Mussoorie

MUSSOORIE

Mussoorie   is a hill station and a municipal board in the Dehradun District of the northern Indian state of Uttarakhand. It is located about 35 km from the state capital of Dehradun and 290 km north from the national capital of New Delhi. This hill station, situated in the foothills of the Garhwal Himalayan ranges, is also known as the Queen of the Hills. The adjoining town of Landour, which includes a military cantonment, is considered part of 'greater Mussoorie', as are the townships of Barlowganj and Jharipani.

Mussoorie, a picturesque hill station in the Northern part of India, was discovered in the 18th century by Captain Young. The British officials added to the popularity of this hill station, as they mostly visited it as a getaway from the heat during summer.

Mussoorie is located at an altitude of 2000 meters above sea level, on a horseshoe shaped ridge. This altitude gives the destination cool and pleasant climate conditions. Mussoorie is a lovely hill resort in the state of Uttaranchal. It is like a picture right out of your dreams! A paradise spread over a vast carpet of greenery coupled with a rich variety of flora and fauna, breathtaking views of the snow capped mountains and a town buzzing with activity marks a perfect destination for a memorable holiday. The rays of the sun reflecting on the snowcapped peaks, the valleys adorned with colorful flowers, and the gushing streams are a treat to sore eyes. No prizes for guessing that this hill station is known as the Queen of Hill Stations!

Mussoorie opens the path to Gangotri and Yamunotri, two sacred destinations known to be the origin of rivers Ganga and Yamuna respectively, flowing through the mountains into the plains.

MAJOR ATTRACTIONS

The Camel’s Back Road

True to its name, this road is a stretch of 4 km and is a natural layout of rocks shaped like the camel’s hump back. The Camel’s Back road originates from Library point and leads straight to the Kulri Bazaar, and is visible from the Mussoorie Public School. A perfect spot for morning and evening walks, this patch promises an enriching experience for those who witness the magic of sun rays on the snow capped mountains. Ideal for a good exercise, this stretch also enables a refreshing walk. For those already tired after long walks and treks, auto rickshaws and horseback rides are available easily.

The Cloud’s End

As the name suggests, the Cloud’s end is the end of Mussoorie. Located at a distance of about 6 km west of the Library, the Cloud’s end can be reached through the Hathipaon road from Happy Valley. Continue staying on your right till the road reaches a fork. Thick jungles cover the entire area, and a 2 km walk further up takes you to the Benog Wildlife sanctuary.This stretch promises a wonderful refreshing walk, with the vast spread of flora and fauna all around.  

Gun Hill

The history of Gun Hill dates back to the pre-independence period. It is said that a canon was fired from the Gun Hill every afternoon to help people know the time and adjust their watches. At a height of about 400 ft above the Mall, the Gun Hill now accommodates the water reservoir of Mussoorie. A ropeway ride can take   to the Gun Hill or you can take a bridle path that deviates from the Mall.  Tourists can capture a truly photogenic view from this spot, with the Mall and the snow capped peaks of Himalayas on either side of the hill respectively.

Kempty Falls

Kempty falls is one of the most popular and crowded tourist spots in Mussoorie. This is a perennial waterfall, plunging its way down about 40 ft from a mountain. Kempty Falls is the largest of the five cascades that emerge down from the mountains to flow down various huge rocks into the plains.

A visit to these falls is incomplete without bathing under the falls. Usually a crowded spot, you can escape the crowd and visit a more secluded place by climbing the steps lined along the flow of the stream, to find yourself in a rocky enclosure formed naturally by the stream. Get a feel of the cool gushing waters on your feet.

Jharipani Falls

A 6 km trek downhill from Mussoorie leads you to the amazing Jharipani Falls. Alternately, you can take the route to the Jharipani Main Market via St George’s boarding school. A refreshing thirty-minute walk from the market takes you to the falls and promises to leave you spellbound. Mussoorie’s famous boarding schools, namely, St George’s, Wynberg Allen, and Oakgrove are well packed within the estates of Jharipani.   Your life gets a breather in the pure and unpolluted environment of Mussoorie.

Company Bagh

The municipal garden, initially known as Company Bagh, belongs to the Happy Valley area. The gardens are a family retreat and entertain lots of families and tourists all round. An impression of old colonial gardens, the Company Bagh has a wide green carpet of neat and clean lawns and a fountain in the center.A lake, a recently created waterfall, and a nursery housing pretty plants are other attractions of this garden.

The Mall

The Mall is the heart of Mussoorie. A walk through the mall throws glimpses of the colonial period with the benches and lampposts lined up and is a beautiful experience. Being in the center of the city, one has to pass the Mall enroute to any place in the city.The 1980s style video game parlors, skating rinks, the Methodist Church are all attractions in this area. The skating rinks are popular among children and adult alike, and are charged at Rs 80 per hour. Fans of Ruskin Bond seeking his autograph should not miss the opportunity to visit the Cambridge Bookstore, where he is often seen.

HOW TO REACH

BY RAIL - Mussoorie has no railway station of its own. So one can get down at Dehradun railway station, nearly 60 km away and from there take bus or taxi to reach Mussoorie. Taxi services are available from railhead to Mussoorie and it costs about Rs 1500. Dehradun railway station is well connected to other major cities in India with super fast trains.

BY AIR - Nearest airport is Jollygrant which is 60 km away from Mussoorie and is situated in Dehradun. Jollygrant airport, Dehradun is connected to Delhi airport. Taxi services are available from airport to Mussoorie . Delhi is the nearest international airport which is 270 km away. Delhi is well connected to all major cities in India and many cities abroad.

BY ROAD - Mussoorie is well connected with excellent bus services of state public bus services Uttaranchal State Transport Corporation. From Dehradoon and from other major cities in India private bus services are available to Mussoorie and fare is about Rs 3 to 4 per kilometer. Mussoorie is connected with Delhi (270 km), Nainital (355 km), Dehradun (60 km) and Garwal (135 km) by deluxe tourist bus services.

Darjeeling

DARJEELING

Until the early part of the eighteenth century, Darjeeling was under the king of Sikkim. Later Gorkhas invaded the region and annexed the area, which they eventually lost to British. The British used the place to escape the heat and found the strategic importance of the area. They, hence, developed the area as a hill station and tea-growing area. Darjeeling is well known for its tea industry and eco-tourism.

Darjeeling is thought to be derived from the word Dorjeeling, which literally means 'the place of Dorjee' the majestic thunderbolt. Some believe that the thunderbolt belongs to the Lamaist religion and some believe that it belongs to Lord Indra.

Timber, tea, and tourism underpin the economy of Darjeeling. The tea plantations were originally developed by the British. Oranges and cardamom are also available in plenty. Traditional arts and crafts of Tibet and Sikkim are the products available for shopping. Traditional Tibetan and Sikkimese food as well as other Indian cuisines are available.

Rain can be expected any time in a year. Summer and spring are the two seasons most popular with the visitors. Darjeeling is a famous destination for Bollywood and Bengali film shooting.

The most popular and ubiquitous mode of transport is a four-wheel drive. Land rovers, especially, are the choice of tourists. They can easily serpentine through the steep and sometimes narrow roads of the hill.

Several local festivals are celebrated throughout the year. The festivals are colorful and the visitor should ensure that they are in Darjeeling to take part in the celebrations of one of these festivals.

MAJOR ATTRACTIONS

KUNCHENJUNGA

Kanchenjunga is the third highest mountain in the world (the first two being Mount Everest and K2), standing at an altitude of 8586 m. There are five peaks in Kanchenjunga. If you watch Kanchenjunga from the Observatory Hills, you might be deceived that the mount is a calm and serene upheaval of ice and snow.

In reality, rock and ice avalanches more often thunder this ostensibly serene mount. There are not any direct routes to the mount. One has to try various indirect routes, probably starting by ascending any one of the five peaks, then finding any possible place for camping, and attempting the summit. As hardship it may give, a visit to Kanchenjunga is memorable.

OBSERVATORY HILL

The Mall road originates and culminates at the Chowrashtra. The hill atop the Mall is the Observatory Hill. This hill is attached to strong religious faith and great importance both for the Hindus and the Buddhists.

The sacred Mahakal temple rests on this hill; Mahakal is considered to be the incarnation of Lord Shiva. The Bhutia Busty Gomba was originally situated in this hill and later relocated to the current place. Thus the hill serves as a witness to the harmony between the Hindus and the Budhists.

Bhutia Busty Gompa is a monastery situated just under a kilometer out of Darjeeling. Kanchenjunga provides a spectacular backdrop to this monastery. This monastery is a branch of the Nygpama sect’s Phontag Monastery in Sikkim. It was transferred to Darjeeling in 1879.

The monastery houses a well-stocked library, which contains many old Budhist texts. The Bhutia Busty Gompa is in the C. R. Das Road. The shrine in the Gomba is originally situated on the Observatory Hill. The ill-fated monastery was ruined by the massive earthquake in 1934; its existence is attributed to the munificence of the late Raja of Sikkim.

 BATASIA LOOP

It just below Ghoom and is engineering marvel . This site afford a spectacular view of Darjeeling , with Kanchenjunga in the background. There is also a war Memorial.

CHOWRASTA

It is the heart  of Victorian Darjeeling and hub of commercial activity . The famous Mall Road originates here and studded with hotels, restaurant, shops, and stalls. Tourist can enjoy a  leisurely ride on horse.

GHOOM MONASTERY

Called Sakya Monastery, the monastery in Ghoom is located 8 km from Darjeeling. Sakya monastery is a historic as well as significant monastery of the Shakya Order. The original monastery was built during the early twentieth century.

The monastery can accommodate around sixty monks. The statue of Maithreya Buddha  ), which is 4.57 meter high, of this monastery is of interest here. The monastery also preserves some of the rarest Buddhist manuscripts.

DARJEELING TOY TRAIN

The Darjeeling Toy Train made its first journey in September 1881. The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway has acquired UNESCO’s endorsement as a World Heritage icon in 1999. The journey starts from Siliguri and at Chunamandi the train comes to its z-crossing, starting the zig-zagging or reversing in order to attain higher elevation. Sensation corners, which are nothing but loops, are excellent viewing points.

A journey in the toy train crisscrosses the motor road and passes through bazaars, leaving a long-lasting memory to the visitor. The journey takes approximately eight hours to Darjeeling from New Jalpaiguri.

DARJILING ROPEWAY

One of the most beautiful attractions of Darjeeling, the passenger ropeway starts at North Point, about 3 km from town. This is India's first passenger ropeway. This ropeway, which is 5 kilometers long, connects Darjeeling with Singla Bazaar on the Ranjit River at the bottom of the valley.

HOW TO REACH

By Rail - The nearest rail is New Jalpaiguri. This is well connected to most of the major cities in India. The town of Darjeeling is approachable from Siliguri, nearly 80 km away, by Darjeeling Himalayan Railway also known as Toy Train.

By Air - The nearest airport is Bagdogra near Siliguri, which is at a distance of 93 km from Darjeeling. The taxi fare from the airport to Darjeeling is about Rs 1200. This airport is connected to Kolkata, Delhi and Guwahati. International travelers can get connecting flights from Kolkata or Delhi. Both are well connected with many cities in India and abroad.

By Road - Regular bus services connect Darjeeling with many cities in and around Darjeeling. Siliguri, Kurseong, Gangtok and Kalimpong are well connected by private vehicles also.

Ooty Or Ootacamund

OOTY

Ooty, also known as Ootacamund, is the Queen of hill stations and the  situated  in  Nilgiris district. It is one of the most popular tourist resorts in India. Ooty is also a land of picturesque picnic spots. This place used to be popular summer and weekend getaway for the Britishers during the colonial days. It is situated at an altitude of 2,240 mt above sea level.

An added attraction for the tourists is the mountain train journey on a ratchet and pinion track which commences from Kallar, near Mettupalayam and wends its way through many hair-raising curves, fearful tunnels and chugs along beside deep ravines full of verdant vegetation, gurgling streams and tea gardens.

One can notice a marvelous change in vegetation, as one goes from Kallar to Coonoor. The establishment of numerous tea estates made Ooty famous. Lofty mountains, dense forest, sprawling grasslands and miles and miles of tea gardens greet the passengers on most routes.

The annual Tea and Tourism Festival attracts crowds in huge numbers to visit the place and have a great time in this wonderful place. The environment is so wonderful that is invites a lot of tourist attraction who come here to enjoy a wonderful time with nature while staying close to huge landscape.

MAJOR ATTRACTIONS

 Ooty lake

Ooty Lake stays in the heart of Ooty with its L shape construction. It is the best place for boating and the summers are primly wonderful. Several boat races are conducted and people have a wonderful time enjoying the sport as such a wonderful place on earth. The function is well planned and organized and there is a huge crowd gathered around the lake at the time of the race.

The boat houses is the place where the people reside and its also a great experience staying in a boat house. There are a few children parks where the tourists can halt and have a wonderful time with kids. The means of conveyance stays to be horses and ponies and horse ride is the favorite sport for anyone visiting the place.

Botanical Garden

 It's the best garden ever known in India and is a great tourist destination. It is located on the hillock of Ooty which is one of the most popular tourist destinations in India.

It has a wide span of more than 50 acres and is spread along the Dodabetta peak, which stays to be the highest peak in the region of Ooty. The garden is taken great care of by the government and the Horticulture department and has a wide variety of plants and trees.

It has been lovers point and has been appreciated by all kinds of people alike. May stays to be the best time to visit the place, and there are several programs organized by the local crowd so as to attract the tourists to visit the place.

The thread garden

The thread garden at Ooty is a popular tourist spot that showcases some of the most exquisite collection of artificial flowers and plants, all made by the expert hands of the skilful artists by using just thread.

Antony Joseph, the mastermind behind this unique creation along with his 50 proficient helpers has worked constantly for 12 years, to create these marvels of thread. Approximately 6 crore meters of embroidery thread have been employed in the creation of this one-of-a-kind attraction in the world. Also be assured that not a stitch of a needle or any other machinery have been used in the production of these flowers.

Stiff cardboards for flowers and petals, steel and copper wires for stem were meticulously used along with varied colors of threads to create these visual delights. Here you can find more than 150 varieties of artificially made flowers which promise to remain fresh for a long long time to come.

 

Rose garden

Rose garden is the heart and soul of city of Ooty. The construction is so beautiful and there are small tunnels made wherein the roses are planted in tunnels.

This botanical garden stays to be the best flower show of the century and it has the highest amount of rose production in the country. Different kinds of roses are grown in all colors and sizes, incorporating different hybrid quality like tea and miniature roses which are gathering great footing in the market place these days.

The roses grown in the Botanical garden are best sold at higher prices in the market and stay longer and are best for the bouquets to be created and are a great memorable gift for the beloved.

Doddabetta peak

Doddabetta peak is the highest known peak in the region of Ooty and its altitude stays to be more than 2,623 meters in height. It actually stays in the suburbs of Ooty and is hardly 10 kms from the place. Ooty being the hilly place, the areas in the suburbs can too be easily captured in the camera and the hillock as well as the valley is indeed a great sight seeing place. It is a wonderful place for shooting and capturing nature's scenic beauty in the camera and forecast it to the people all around the globe. The hilly regions of Mysore and the open plain lands too can be easily captured in the camera and it is the best place to take a shot

Kamraj sagar lake

Kamraj sagar lake is a dam and is located in the suburbs of Ooty. It is situated far away at a distance between the woods and greenery all around and hence is a great picnic sport for the people. There is a wide variety of herbs and shrubs available in the terrain and is a good sport for picnic as well as it has been a great sport for the people to capture the scenic beauty in the camera. Several good movies are shot in the neighbourhood on the open roads and on the slopes of the Wendlock sagar.

The waters are highly cold and one can have good experience fishing in the place. Fishing industry has flourished there and the chief food available is fish and rice, and one can stuff ones belly in all varieties cooked from the fish.

Pykara Lake

Pykara Lake and the fall are on the path going from Ooty to Bangalore and are situated close to mudumalai. The lake is a wonderful example of nature's beauty and is a paradise on earth. One would definitely love boating in the wonderful lake and the pykara falls close to the lake is a fantastic place where one can enjoy photography.

Several movies have been shot at this place and there is a dam in the suburbs, which provides water to the people in the neighbourhood. There is a wonderful bridge in the place where one can enjoy the shooting and photography too.

St. Stephen Church

St. Stephen Church is the Gothic church of the place and is one of the best known colonial structures of Ooty. People gather in church and offer sacred prayers from the bottom of the heart. The true feelings of the people reveal the fact that still somewhere on earth, the God is still alive.

The church was constructed and carved totally from wood and is the best architectural model from wood. The coolness in the church is wonderful as the whole place is made of wood. It's indeed a great experience staying a closet made from the pure wood obtained from Tipu Sultan's palace and was brought at this place with the aid of series of elephants.

Travel to Ooty on exotic ‘Nilgiri Toy Train’ to enjoy the plethora that nature holds for you. The slow train ride uphill connects Ooty from Mettupalayam, a serene town lying on the foothills of the Nilgiris. The train began its first service in 1899 and since then the bliss has continued. At the speed of 33 kms per hour, this fairy ride covers a distance of 46 kms beginning from Udhagamandalam and takes around 4 and a half hour to reach Ooty.

A traveler on this route can experience a varied geographical scenario ranging from the 7 kms long rice fields that turn rocky and rugged for the further 27 kms. From then on, the route is dominated by 13 tunnels and 26 viaducts. The train reaches Coonoor after a steep climb and reaches the highest point of the journey, i.e. 2128 m above sea level. Soon after, the train takes a downhill turn which provides excellent views for photography.

 

How to Reach

BY RAIL - Mettupalayam, which is 47 km away from Ooty, is the nearest major railway station. There are regular train services from Coimbatore and Chennai to Mettupalayam. Mettupalayam and Conoor are connected to Ooty with toy trains .Taxis are available from Mettupalayam to Ooty and fare is about Rs 1000.

BY AIR - Coimbatore airport is the nearest airport and is around 105 km from Ooty. A number of private airlines give provide services to Coimbatore. Coimbatore is well connected with many south Indian cities by air including Chennai, Bangalore, Madurai and Hyderabad.

BY ROAD - Ooty is well connected with all most all south Indian cities by bus. There are regular bus services from Mysore, Bangalore, Madurai, and Kanyakumari and also from many cities in Kerala. State owned and private vehicles ply on this route. Many tourist services providers offer package trips to Ooty from many south Indian cities..

Shimla

SHIMLA

Shimla is the famous hill station of the world and the capital of Himachal Pradesh. It is situated at a height of 2100 mtr.  This beautiful hill station was discovered by a British officer, Lt. Rose and was named after Goddess Shamla. Shimla was favourite  hill station of the British and was the summer capital of india during the british raj.

Shimla has wealth of natural beauty and the locals are privileged to live in such panoramic locations. This place can enamor anyone with its beauty.

Shimla has a lot of variety to offer. Shimla is an ideal place for fishing, golfing, skiing, trekking etc. Adventuring here which definitely make you enthusiastic and spirited. For more energetic entertainment, hit the indoor roller-skating ring in Lakkar Bazaar or go open-air ice-skating above the Rivoli Bus stand. There are always wonderful things to be explored in its surrounding countryside. Fagu, Kulfri and Naldhera are some of the well- known places for adventuring and camping too.

Long walks in the deep green woods will give you a shining feeling. The Shimla Ridge gives  a wonderful view of the sunset which is beyond words. Tour to Shimla  offers with its natural charm and enable   get closer to nature. One of the attractions of this hill-station are its apple trees. The sight of a cluster of apple trees with leave you dumbstruck.

  Shimla is engulfed by snow-covered mountains, green pastures dense forests and wholesome climate. These overall conditions draw tourist to this hill station. The toy train ride from Kalka station to Shimla takes   through a picturesque route.

MAJOR ATTRACTIONS

JAKHOO TEMPLE

 Popular as the ‘Hanuman Mandir’ among the localities of Shimla, the Jakhoo (or Jakhu) Temple has been on the ‘must visit list’ of most travellers. It is frequented by the devotees of the ‘Pawan Putra’ – Hanuman. One would get to hear about different versions of legend behind this temple that is mainly related to the time of the Ramayana where Lord Hanuman rested on his way to bring Sanjeevani Booti (a therapeutic herb) to heal Lord Ram’s brother, Lakshman.

THE RIDGE

Located in the heart of Shimla, The Ridge road is a large open space which runs east to west alongside the Mall Road, and joins it at the Scandal point on the west side. On the east side, the Ridge road leads to Lakkar Bazaar, a wooden crafts market.  

The Ridge road is also the venue for summer festival (held in May), government functions and local celebrations during the New Year's Eve. Some of the most prominent landmarks of Shimla are located on the Ridge. Dotted with a church, library and many statues, the Ridge is a choice of many for a long walk.

CHRIST CHURCH

 Christ Church in Shimla is the second oldest Church in India. Christ Church is one of the prominent landmarks of Shimla. The clock on the church tower was donated in 1860 and the porch added in 1873. Visible from miles away, the design of this place is marvelous.

In Shimla's 75 years of reigning as summer capital, a long line of officials and other notables of the Raj came to the church for their Sunday prayers. The seasonal influx is so great at times that space poses a big problem.

The brass plaques and beautiful stained glass windows are the prime attractions for tourists coming here. Some adjoining attractions also include the Ridge, Statue of Mahatma Gandhi and Skating Rink.

THE MALL ROAD

Mall Road is the lifeline of Shimla, as it is the point where the people of Shimla socialize. It is mainly the center of all activity that tourists can enjoy. The streets are lined with various shops that sell various items. The popular hotels, showrooms, departmental stores, restaurants and recreation centers are also located here.

Tourists can enjoy horse riding and shop various handicrafts items from the Mall. The major attractions, like Chrish Church, Scandal Point and Ridge are also located on the Mall. The area was developed by the British and to keep the area clean and unaffected by pollution, vehicles are not allowed on the road.

INDIAN INSTITUTE OF ADVANCED STUDY

Observatory Hill in the west of Shimla, houses as the Indian institute of Advanced Study (offering various courses) and is a famous attraction in Shimla. Observatory hill is a high peak in Shimla, offering splendid views of the surroundings.

Much of the institute is closed for public view. The observatory Hill is the historical place from where the British government held meetings on their actions on ruling on India. Guides are available.

THE SHIMLA STATE MUSEUM

The Shimla State Museum houses a huge collection of magnificent paintings, sculptures, coins, handicrafts, photos, etc of not only the state of Himachal Pradesh but outside too. The state museum is a major attraction of the Mall area of Shimla built in the style of colonial edifice with sprawling lawns all around. This museum was inaugurated in 1974. The museum is open from ten in the morning to five in the evening. It is open on all days except Monday and the national holidays.

TARA DEVI TEMPLE

Tara Devi Temple is one of the notable temples of Shimla. Tara Devi Temple captivates even the most life's battle hardened soul by its ethereal beauty and splendid location. Tara Devi Temple is situated at a height of 1851 meters above sea level. Tara Devi Temple is situated at a distance of 11 kilometers from Shimla. Tara Devi Temple was built approximately 250 years ago. Legend was that the goddess Tara Devi was brought to Himachal Pradesh from the eastern Indian state of West Bengal. According to that legend a King of the Sen Dynasty of Bengal visited Himachal Pradesh.  

TOY TRAIN

Shimla is famous all over the world for its dream like journey on the toy train. Starting from Kalka the 96 kms long journey to Shimla is covered in about 5 hours. Running for more than 100 years, this toy train ride (staretd in the year 1903 by Lord Curzon) has been credited as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

This scenic journey takes the passengers through 103 tunnels, crossing more than 800 bridges and viaducts. The toy train runs on a narrow gauge and moves slowly between the flanked mountains, through mesmerising valleys and pine, fir and deodar forest glades.

The train arduously climbs on the steep cliffs and halts at various places where tourists can capture the spectacular glimpse of nature in their cameras. In fact, the train runs in such a slow motion that tourists can get down for a quick picture and get back on the train in a jiffy.

There are many classes of toy trains that run on this route. There are regular passenger trains (Kalka Shimla Express and Himalayan Queen), deluxe trains (Deluxe Motor Rail car and Shivalik Deluxe Express), super deluxe (Shivalik Queen Tourist Coach, Shivalik Palace Tourist Coach). The train usually leaves in the morning from Kalka while from Shimla trains usually leave during the second half of the day.