Mall Road is one of most crowded roads of Shimla, Himachal Pradesh. Mall Road was constructed during British colonial rule and is located below the ridge. Located at the centre of Shimla, it includes a number of popular shops, showrooms, departmental stores, restaurants and cafe shops. Mall Road also includes all the important offices of Shimla like the offices of municipal corporation, fire services and police headquarters.
Mall road does not allow movement of vehicles except the emergency vehicles. This provides an opportunity to enjoy an excellent walk throughout the Mall Road. Besides this, the Himachal Pradesh Emporium is also located at Mall road that offers handicraft products of Himachal Pradesh. The road is full of shops that sell woolen products, branded cloths, pottery items and jewellery.
Main Attractions of Mall Road
Mall Road connects a number of tourist spots in Shimla and those are:
Scandal Point: Scandal point is the place where Mall Road joins with the ridge road on the west side. The area is called scandal point after the rumour of supposed elopement of a British lady with Maharaja of Patiala during the British Raj. Presently the area is marked by the statue of Lala Lajpat Rai, Indian freedom fighter. Though it has nothing to do with the rumour yet it decorates the Mall road and scandal point that attracts the visitors.
Gaity Theatre: Among other attractions, Gaity Theatre is also located in Mall Road. This was inaugurated on 30th May 1887 which was the biggest place of attraction for the people of Shimla. The Theatre invited a number of popular film personalities who performed on this stage. Today the place is known as the Social Club of Shimla. It is often used for conducting art competitions by various schools in Shimla. Recently it has been renovated by the state government which is maintained in the original structure to preserve the heritage of the building.
Kali Bari Temple: Kali Bari Temple, dedicated to Maa Kali, is also located at Mall road which was built in 1845. The Kali Bari Temple has been the next popular tourist sight of Shimla which attracts a large number of tourists. A wooden image of Goddess Kali is worshipped in this temple.
Town Hall: Town Hall of Shimla is another major attraction of Mall road. Town Hall which comprises the office of Municipal Corporation is one of the heritage buildings of Shimla that reflects the pre-independence British architecture in Shimla. This building has also been renovated and preserved in its original form.
Thus, Mall Road, being the most popular hub, is the prime road of Shimla which connects every corner of the hill station. With a number of heritage buildings it attracts maximum number of tourists.