From Delhi
An
unexpected turn on the Kotdwar-Pauri road brings you to Lansdowne, a pretty hill station
in the Pauri Garhwal region of Uttaranchal. This beautiful retreat was popular with the
British who established a Garhwal Rifles cantonment here during the Raj. The town is well
developed thanks to the cantonment, yet it is charmingly unspoiled and tranquil.
Lansdowne
is set amidst lovely surroundings – tall oaks and blue pines rise like spires off the
mountainside. The forests are lovely, dark and deep, just ideal for those long walks and
picnics. There are amazing mountain views of the Western Himalayas from a number of
vantage pints like Snow View and Tiffin Top. A number of
treks into the hillside are launched from Lansdowne, which is a popular base camp. The
nature treks range from simple hiking trails of a few hours or one day’s duration, to
tougher climbs lasting a couple of days. Garhwal Tourism will organize these treks for
you.
Like
other hill resorts in north India, Lansdowne too has its fair share of temples and
shrines, most of them devoted to the various forms of the Mother Goddess. While you are
here, make a wish at Jwalpa Devi, 47 km from Lansdowne on the
Pauri-Kotdwar Road, or visit the Durga Devi temple (24 km from Lansdowne)
and the Tarkeshwar Mahadev (30 km) with its special Shivlinga. This
temple is one of the oldest Sidhpeeths in India.
Another
well known landmark is the Karnva Ashram, 14 km away, where Shakuntala is
said to have given birth to Raja Bharat, the forefather of the nation. The story of
Shakuntala and Dushyant has been immortalized by the poet Kalidasa in his epic,
Shakuntalam.
So come
and enjoy the Lansdowne magic and make this charming hill station one of your favourite
retreats. |
