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Tourists throng Shimla for New Year

     Shimla: Popular tourist place Shimla is bustling with visitors ahead of Christmas and New Year.Three extra services of the toy train, which is a major attraction for tourists here, have been started to accommodate the large number of people pouring in from all over. The historic Mall Road and Ridge of the town is buzzing with life as tourists loiter around the square basking in the sun and enjoying the scenic beauty of the region. "On this Christmas, I will be away from my wife and my family, and for this reason I know that Shimla is a place where I can feel the traditional feeling. It is the spirit of people being together and wanting to enjoy the season. It's about togetherness," said Daniel Charles, a French tourist. Christmas portals, with figures of Mary, Joseph, Melchor, Gaspar and Baltazar (the three wise men), the ox and the mule and baby Jesus were seen in churches across the town. "The biggest feature of the place is that people from everywhere, every religion, every nation, including foreign tourists come here to enjoy the Christmas," said Father Xavier Harold. Shimla, which used to be the country's summer capital during the British colonial rule, is one of the most popular and sought after tourist destinations in the country. Situated at a height of 2310 metre above sea level, it has been a favourite with tourists for its pristine beauty. More than three million tourists visit the state every year. Last year, 6.7 million tourists visited the state and it is expecting a 10 percent growth this season.
-Dec 24,  2006

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