The ‘British Summer Capital’ – Situated in the heart of Shimla, The Ridge is the most photographed wide-open road located along the Shimla Mall Road. The Ridge has everything from shops selling some specialty artifacts to spectacular views of the snow-capped mountain ranges. It is famous for many things, but also for shopping and for being the social center of the city. The rich past of Shimla is evident from the Gothic buildings standing in this part of the city.
The street is lined with cafes, bars, boutiques, shops, and restaurants which attract the huge crowd that throng the famous Mall Road. It runs from east to west along Mall Road and connects it with the famous Scandal Point at the west end. At the eastern end, it is connected to Lakkar Bazaar, which is Shimla’s most famous wooden craft market.
Significance of The Ridge
The Ridge is an essential part of Shimla. Apart from being a cultural center, it houses the lifeline of the city – a reservoir with a capacity to store 1000000 gallons of water. These water tanks placed under the ridge supply water to the entire city. This water tank was built in the 1880s only with lime mortar.
Various government functions and fairs are also organized on the Ridge. It is the venue for all the major occasions held in Shimla. The most famous festival held here is the Summer Festival. The festival takes place during April or May, making the entire place a riot of colors and activities. It is a five-day festival and has been taking place every year since the 1960s. The major events in this festival are folk dance, flower show, food festival, ice skating festival, and Himachali film festival.
A winter sports festival is organized on the ridge. So Shimla is the only place that has a natural ice skating rink. The ice skating competition usually starts in December and lasts till February. The festival sees a lot of live dance and music.
Historical Structures at Ridge in Shimla
The great Mahatma Gandhi, Indira Gandhi, and Y.S. Parmar, the first Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh. The place houses a Tudorbethan-style library established in 1910. The ridge is also famous for its old Christ Church which was built in 1850.
Best Time to Visit Ridge
The ridge attracts tourists throughout the year. However, the best time to visit is from April to August and December to January. The summer festival can also be a great time to visit the place. The local authorities organize a summer festival every year. The ridge becomes the center of Shimla’s cultural activities during this period.
- Vehicles are not allowed on this road.
- Take care of waste disposal. Although a marketplace, the local people care about keeping the surrounding area clean.
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Frequently Asked Questions About The Ridge
Q. Why is Ridge Shimla famous?
A – The Ridge is famous for various government functions and fairs held here. It is usually the venue of all such gatherings and events. The most famous festival held on the Ridge is the Summer Festival.
Q. What is Ridge?
A – A long, narrow raised part of the surface, especially a mountain with a high edge: we walked along the narrow mountain ridge.
Q. Why is the ridge in Shimla called the Ridge?
A – Shimla is unique as an Indian city because it has a wide and traffic-free main road, which spans the length of the city. This pleasant open space is known as the Ridge as it extends the length of the ridge between the two hills of Shimla.
Q. What is the history of the Ridge?
A – The great Mahatma Gandhi, Indira Gandhi, and Y.S. Parmar, the first Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh. The place houses a Tudorbethan-style library established in 1910. The ridge is also famous for its old Christ Church which was built in 1850.
Q. What is a Ridge in Geography?
A – A ridge or a mountain ridge is a geographical feature consisting of a series of mountains or hills that form a continuous high peak for some distance. The sides of the ridge slope away from the narrow top on either side.
Q. Why is it called Scandal Point in Shimla?
A – Scandal Point is where Mall Road joins Ridge Road on the west side. The name arose from the uproar caused by the alleged exodus of a British woman with an Indian Maharaja. The story goes that the Maharaja of Patiala had eloped with the daughter of the British Viceroy.
