Nestled
in the Garhwal Hills, Mussoorie is an idyllic hill station with
stimulating views of the valleys below, snow-capped mountains, a skating
rink, a Mall set amongst the foggy mists and clouds. Its immense natural
beauty with lush greenery consisting mainly of 'Mussoorie' plants, so
charmed Captain Young from the British army in 1827 that he made this
place his residence and thus laid the foundations of a hustling-bustling
tourist destination of Mussoorie, which soon grew into a center of
education, business, tourism and beauty. Dotted with the modern
bungalows, shopping malls and landscaped gardens, Mussoorie is an
excellent respite for tourists who rush to Mussoorie to escape scorching
summers of the plains.
Location:
34 km uphill of Dehra Dun,
Mussoorie is placed at an altitude of 2000 m above sea level, amidst
the Garhwal hills. It is 259 km from Delhi and is spread on a 15
km-long saw-toothed ridge, which offers a breathtaking view of the
extensive Himalayan snow ranges in the northeast.
Significance:
Queen Of Hill Stations.
Climate:
It is spring in Mussoorie from September to
November. In summers, Mussoorie is a welcome break for those who
come here to escape from the heat waves of the plains but winters
are chilly with temperature ranging between 1°C and 7°C
and roads are often blocked due to snowfall. Monsoons in Mussoorie
are not so pleasant too.
Shopping Attractions
The best buys are oakwood walking sticks, hand-knit cardigans and
sweaters and Tibetan Prayer wheels and vases from the Tibetan Street
Market and woodcarvings, brass statues, ceramic vases and semi-precious
and precious stones from the shops along the Mall. The tourists love to
have photographs clicked while dresses in traditional Garhwali dresses
that can be rented from the shops here. The other popular items to shop
for are pure Ladakhi Shawls and antique Jamawar Shawls that are
expensive but are worth their price. One can also buy machine-knit
duplicates of these shawls that are cheaper.
Prime Attractions
Gun Hill
Gun Hill is the second highest point in Mussoorie. It offers
outstanding views of the town of Mussoorie, the beautiful Doon Valley
and the Bunderpunch, Srikantha, Pithwara and Gangotri group of the
Himalayas. One may opt for the invigorating ropeway ride from the Mall
to this hill or trek across a pathway, which forks off from the Mall
Road near Kutchery for about 20 minutes to reach the top.
Kempty Falls
13 km from Mussoorie, Kempty Falls on the Yamunotri Road are one of the
biggest attractions of the place. John Mekinan developed this beautiful
place as a tourist destination after 1835 as it had a breathtaking
waterfall, which falls from an altitude of 4,500 feet and then splits
further into five cascades.
Lal Tibba
The highest point in Mussoorie, Lal Tibba is situated in the Landhour
area, which is the oldest colony of Mussoorie. The tourist love to take
a horse ride or trek to the Childer's Lodge, the highest peak here,
which is worth the scenic view that it offers to its visitors.
Camel's Back Road
Another place worth taking a horse ride is this 3 km long stretch,
which has been so named as the road stretching from Kulri Bazaar near
the Rink Hall to Library Bazaar is shaped just like the humpy back of a
camel. At sunset, especially, the sheer beauty of the place in the
backdrop of the setting sun and reddish-yellow skies combined with the
thrilling experience of the horse ride on this humpy road is divine.
Jwalaji Temple
About 9 km from the town of Mussoorie, this temple is perched on top of
the Benog Hill and offers an excellent viewpoint. Meant for those who
are fit, temple is surrounded by thick woods and lush green forests. The
first 7 km can be covered on vehicle by road but the remaining 2 km have
to be covered on foot, though, one does not regret the pains, which is
entirely compensated by the natural beauty that abounds in the area.
How To Reach
By
Air:
The nearest airport is 59 km away
and that too doesn't have daily flights. Indian Airlines has five
flights a week from Delhi to the Jolly Grant Airport.
By Train:
Dehra Dun is the nearest railway station to
Mussoorie, 34 km away from the city. It is connected to major cities
with super-fast trains such as the Shatabdi Express, Mussoorie
Express, the Bombay Doon Express, Calcutta Howrah Doon Express and
Gorakhpur Doon Express.
By Road:
Mussorie is well connected by roads to Dehra Dun
and Delhi. One can get both private and government buses daily from
Delhi, Saharanpur, Nainital, Tehri, Gangotri, Uttarkashi and Dehra
Dun to Mussoorie. Mussoorie has three bus stands - the Library,
Masonic Lodge and Tehri Bus Stand.