mussoorie
Location: Garhwal Hills
Altitude: 2500 meters above sea level
Nearby Attractions: Lal Tibba, Gun Hill, and Kempty Falls
Excursions: Yamunotri Bridge, Nag Tibba, and Dhanaulti
Mussoorie is located in the Garhwal hills. Due to its immense natural beauty, Mussoorie is known as the queen of hill stations. In 1820 Captain Young from the British army was influenced by the beauty of this place and made this place his residence. This marked the foundation of a hill station called Mussoorie. The name, Mussoorie, is derived from plants of ‘Mussoorie’, which were found in abundance here. After its discovery, this hill station gradually developed as a center of education, business, tourism and beauty.
Mussoorie is located at a height of 2,500 meters in the green Himalayan range. Due to its location and beauty Mussoorie is considered as the best hill station in the northern region. The modern bungalows, malls and well-laid gardens, which are located on the small hills around the area, are enough to attract any tourist.
Mussoorie is an excellent respite for tourists and people who want relief from the hot sultry conditions of the plains. Nature has gifted Mussoorie everything, which makes a place beautiful. With the onset of summers tourists start coming here.
As heat increases in the plains number of tourist inflow also increases proportionately. Mussoorie is very close to Delhi, its overnight journey and one can return in one day. So, some people come here to spend their weekends. Also, the major Hindu pilgrimages like Kedarnath, Badrinath, Gangotri, Yamunotri, Haridwar, Rishikesh are not far from this place.
PRIME ATTRACTIONS
Tibetan Temple This temple is located in happy valley area of Mussoorie. Both Company gardens and Tibetan temple can be seen in one day. They are located one kilometer from Lal Bahadur Shastri National Administrative Academy. The Tibetan temple is evidence to rich Tibetan cultural heritage. This temple is sure to attract attention of tourists.
Lake Mist This place is seven kilometers on way to Kempty. Lake mist offers a perfect resting-place for tired and weary tourists. One has to pay Rs. 25 to enter Lake mist. There are good accommodation facilities here.
Mussoorie Lake This Lake is located some seven kilometers on the highway to Dehradun. The gateway of this lake appears to be welcoming tourists from Dehradun. The entry charge to this lake is Rs. 15. One can enjoy boating at this lake. One also gets a very good view of the Dun Valley from this lake. The villages surrounding Mussoorie can also be seen from here.
Lal Tibba This place is highest point in Mussoorie. Lal Tibba is located in Landour area, which is the oldest inhabited place in Mussoorie.
Gunhill is second highest point in Mussoorie. From Gunhill Mussoorie appears to be changing colours every other minute. Each moment a different scene appears before your eyes. There are many shops on the hilltop so one can have a small little picnic here.
Municipal Gardens The municipal or the Company gardens was previously (before independence) was also known as Botanical gardens of Mussoorie. Famous geologist Dr. H. Fackner laid these gardens in the last century.
Kempty Falls Kempty Falls are located 13 kms from Mussoorie. John Mekinan developed this place as a tourist destination after 1835.
Camel's Back Road This road starts from Link hall in Kulri Bazaar and ends at Library Bazaar. One can enjoy horse (pony) rides on this road or just walk down the path. The road is three kilometers long.
Charlieveli Hotel This was the first hotel in Mussoorie. Charlieveli Hotel was only hotel in India, which was under Queen Mary, who later became Queen of Britain. Since the last century till independence this hotel was very famous both in India and abroad.
Cloud End A British major had a building constructed in 1838. This beautiful building was converted into hotel and was named Cloud End. It got the name because it appears that the clouds have ended here. From this place one can have a good view of the valley. Cloud end is located some eight kilometers west of Mussoorie hills. Due to its location, at the end of horizon, it is very popular among the Honeymooners and Foreign tourists. Good place to take break from crowd.
Ven Chetna Kendra 2 kms from Mussoorie on Tehri bypass is a spectacular picnic spot called Ven Chetna Kendra. It also has park. The whole area is covered with Deodar forests and thick undergrowth. The main attraction of this place has been animals in the park. Taxi or bus can access it.
EXCURSIONS
Dehradun: Located 29 Kms. from Mussoorie, Dehradun is a must visit place.
Rishikesh: Rishikesh is known as the Tapo Bhumi or the place for meditation of the Gods. Rishikesh is one of the popular pilgrimages for the Hindus. At this place the Ganges leaves the mountains and prepares herself to begin a long journey through the plains.
Haridwar: Gateway to the four pilgrimages in the Uttrakhand region is located on the foothills of Shivaliks.
Yamunotri Bridge: This Bridge is located 27 kms from Mussoorie on the Chakrata road. This bridge is famous for fishing. But for fishing here one has to take permission from the Divisional Forest Officer, Mussoorie.
Nag Tibba: 55 kms from Mussoorie is very good place for trekking. Nag Tibba, as it is called, is the highest place around Mussoorie. Thick dense forests surround it. The actual trekking for Nag Tibba starts some 21 kms away from the place. The 34 kms journey from Mussoorie is done on Taxi or Bus and the rest is covered on foot. This trek has its own charm and fun. The trek starts at Thathyud. 7 kms from here there is the forest department’s rest house. To stay in the rest house reservations have to be done with Divisional Forest officer, Mussoorie. Note that there is no accommodation at Nag Tibba.
Bhadraj Temple: This temple is 15 kms from Mussoorie. Principle deity of the temple is Brother of Lord Krishna, Balram. Every year in the third week of August on Shravan Sankranti day a festival is celebrated here.
Dhanaulti: Dhanoulti is located 25 kms from Mussoorie on Tehri-Mussoorie highway. Here one has got good accommodation facilities. While going towards Dhanoulti, there is lovely green forest of fur and pine trees. These forests cover the Himalayan ranges lending them an unparalleled beauty. The fresh air and lovely surroundings fills you with enthusiasm and energy.
Sarkunda Devi: This place is 35 kms from Mussoorie. To access this place one has to go till Khaddu Khal by vehicle and then cover 2 kms on foot or on ponies.
Sahastra Dhara Located 14 km from Dehradun is the famous picnic spot called as the Sahastra Dhara. Noted for their astounding beauty the medicinal sulphur waterfalls are a great attraction.
Jhari Pani Falls: These falls are located some 8.5 kms on the Jharipani-Mussoorie road. Seven kilometers of the road to these falls is covered by taxi and rest 1.5 kilometers has to be covered on foot.
Dehradun - Mussoorie Trek
HOW TO GET THERE
The nearest Airport to Mussoorie is 60 kms away from the place. The airport is called Jollygrant Airport but there are no regular flights to this place. As such Mussoorie does not have a direct rail link. Dehradun Railway station serves for Mussoorie too. This station is linked which Superfast trains to other major cities in country.
From Dehradun one can hire a taxi or take a bus to Mussoorie. The queen of hill stations is well connected with roads with other major cities. There are regular bus services from various metros and other tourist destinations in Uttaranchal as well as from out side the state. Bus services are provided by State transports. There are conducted tours to Mussoorie too.
PLACE TO STAY In Mussoorie, one will feel shortened of accommodation options, except may be in the peak season and the variation include luxury, economic and budget hotels. There is tourist lodges and cottage accommodation also available over here.
SHOPPING Mussoorie is famous for wooden decorative and gift items. But one can also bargain brass statues and ceramic vases. Some good showrooms are located on the Mall where one can look for wooden boxes, brass statues, Tibetan Prayer wheels and vases. The hand carved oakwood-walking stick is also popular among tourists. In the markets, photographs can be clicked wearing a dazzling Garhwali Dress. To be photographed in Garhwali garb against a painted Himalayan range makes a wonderful picture.
Pure Ladakhi Shawls are bit costly but are worth a good purchase here. The antique Jamawar Shawls carry heavy price tags but they are worth having a look if not being purchased. Nowadays modern techniques are being applied in weaving these shawls, which has reduced its price.
TOURIST INFORMATION CENTRES
Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam Ltd. - Kulri Bazaar, The Mall (Near Ropeway) Mussoorie, Uttaranchal (India).
Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam Ltd. - 74 / 1, Rajpur Road, Dehradun-248001, Uttaranchal India
Uttaranchal Tourism Office - Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam Ltd., Chandralok Building, 36, Janpath, New Delhi-110001. India
Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam Ltd. - 432 / 4, New Civil Lines, Old Hyderabad, Lucknow - 226001 India
CLIMATE
Mussoorie is a hill station, which has pleasant climate around the year. It is a very cool place with greenery at its full bloom during September to November. The best seasons to visit Mussoorie are between April to June and again during September to November.
When the plains of North India experience heat waves, Mussoorie provides a welcome break. September - November is springtime here. During this season Himalayas are clearly visible. It is better to avoid monsoons as the roads to Mussoorie are in bad shape. Same thing applies for the winter when roads are blocked due to snowfall.
NEARBY CITIES
Dehradun:36 kms.
Haridwar:90 kms.
Dhanaulti:26 kms.
Chakrata:26 kms.
Gangotri:250 kms.
Rishikesh:77 kms.
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