Shreya Jain

Raise your hands if you belong to the millennial generation and you have seen photographs of your parents and almost every relative having a gala time in the snow-clad mountains of Shimla. This largest city of Himachal Pradesh and Queen of Hills had always been on the top of the list since long. And why not, this very famous tourist attraction has never failed to impress anyone, whether it’s any domestic or any international visitor. This all-year destination not only allows you to witness some picturesque vistas but also allows you to enjoy amazing adventurous activities. Shimla is surely the place where every season has to offer something distinctive to everyone and that goes like this, have a look at which is the ideal time to visit Shimla.

Also Read: My trip to Kasol.

Best Season to Visit Shimla

Seasons	Month	Temperature
Summer	March - June	16ᵒ to 30ᵒ C
Monsoon	July - September	14ᵒ to 20ᵒC
Winters	October- February	8ᵒ to -6ᵒC

Shimla in spring and summer (March-June)

Spring begins in Shimla during March and lasts till April, whereas May and June are considered the summer seasons in Shimla. If you want to enjoy the right weekend getaway in pleasant weather, Shimla can be one of those places where temperature usually remains between 16ᵒ-30ᵒ C and the days are quite warm. One of the reasons that make visiting the place really enjoyable is the melting of snow that has transformed the place into splendid green terrain and full of colorful-blooming flowers.

Also, why the season is more loved by the tourists hailing nearby towns and states because it is really accessible and of course, the perfect way to beat the harsh sun rays. You can indulge yourself in some fun and adventure activities that include paragliding, trekking, camping and much more. The only problem you might feel is that the place becomes crowded during these seasons and people who are looking for peace and some alone time might not want to be there.

Shimla in Monsoon (July-September)

This season is usually not recommended to spend quality time with friends and family because the place receives heavy rainfall and becomes more prone to landslides. The time period may exceed till mid-October, thus if possible, try to avoid visiting Shimla till the same time. The temperature usually stays between 14ᵒ- 20ᵒC and is seen as the offseason but those who love adventure and are not afraid of taking any risk can explore the place. In Monsoon, the country is so beautiful, here are other weekend getaways which you can visit near Delhi.

Another advantage for them could be exploring the place on a low budget as a large number of people do not prefer to be there during monsoon. Also, if you’re this brave step to visit the place, do miss witnessing the Ryhali Festival, which is celebrated with great pomp and show, in order to express gratitude to the Rain Gods by making an offering to them for good agriculture produce.

Shimla in winter (November-January)

Keep your aim right, hit that big snowball towards your partner and capture some wonderful memories because winter season is here to spread its charm all around the place. Visitors and tourists often pay a visit to Shimla have experience of snowfall and to be amidst those beautiful snow-capped mountains. Though the winter season starts by in November, December and January remain the coldest when the temperature keeps hovering between 8ᵒ to -6ᵒC.

If you just want to experience some natural surroundings and spend some quality time at a new place, show your presence during the initial days of winter. However, you can celebrate the beginning of the New Year in the best way possible, if you visit the place as the season progresses. This is the time when you can let yourself participate in various winter activities, hiking or trekking in snow-covered mountains.

Hey there, I am back with another travel guide and this time I have been to this beautiful jewel of Rajasthan city- Pushkar. So, I’ll be sharing all my experiences while telling you what to do when in Pushkar, where to stay, how to reach and much more. But before we actually get into the travel guide, let’s get brief information regarding the history of this place. After all, if you’re truly eager to explore a place then why not learn every bit of it.

Brief History Of The Place

Well, the place is considered one of the 5 sacred places in India that are highly admired by the Hindus while the other four in the list are Puri, Badrinath, Dwarka, and Rameshwaram. The history behind how this 2000 years old city came into existence is- epics say that Lord Brahma put Vajra Nabh to death with a lotus flower and the petals of the flower drifted down to Earth in 3 areas in and around the place where lakes were created. It is even said the city is surrounded by 52 palaces and 500 temples.

Now, in the continuing section, I’ll be speaking about why and what makes this vibrant city one of the unique destinations in the country. Have a look.

What to do and where to go when in Pushkar?

Search the similar topic on Google and the first thing will pop on your screen will be visiting the very famous Pushkar Camel Fair. I’ll also get started with the same in order to build your curiosity that what else can be done when in Pushkar.

Camel Fair

For your information, Globalization hit India in 1991 but according to The Imperial Gazetteer of India, the globe reached this city in early 1909. So, this very popular camel fair takes place at the banks of Pushkar Lake, where around 50,000 camels along with thousands of camel farmers, traders, villagers, musicians, and gypsies show their presence from different regions of Rajasthan. I must say that the event is a must-visit as you won’t see any other place that allows you to experience the real colors of rural India and too that in the most organic way.

The beginning of the fair takes place with the buying and selling of camels and horses but the actual mood of the celebration changes of day 5. Real fun and entertainment part for people like us (who have nothing to do with the buying-selling process) actually starts from day 5 till day 8. During these 4 days, you can participate in tribal dance, camel race, mustache competition, and the amazing tug of war competition.

Now, come the last day of the fair when the local farmers and performers take a dip in the holy Pushkar Lake. Then, all the pilgrims seek blessings of Brahma. From where? That we will discuss in the next segment.

Brahma Temple

The answer to the above question lies here. Brahma Temple in Pushkar is one the very few and most-visited temples in the country that is dedicated to Lord Brahma. You would be amazed to know that there are just 5 historic temples in the world devoted to Lord Brahma and the most important one is situated in Pushkar. Well, I don’t know how you’re feeling right now, I am feeling blessed to be a part of this country who too got a chance to visit this holy place.

Dedicated Hindu devotees and other people from all over the country come here to pay their tributes to the God of Genesis. There are a few other temples that are a must-visit like Apteshwar Temple, Paap Mochini Temple, and Mahadeva Temple to name a few. The best part about visiting these temples is that they not only bring inner peace but will also take you through the history of the ancient lanes.

Desert Safari

Do not miss reading this section because I’ll be discussing one more thing that surely has a great connection with a desert safari. You must be aware of the 3 very famous cities in Rajasthan for Desert Safari: Bikaner, Jaisalmer, and Pushkar. And if you don’t know that already, Desert Safari in Pushkar is a 24-36 hour long venture and the major attraction of the safari is the local villages where most of the travelers visit to attend the rural wedding. Now, that was the connection I was talking about. The city of Rajasthan is known as the popular wedding destination and that’s what attracts a lot of married couples as they come there to relive their youth days and too that in Pushkar style. Thus, besides just visiting those sand dunes, try out this thing as well.

Kalbelia Dance Performance

Believe me or not, no matter how tired you are after the whole day exploring the place, you cannot stop yourself from shaking your legs on the Kalbelia dance beats. Well, this traditional dance performance is one of the best and sensuous dance forms of Rajasthan.

The performance is done by the Kalbelia tribe and trust me you can’t take your eyes off from their charm, the movements, and of course, their beautiful shimmery black attire. In fact, there are some hotels out there like Sai Haweli near Varah Ghat Chowk that arrange these performances within the hotel premises. When you’re on your way to explore a place then why not try out everything possible?

Sarafa Bazaar

I have this habit of bringing some special stuff from every place I visit, so as to keep the memory of that specific place and its vibes. Now, talk about Rajasthan and not having a picture of bright colors and all that mirror work in the mind is quite difficult. Move your steps towards the famous Sarafa Bazaar and Bada Bazaar in Pushkar that provides you with amazing Rajasthani handicrafts, jewelry, leather products, and textiles. Wait, don’t forget to bring beautiful wall hangings and colorful Rajasthani clothes from there because this is something you cannot afford to miss.

How to reach Pushkar?

Now, since we are done with some of the fun and entertainment activities to be done in Pushkar. Your next question probably can be how to reach this sleepy hamlet in Rajasthan. Well, the place is absolutely accessible by all modes of transport and you can pick any of the modes according to your convenience.

By Air

The nearest airport to Pushkar is the Sanganer Airport in Jaipur, which is 140km away. The airport has good connectivity to the main metropolitan cities like Delhi, Mumbai, and Kolkata. You need to hire or pre-book a cab or taxi once you reach the airport because it will take you around 3 hours to reach Pushkar.

By Bus

I would not really recommend taking this mode of transportation, especially to long-distance travelers. However, taking a bus from your city like Delhi to Ajmer and then to Pushkar is easily available. You can book your tickets for deluxe or semi-deluxe buses run by the Rajasthan State Road Transport Corporation that connects to Ajmer and nearby cities and will then drop you to Pushkar at a minimal price.

By Train

The nearest railway station to Pushkar is the Ajmer Railway station. You need to take a train to Ajmer and then drive to Pushkar, which is a mere 30 minutes from the railway station. Once you reach the station, get a taxi to reach your destination.

Self-drive

This can be one of the best options to reach your destination only if you live nearby, like in Delhi or Jaipur. Self-driving is undoubtedly the ideal way that makes your journey even more exciting. Remember that your vehicle is allowed to be entered in only certain places in Pushkar.

So, all in all, this was all about this mesmerizing place in Rajasthan. One thing I can assure you that when you visit this pond-sized peaceful place, the vibe will surely stay with you forever. I am sure you’re going to have an amazing experience in this desert state.