Mussorie- The Queen Of Hills
The Queen of Hills
Mussoorie is one of the most visited hill stations especially by north Indians and people from distant countries of the world round the year but the best season to visit is either summers or winters. However no one wants to visit the place during monsoon as it rains a lot during that time.
However Mussorie basically a hill resort which was founded by a British army officer Captain Young who developed it in a wonderful place for British officers who felt discomfort during the summers in plains of North India provides a wonderful experience and a different feeling those want a refreshing relief from the hot conditions of the plains in summers or experience the natural gift of watching snowfall rare in this part of the world and I love the place especially as it is close enough to my own city.
Ask anyone in this part of the world that you are going to Mussorie for a vacation he will be immediately feel envious and more so if happen to go in the end of December or beginning of January. Mussorie is better known as the 'Queen of Hills' which is a lovely hill station in Himalayas located near Dehradun situated in the range of 1900-2475 meters above sea level in Devbhumi of Uttarakhand, the Land of Gods.
A tourist should come to Dehradun first in order to reach Mussoorie which is situated at a distance of 35 km from the city of Dehradun Incidentally Dehradun, Rishikesh and Kotdwar are the main gateways to enter in the Garhwal part of the Uttrakhand state (where Mussorie is located). Incidentally, adventure loving people walk to Musoorie, about 9 km away from Rajpura road in Dehradun. The way is to Mussoorie is steep climb but a visitor never feels tired as he walks through the Tibetan monasteries situated on the way and the beautiful scenic beauty which can be viewed while traveling on the way towards up the hill.
The people who have visited Mussorie earlier, it has change during last 50 years or so particularly the city area but those who love to see the natural beauty must go to its surrounding areas having immense natural beauty and pleasant climate that instantly makes it a perfect place for a peaceful experience. However, the city itself has a lot to offer to visitors including the Mall Road, a library and a Church along with many shopping plazas.
As one enters the main Mussoorie town he finds himself on The Mall like all other hill resorts in north India, a road found in every city or town where British had their presence and which was specially designed for their strolling purpose. Mussoorie also has this road known as The Mall starting from British period cinema hall the Picture Palace to the other end where the Library stands as another famous building reminding the British period.
However, the best attraction most for visitors in Mussoorie is still the beautiful view and significant segment remains the hills and that also contributes the most for the town's revenue. Mussorie is one of the first choices of honeymooning couples in India.
Have a look at the tourists’ interest places in and around Mussorie at a glance-
Camel Back Road- The busies road in the town Camels Back is one of the major attractions for tourists as this 3 KM long road is shaped like a camel’s back. The road has many attractions for tourists as many Tibetans shops cater for the needs of tourists offering woolens and other gift items at a very reasonable price provided you know how to bargain for the lowest prices.
Jwalaji Temple- One of the most visited areas in Mussorie is Jwalaji Temple in Benog Hill also known as Beong Tibba which is at a distance of 10 km from main city situated at almost 2200 meter above the sea level. The temple’s main attraction is idol of Ma Durga. Visitors can enjoy the view of the Aglar River valley from temple also while walking the distance.
Nag Devta Temple – The famous among the tourists especially the local tourists is ancient temple Nag Temple or Shiva temple who is considered Lord of Snakes is situated about 6 km from main town on main highway to Dehradun.
Lal Tibba (hill) is another tourist spot of Mussoorie. Dhanaulti hill is a tourist spot about 32 KM away from Mussoorie.
Kempty Falls- The Kempty Falls, another tourist spot that attracts most visitors is situated about 15 km from the main city at a height of 1400 meters from sea level.
Lake Mist- This is another good picnic spot nearly 5 km on the way to Kempty Falls. The best thing about the place is that it has facilities for night halt and restaurants. People coming to this place enjoy boating in Kempty River flowing through besides Lake Mist has many more small waterfalls created naturally by the river.
Rope way- Rope way is one of the major tourist attractions for the visitors to Mussoorie that starts from Mall road and takes the visitors to Gun Hill. Incidentally, Gun Hill is the second highest point of Mussoorie, at 2000 meters from sea level.
Jharipani Fall- This is another natural fall located at about 8.5 km away from Mussoorie where visitors can easily reach by their cars, taxis and local buses.
Mossy Fall- Mossy Fall is located in the forest at a distance of is 7 km from main town with easy reach.
Bhatta Falls- This beautiful fall is located at a distance of 7 km from city again on Dehradun main road near a village called Bhatta where visitors can easily reach by car or bus up to village and then walk to fall at a distance about 3 km by foot. Bhatta falls is known for its beautiful ponds and enjoyment of bathing and water games mostly visited by picnic lovers.
Company Garden- One of the most visited places in Mussorie and a popular tourist destination Company Garden has a vast collection of flowers and plants.
Happy Valley has a small Tibetan temple, the first Tibetan temple built in India in 1960 by the Tibetans who came to India after Chinese invasion in Tibet as refugees
Mussoorie Lake- This Lake has been developed as a picnic spot by the local governing body which is located about 6 km away on main Mussoorie-Dehradun highway the pedaled boats being the main attraction of the place. The place is in a peaceful surroundings has lot to offer to visitors as natural sightseeing.
Van Chetna Kendra- The place is about 11 km from library side of the town is a bird sanctuary established almost 23 years before in 1993 having an area of 340 hectares. Van Chetna Kendra is mostly famous for the extinct bird Mountain Quail the ‘Pahari Bater’ an extinct specie.
Mussorie is well known for its institutions, some of them are-
Christian Institution the Landour Community Hospital a small mission hospital run by the Emmanuel Hospital Association, Delhi catering to the medical needs of the people on the hills for the last 75 years.
Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration, the training institute for officers of the Indian Administrative Service and other civil services.
Hampton Court School
Convent of Jesus and Mary
St. George's College
Woodstock School
Oak Grove School
Wynberg-Allen
Guru Nanak Fifth Centenary
Facade of St. George's College
St. George's College
Woodstock School's campus
Oak Grove School
Wynberg Allen School
Mussoorie International School
Sir George Everest's House Park Estate which was office of Sir George Everest, the Surveyor-General of India for a brief period as it was later moved to Dehradun the present capital of Uttrakhand in 1843. Incidentally, the world's highest peak Mt. Everest is named after George Everest. The House Park Estate is about 6 km from Library Bazaar. The tourist can watch the entire Doon Valley from one side of the road and from other they can see the view of the Aglar River valley and the snow clad peaks of the Himalaya.
The famous Cloud End hotel- It is surrounded by thick Deodar trees. It used to be residence of a British major and was one of the first four buildings of Mussoorie and has since been converted into a hotel. The place provides a wonderful atmosphere to honeymooning couples with peaceful and lovely surroundings and greenery in form of gardens full of flowers. I suggest everyone to visit this place if ever happen to be in Delhi or nearby areas as the place is within a distance of 200 KM.
Images source https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mussoorie
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