Shimla one of the popular hill stations in India. Located in the north-west Himalayas at an average altitude of 2,205 metres (7,234 ft), the city of Shimla, draped in forests of pine , rhododendron and oak, experiences pleasant summers and cold, snowy winters. The city is named after the goddess Shyamala Devi, the hindu goddess kali. Temperatures typically range from −4 °C (25 °F) to 31 °C (88 °F) over the course of a year.
The important tourist places are the Jakhu hill which is about 2km from Shimla at a height of 8000 ft, offers a beautiful view of the city. Kurfi-horse ride 16km from shimla, it is also called small zoo. Local transport in Shimla is by bus or private vehicles. The Shimla Summer Festival, held every year during peak tourist season and lasting 3–4 days is celebrated on the ridge. The highlights of this event include performances by popular singers from all over the country. The temple nearby of Tara Devi is a place for performing rituals and festivals. Other prominent places of worship include a Gurudwara. Some of the food specialities of Himachal include paneer and Dal Makhni.