Shimla Streets to Jakhu Temple Memorable Journey
🏔️ From the Streets of Shimla to Jakhu Temple – A Beautiful and Memorable Local Shimla Journey
It was morning time. The clock was showing around 9 AM (13-Apr-2025) and I was in Shimla, the summer capital of Himachal, situated between beautiful hills. The light cold breeze, peaceful roads, and this city surrounded by mountains looked like an old dream in the early morning. The start of the day itself was so beautiful that the mind automatically felt happy. Today the plan was to explore local Shimla completely – those same places that we have seen in movies for years, but this time I wanted to feel them with my own eyes.
🏞️ Ridge Ground – The Heart of Shimla
The journey of exploring Shimla started from Ridge Ground. Located exactly in the center of the city, this place really felt very special. As soon as I reached here, it felt like I had come onto a movie set. Around me were old British-era buildings, an open ground, and the famous church visible in front – the whole atmosphere was very peaceful.
Because it was morning time, there was not much crowd here. In the calm environment, people were slowly walking around. Vehicles were moving on the roads below, but around Ridge and Mall Road, vehicles were not allowed. Everything here has to be explored on foot, and this is what makes this place even more beautiful.
The Hawa Ghar built near Ridge Ground looked very attractive. When I went up and looked around, I could see mountains in front, the city below, and the national flag waving at a distance – this view was something that I just wanted to keep watching for some time. Standing there and feeling the cold wind itself was very relaxing.
⛪ Christ Church and Old British Heritage
The yellow-colored Christ Church located near Ridge Ground catches attention even from far away. This church is quite old and looked extremely beautiful from outside. The old buildings nearby also remind you of the British period. The most special thing about Shimla felt like every corner here tells some historical story.
🍛 The Streets of Lakkar Bazaar and Famous Luchi Chole
Walking from Ridge Ground, I reached Lakkar Bazaar. On the way, horse riding was also happening, but because it was still morning time, there was not much crowd yet.
In Lakkar Bazaar, I saw an old shop – “Sitaram and Sons.” The Luchi Chole here was said to be very famous. I ordered a plate for ₹80. It had two luchis, chole, potato topping, and onions on the side. One flavor was slightly sweet and the other was spicy. I liked the spicy one more. Slowly, a line started forming outside the shop. It was easy to understand how popular this place was among people.
Nearby, I also saw a cap shop. After thinking for quite some time, I finally bought one cap. I was thinking that it would protect me from sunlight and would also be useful during the journey. Normally I never wear caps, but while travelling in the mountains, even small things suddenly become memorable.
🛕 The Climb to Jakhu Temple and the World of Monkeys
After this, it was time to visit Jakhu Temple. First, I thought of taking a taxi, but the waiting time was too much, so I decided to go on foot. The mountain road had a very steep climb, but the giant Hanuman Ji statue visible from the front kept the excitement alive in my mind.
On the way, I was advised to stay careful from monkeys. A shopkeeper there told me to keep glasses, mobile phones, and prasad safely because monkeys snatch things away. After some time, a monkey actually ran away with someone’s glasses. Then people tried to get the glasses back in exchange for a food packet. The whole scene was funny and also a little surprising.
After walking for around half an hour, I finally reached Jakhu Temple. In front of me was the huge 108-feet-tall statue of Hanuman Ji, which looked truly grand. Around the temple, the cold breeze and mountain views felt extremely peaceful.
😊 A Warm Unexpected Meeting in an Unknown City
While going for darshan inside the temple, I met some subscribers who had come from Pune. It felt really nice talking with them. In an unknown place between the mountains, when someone recognizes you with a smile, it gives a different kind of happiness. That small conversation of a few minutes made the whole atmosphere even more memorable.
🌲 The Peace of Jakhu Temple and the Feeling of Mountains
From the temple परिसर, mountain views were visible from all sides. Because of the height, the air felt even colder. The small garden in front of the temple and the monkeys roaming around gave this place a completely different experience.
🚶 Scandal Point and the Beauty of Mall Road
After coming back down, I again reached Ridge Ground and from there moved towards Scandal Point. From here, a beautiful view of Mall Road could be seen below. Old buildings, cafes, old showrooms, and people carrying goods on mountain roads – everything together was creating a completely different atmosphere.
While walking on Mall Road, I reached “Krishna Bakery,” which is a very old bakery. The staff there told me about their special snacks and “Kurkesh,” which they had prepared themselves. The smell around and the bakery atmosphere felt really nice.
🍽️ Experience of Local Food at Himachali Rasoi
Around 2 PM, I started feeling hungry, so I reached “Himachali Rasoi.” Local Himachali food is served here. I ordered the Mandiyali Dham Thali. Including GST, the half thali cost around ₹250.
The thali included black dal, sepu badi, kaddu khatta, rajma madra, kadhi, and a sweet dish. The special thing was that no onion or garlic was used in it. The taste of the food was very simple but completely different. A light coconut flavor could be felt in every dish. It felt like sitting and eating in a Himachali wedding or religious feast.
There, I also talked with people who had come from Mumbai and Surat. People from different cities, the mountain atmosphere, and local food kept in front – this moment felt really special.
🔱 Kali Bari Temple and the Story from Shyamala to Shimla
After this, I reached Kali Bari Temple. Because of Chaitra Navratri, there was a good crowd here. The temple was said to be around 200 years old. Inside the sanctum, there was an idol of Maa Kali, and nearby there were idols of Maa Durga and Maa Chamunda.
It felt good to know that earlier this place was called “Shyamala” and later the British started calling it “Shimla.” Between the mountains, the sound of temple bells and devotees created a completely different kind of peace.
🏛️ Advance Study – Some Moments Between History
Towards the evening, I reached the Indian Institute of Advanced Study, which is also called Viceregal Lodge. The huge heritage building looked extremely grand even from a distance.
Built in 1888, this building reminds people of the British period. Photography was not allowed inside, but from outside, its structure and the surrounding atmosphere looked very attractive. While reaching here, one funny thing happened – the cap that I bought in the morning was left behind in the taxi itself. It felt like the cap was meant to stay with me only for a few hours.
🌅 Tara Devi Temple – Evening Peace and Mountain Calmness
By evening, I reached Tara Devi Temple. It took around half an hour to reach here. The temple was situated at a height, and after reaching there, the view of mountains spread all around was enough to calm the mind.
The temple premises felt very peaceful. There was coolness in the air, and the mountains spread far away looked extremely beautiful in the light evening darkness. Sitting there silently for some time was itself an experience.
🌿 Those Nature Moments That Will Always Be Remembered
- Ridge Ground se dikhai deta open mountain view
- Hawa Ghar ki cold air aur door laharata Tiranga
- Jakhu Temple ki chadhai ke dauran mountains ka view
- Tara Devi Temple ki evening aur charon taraf phaili pahaadiyan
- Mall Road ki peaceful morning aur vehicle-free atmosphere
- Purane British-era buildings ke beech ghoomne ka experience
❤️ Emotional Moments of the Journey
- The small but memorable moment of buying a cap in the mountains for the first time
- Suddenly meeting subscribers and feeling a sense of connection
- Fun and laughter moments between the naughty activities of monkeys
- Feeling the local culture while eating Himachali thali
- Spending some peaceful moments with myself in the calm atmosphere of Tara Devi Temple during evening time
💰 Travel Expenses and Important Things
- Luchi Chole Plate — ₹80
- Jakhu Temple Ropeway — ₹500 per person
- Himachal Tourism Taxi — ₹30 for going and ₹30 for coming back
- Escalator Charges — ₹20
- Mandiyali Dham Thali — Around ₹250 (Half)
- Advance Study Entry Ticket — ₹30
- Inside Guided Tour Ticket — ₹100
- Hotel in Off Season — Starting from around ₹1000
- Hotel in Season — Starting from around ₹1500
🧭 Some Important Personal Experiences
- Exploring local Shimla on foot has a completely different fun.
- If planning to explore the whole day, it is better to book a taxi from morning itself.
- Himachal Tourism vehicles are quite affordable.
- The July monsoon season can be avoided.
- The highest number of tourists come here during May-June and December-January.
🌌 A Peaceful Ending Filled with Memories
Evening had already fallen. Slowly, darkness was covering the mountains, and the whole day’s journey was now turning into memories. This journey that started in the morning from Ridge Ground ended in the peaceful atmosphere of Tara Devi Temple by evening. Throughout the day, Shimla did not feel like just a hill station, but more like a city where history, nature, and peace walk together at every turn.
Some places were left unexplored, some paths still remained unfinished, but maybe this is the reason why mountains keep calling people again and again. The cold air of Shimla, old roads, the peace of temples, the beauty of Mall Road, and this day spent between the mountains became an experience that will be remembered for a long time.
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