Oberoi Wildflower Hall - Guide

Discover Wildflower Hall

The majesty, enigma and romance of the Himalayas, the highest mountain range in the world, is unsurpassed. In the ancient Indian epic, Mahabharata, the pilgramage of the Pandavas through the Himalayas is described "In a hundred ages of the gods, I could not tell you the wonders of the Himalaya," Unsurprisingly, the Himalayas have retained a unique place in India's spiritual consciousness since ancient times.

The mountainous state of Himachal Pradesh lies in the Western Himalayas, stetching over 500 km and made up of 16 ridges, divided by the river Sutlej. Bordered by Tibet and Kashmir towards the north and to the south by the Punjab, the region is comprised of some of the most amazing mountaineering terrain in the world. The Himalyas include not only the high altitude area of the Cold Desert but also the valleys of Spiti and Lahaul, with their severe, primeval beauty.

Mashobra sits amidst these impressive ranges, at a height of 2500 metres (8250 feet) above sea level. It is positioned on a traverse spur, renowned as Asia's greatest watershed with the water basins of the Indus on one side and the Ganges on the other.

The historic Hindustan-Tibet road begun by Lord Dalhousie in 1850 links Mashobra and Shimla and was finally completed at the turn-of-the-century during Lord Kitchener's era. The road carves into the side of precipices that plunge into deep ravines and through hillsides cloaked in impenetrable deodar forests, passing through vibrant roadside bazaars and the Sanjauli tunnel. The road was finally completed at the turn-of-the-century in Lord Kitchener's time. Mashobra¹s bustling, vibrant bazaar provides local people with everyday basics, while its fertile, terraced fields supply Shimla and the local area with fruit, vegetables and flowers.

The climate in Mashobra is temperate and divides clearly into four seasons. In the summer between April and June, wild flowers are abundant in the meadows, whilst the air is refreshingly cool and pine-scented. The rainy season between July and August is itself appealing with mountains shrouded in mist yet majestic sunsets. Between September and November the weather is fine yet bracing, whilst winter brings crisp sunny weather with invigorating snow.

The Mashobra spur is speckled with orchards, and houses dating from the turn-of-the-century boasting evocative names such as Fairlawn, Wildflower Hall and Apple Tree House. The ubiquitous shady glades, cool streams and flowery glens make it halcyon country ideal for not only camping and picnics, but also treks and river rafting.

The thickly forested slopes of Mashobra are within the Shimla Reserve Forest sanctuary. The indigenous vegetation includes cedar or Himalayan deodar, pine, oak and rhododendron, alongside maple and horse chestnut, broken up by variegated shrubs, wildflowers and grasses. Jackals, kakkar (barking deer), and the occasional leopard, make up the wildlife as well as abundant bird species such as the Himalayan eagle, pheasants, chikor and partridges. The state animal of Himachal Pradesh is the musk deer, and the state bird is the Munal pheasant.

Mashobra is ringed by the peaks of the Western Himalayas, and enjoys breathtaking views of its imposing surroundings. On a clear day, the views stretch across mountains of the Pir Panjal range in the state of Jammu and Kashmir and beyond across to Nanda Devi in the Garhwal region of Uttar Pradesh.

Mashobra was a cherished haven from the restraints of Shimla in the days of the British Raj. Its densely wooded hills and invigorating climate made it a perfect escape for both adventure and relaxation.

Mashobra's thickly wooded slopes made it an ideal retreat for those who enjoyed trekking and camping in the hills. Unsurprisingly it was a popular site for Raj picnics, the best known of which being the annual picnic during the vibrant Sipi fair in May. Cherished by Europeans and locals alike, a public holiday was granted for the day of the fair and most of Shimla, from the Viceroy to lowly officials, joined the outing.

Beyond Mashobra are the senic localities of Mahasu, Kufri, and Fagu. The charming Naldehra, a favoured camping ground during the Raj, lies approximately six km (four miles) away. Surveying a impressive grove of deodars, Naldehra is noted for its golf links covered with perfect, springing turf, and was often frequented by Lord Curzon and his family.