For The Tourists

The Viceregal Lodge or presently known as Indian Institute of Advanced Study is a cultural heritage in Shimla. Still the largest in size and marvelous in beauty compared to British time, this Scottish structure was built under the vice royalty of Lord Dufferin between 1884 to 1888. It remained in use as the Viceregal Lodge till the Indian independence and later was handed over to Indian Government when it became the Presidential palace. In 1965 it was taken over by the Ministry of Education(Shiksha Mantralaya), who established the Indian Institute of Advanced Study here. The building has been the seat of the imperial government from 1888 to 1947. Before the Indian partition many important conferences and meetings took place in this building leading to the Independence. Shimla Conference in 1945 and Shimla Cabinet Mission in 1946 were the landmark meetings held in this house. A few parts of the building are open for public and tourists to visit. Kindly note the following instructions to make your trip memorable.

Location

The building is located at the Western end of the ridge, Shimla that is 3.5 kilometers from the main square. From the main entrance to the building near the parking lot, a gradual climb nearly 300 meters takes you to the top of Observatory Hill that is crowned by the lovely edifice. You are allowed to take your vehicle near the Main Building by paying a nominal fee of Rs. 10/- per vehicle per round. But you are not allowed to park the vehicle near the building due to lack of space. So your driver must bring the vehicle back to the main parking lot. When the tour is over you may call your driver to come up to pick you or you may choose to walk down the hill to the parking lot.

Tours Inside : 

-> Please maintain social distancing in the premises of IIAS.

-> Entry without a mask is strictly prohibited.

-> The Institute remains open for the tourists from 9:30 am to 5:00 pm (National holidays and Monday closed).

-> Guided tours are conducted for the tourists to understand the historic relevance of the building.The tickets for the guided tour (Inside ) are categorized into various slots, will be issued on a first come first serve basis.

-> The first tour usually begins around 10:30 AM and the last tour at 4:30 PM. Guided / printed tour time once missed will not be adjusted in any case in next guided tour.

-> In one group maximum 50 pax are allowed.

          -> Duration of the guided tour is 30 minutes.

-> All the tours are conducted by professional guides who have a thorough knowledge of the historical background of the building.

-> All tours are conducted in both the languages – Hindi and English.

          -> Lunch break timings will be either from 1 to 1:30 or 1:30 to 2 PM.

Entry Fee

Indian NationalsRs. 100/- each
Children (5-12) Yrs Rs. 50/- each
Senior Citizen(Indian above 60 Years)Rs. 50/- each
Foreign Nationals (Above 5 Yrs)Rs. 500/- each
Lawns & Gardens (Foreign Nationals)Rs. 50/- each
Lawns & Gardens (Indian Nationals)Rs. 30/- each
PWD (Persons With Disabilities)Rs. 50/- each

Tickets once sold will not be refunded or adjusted in next guided tours.

Your Guide

-> Your guide is the most important part of your trip inside. He/She keeps a complete knowledge of the building, its history and events. So kindly listen to them carefully and ask them question if any.
-> Kindly listen to your guide carefully and follow their instructions.

The Displays

-> Do not damage the furniture, fixtures, photographs, paintings, decoration-pieces and antiques inside the building as they are only for display and not for use.
-> The furniture, carpets, chandeliers, curtains are as old as the building are part of our Heritage. Kindly respect them.

The Security Guard

-> A security guard is also a part of the tour as he maintains the discipline to uphold the area of the building. He would be the last person to leave the room. In case you want to spend more time in the room, kindly inform your security guard.

Walking on the Lawns

-> The building is surrounded by the beautiful lawns. Beneath the front lawn a rain water harvesting tank has been built, so walking on the lawn is not allowed. Kindly use the pathway to enjoy the view of the building. The South West corner near the Tulip tree is the best place to capture pictures with the background of the building as a whole.
-> At the back of the building there are some lawns. Kindly avoid walking on the grass as it damages the beauty of the lawns.

Photography

-> Though you can capture the beauty of the monument from outside and frame lifelong memories.But photography inside the building is not allowed.
-> At the ticket counter lovely post cards are available for sale with the photos of the building. You may select them as souvenirs to add to the memories of your visit.
-> Any kind of commercial videography and commercial photo shoot is restricted in the premises of the Institute without the prior permission of the authorities of the Institute.
-> Flying any kind of remote operated devices such as Drones and toys is strictly prohibited within the campus premises.

Smoking

-> Smoking is strictly prohibited in the Institute.Visitors are requested comply with the rules and not to violate them. Anyone found smoking shall be fined with Rs. 500.

Littering around

-> Shimla is very neat and clean town. The administration manages the town and emphasizes on maintaining cleanliness. So please do not litter around.
-> Dustbins have been installed by the administration of the Institute in various places. Please make use of them.
-> Do not throw any empty packets, plastic wrappers, peal offs, plastic bottles or any other garbage on the road, down the hills or in the forests. Keep it with you till you find a dustbin and then dispose the waste.

Picnics

-> Picnics are not allowed on the premises of the Institute.
-> Eatables are not allowed within the complex.No camping is allowed in the forests around the building.

Fire Station Café/The Cafeteria

-> The building has its own cafeteria named "The Fire station Cafe" where tea, coffee and snacks are available for the visitors.
-> The rates are fixed for everything. Kindly insist for receipt after buying.
-> Highly research oriented books published by IIAS and souvenir items related with the building are also available here for sale.

Safety and Security

-> The building is safely guarded by the guards so kindly cooperate with them. It is always in your favour to listen to them and follow the instructions.
-> Do not climb on the wall or damage the plants.
-> Do not damage to the balustrades, retaining walls, trees or any part of the building. Anyone found doing so shall be suitably punished.
-> Arms, ammunitions,knives,smoking items, tobacco products, and liquor are strictly prohibited.
->In case of any accident of mishap please contact the security guard or any other staff member of the Institute so that the medical facility can be arranged.

Toilets and Washrooms

-> There are no toilets and washrooms inside the building for the visitors, but near the ticket counter there are separate washrooms for ladies and gents.
-> Sometime the toilets may be under maintenance, so kindly consult the person sitting on the ticket counter for the alternate.

At Last

-> Please maintain silence and strictly follow the rules.
-> Do not damage, remove or destroy historic sites or monuments, or any artifacts associated with them. Avoid touching and scratching the walls and surfaces of the monument as these are heritage sites and need special care.
-> Parking facility is not provided to the tourists inside the main gate of the Institute.
-> Take Nothing But Photographs – Leave Nothing But Footprints is the rule that applies to every tourist and so it applies on you too. Kindly follow it.