northern India.

There is a woolen garments shop at the starting of Mall Rd, Dewanchand Ramsharan,I found thats the best for warm cloths.
But i like Mussorie the most,reason we have to go again and again for outing of my son during founders day at Doon.

My memories of Shimla are more than decade older. It was royally beautiful. I remember walking up the sloped road leading to our hotel and terrified of an army of monkeys sitting on the edge. They snatched food from my hands too :))

Climbing the steep steps,very tiring Deepa,shimla is not a very nice place now.I’ve seen your articles on envirnment and polution controll.You’ll not find good places now.If you want,then go to uper hills at Uttar Kashi,Joshimath[Auli],kedarnath etc in Uttarakhand.
Near you Yeoor is a good place near Thane
and Matheran,you know.

Shimla reminds me of the famous Baljees restaurant, It was a hot-spot amongst tourists. Also the open space outside the church...and the steps near the towm hall...wonderful memories!!

Good to know that people still find Shimla an adorable hill station. But sadly, you have to ask the locals like us who are witnessing a terrible change every damn day. Just today, I was coming back from the University towards my office and the amount of dust was unbearable. You could feel the mud in your mouth. Commuters had all turned muddy (to the delight of the car washers cropping up in every corner of the city). This is all because of the terrible roads of the state capital. The government is doing nothing to maintain the overall beauty. Good roads can do a world of good to the city.

Gosh!
Atul I did have an inkling that Shimla too would join the dirty, polluted, overcrowded city bandwagon. somehow the pristine beauty captured in Hindi movies like Love in Shimla is all lost forever. Thankfully my memories are still intact and will remember this hillstation for its clean crisp December air (i spent the New Years for 1998 over there)

”You could feel the mud in your mouth” - what are you saying Atul, is it that bad?

Yes Manish, the mud can be felt in the mouth and the city administration is not doing anything about it. The constant rains in the past few months worsened the condition of the roads and now the condition is such that you feel scared to hit the roads especially on two -wheelers. It isn’'t that the government isn’t aware. As always they are busy escalating funds and no one pays attention.

That sucks man! And it is known as Queen of hill stations. I wonder why municipalities and local govt can’t maintain what they have. With their economy dependent on tourists, they should try to not only maintain what they have but make it more tourist friendly (clean, better facilities, maintain roads etc).. bad yaar.

OMG, Atul is this the same Shimla you are talking of that I have visited 12 years back? I have always been envying you all who are stationed in Shimla. Some how your comment has reduced by jealousy lol. The pathetic condition of the roads isn’t any better in Mumbai too.

”I have always been envying you all who are stationed in Shimla” - that makes 2 of us Deepa.
After knowing about Insta being HQed in Shimla and people working from there, I have been myself dreaming of moving off to nearby hill station, maybe Khandala or even Goa... I can easily telecommute so should not be a problem.
But after reading what our friend Atul is saying, I am feeling less pained now :)
Sad that they are making mess of even Shimla...

Deepa,lets change the title ”........Not my kind of town.

Lol....yeah Vijay, I guess the author who penned down this article may change her title after coming across all this factual opinions.

Even when I was in Delhi, I could never visit Simla. I have a keen desire to move around the Himalayan valley. I just dream about the becautiful snowy landscapes with fresh green trees all around. I think you guys can guide me perfectly if I go to Simla. I must try to reach the places you have refered.

Hi Sasmita, living on the western end of India, I to have always been in awe of such picturesque locations up there in North.