India >> Uttarakhand >> Lansdowne

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An unexpected turn on the Kotdwar-Pauri road brings you to Lansdowne, a pretty hill station in the Pauri Garhwal region of Uttaranchal. 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. 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.

Eco tourism is a big thing in this pretty little hill station. The residents in Lansdowne firmly believe in preserving nature and the town is in spic and span. Considering Lansdowne is a cantonment town, the army influence is strong and cleanliness and discipline are adhered to by the residents even today. So watch it - don''t litter or you are liable to be pulled up by a resident!

Historically Speaking

Lansdowne owes its existence to the British who established a Garhwal Rifles cantonment here during the Raj era. They named this hill-station cantonment in honour of the Earl of Lansdowne, Sir Petty-Fitzmaurice, the Viceroy of India (1888-1894).The town is well developed thanks to the cantonment, yet it is charmingly unspoiled and tranquil.