Shimleshwar/Shiv Temple Shimla,Himachal Pradesh
Shimleshwar Shiva temple is a private temple but not restricted for entry to all the devotees who would like to worship lord Shiva. The temple complex has other deities, god and goddesses, namely Hanuman, Ram, Sita and Laxman, Shitla mata besides two Nandi bulls. In the garbhagriha there is a Shivalingam and with just sufficient space for prikarma. The stone shivalingam is often covered with a beautiful sheath mask of brass depicting the face of Lord Shiva in human form.
Shimleshwar Shiva temple is the oldest temple around here which was originally constructed in the year 1785 (Vikrami Samvat 1842) by Sh Madan Giri.
This temple has been listed as heritage building. The name of the temple, as is often the custom in India, is after the place / city where it is situated, thus becoming and gaining the status of the presiding deity of Shimla.
Kali Bari temple, originally believed to be known as Shymala Devi after whom Shimla gained its old name as ‘Simla’ came into existence after Bengalis came here with Britishers in the year 1815-16. Jakhoo temple is also quite old in existence but no authenticated references prior to the existence of Shimleshwar temple are found anywhere. It seems this is the oldest temple in Shimla.
