From Delhi
Perched on a 15 km long horseshoe shaped ridge with the grand Himalayas as a backdrop is
the colonial hill resort of Mussoorie. This is one of the most popular hill stations of
the north, all the more so because of its easy accessibility from Dehradun. At heights of over 2,000 metres, the town has superb
views of peaks in the western Garhwal hills, including Banderpunch Massif at 6,316 metres
and Swargarohini at 6,252 metres. Trekkers begin their journey into the Hari-ki-Dun area
with its snowscapes and verdant-forested slopes from Mussoorie.The backbone of Mussoorie
is the Mall, where cars are not allowed during the peak tourist season. The Kulri Bazaar
is stocked with shops selling souvenirs, modern games arcades and India's largest indoor
skating rink.
Gun Hill, a curious flat-topped hill to the
side is the second highest peak of Mussoorie. You can reach it on foot or pony by a bridle
path from the Mall. A 400 metre ropeway takes you up to the hilltop with great views of
the Banderpunch, Srikanth, Pithwara and the Gangotri peaks. In colonial times, a gun
placed on the summit used to fire at mid-day for locals to adjust their watches.Clouds
End, the English chateau built in 1838 is tucked away about 8 kms of the Library. Now
converted into a holiday resort, the house is surrounded by dense forests with a view of
snow peaks and the Yamuna river.
Shops in the Landour market sell Raj
memorabilia, silver jewellery and books. At the top of Landour is a meeting point with
small cafes, where you can relax over a hot cup of tea and get filled in on local gossip.
3 kms west of the Library is the Tibetan settlement called Happy Valley, marked by the
Tchechencholing gompa overlooking the Doon valley. The Bhadraj temple is worth visiting
for its views of the Doon valley and Chakrata range.
So come to Mussoorie and experience the
special charm of this colonial hill station. |
