Mussoorie is one of the most popular hill stations located at a distance of 290 km from Delhi in the Dehradun district of Uttarakhand. With a backdrop of the Shivalik range of Himalayas and doon valley, Mussoorie, also known as Queen of The Hills, stands at an altitude of 7000 feet above sea level. With a cool and pleasant climate throughout the year, Mussoorie was once the British summer capital.
This colonial hill station features some of the prestigious educational institutions of India, stately hotels, cozy cafes, old taverns, estates, churches, buildings, offices, bustling markets and tourist spots to lure the visitors. Mussoorie is one the top hill stations in India, famous for a weekend getaway, honeymoon destinations, Himalayan views and Mall Road.
Brief History of Mussoorie
The name “Mussoorie” of the place came from the plant known as Mansoor Shrub found in this region. History of this hill station starts from the Gurkhas. Gurkhas ruled this region for a long period of time.
In 1803, Umar Singh Thapa and Gurkhas conquered Mussoorie and extended their kingdom. After this, the region came under the Britishers like all other regions of the state. Furthermore, in 1825, British military officer Frederick Young constructed a shooting lodge here.
THINGS TO DO
The Mall Road, Mussoorie
Located in the heart of Mussoorie, the Mall is a colonial relic with benches and lampposts filled with modern shops, video game parlours and skating rinks.You can often find the author Ruskin Bond browsing the Cambridge Bookstore. There would be a lot of local vendors around including photographers who can click awesome photographs for you. Do try out a photograph in local traditional attire here.
Kempty Falls, Mussoorie
Located on the way between Dehradun-Mussoorie roads, in the Ram Gaon area of Tehri Garhwal, Kempty Falls is one the most popular tourist attraction and picnic spot in Mussoorie. Surrounded by high mountain cliffs, Kempty Falls is nestled at an altitude of around 4500 ft above the sea level. The pond formed at the bottom of the falls makes an excellent spot for swimming and bathing.The name of Kempty Falls is taken from the terms “camp and tea” implying the elaborate tea parties that were once organized here in evenings eventually leading to a localized name Kempty. It was developed as a picnic destination by John Mekinan owing to its captivating surroundings and scenic beauty. Offering a stunning view of water stream cascading down from a great height, it divides into two main falls. Quite famous among the tourists as a picnic spot, the perennial Kempty waterfall is crowded almost throughout the year.
Company Garden, Mussoorie
The Company Garden is a popular tourist attraction in Mussoorie, located around 3km from the main Mall Road. Nestled amidst the high Himalayas, the vibrant garden is a lovely place to spend an entire day out with your family and friends within the lush greenery and the beautiful blossoms. You can find people enjoying their time sitting or strolling or taking photographs in the eclectic lawn of the garden. There is also an artificial pond for boating with manmade waterfalls.Also known as Municipal Garden, it is maintained by the Garden Welfare Association of Mussoorie and was laid down by Dr H. Fackner in the early years of this millennium. If you have kids with you, they will also have a gala time in the park with all the exciting rides and so much space to run around. You can even satisfy the nature lover in you in this delightful place and also take back a part with you – buy any small potted plant at the nursery or any souvenir from one of the shops inside the garden.
George Everest’s House, Mussoorie
Perched on top of a cliff overlooking the beguiling Mussoorie valley, George Everest’s House offers a sense of serenity, tranquility and nostalgia. Built in 1832, the house is located in Park Estate, 6 kms west of Gandhi Chawk in Mussoorie and is also popularly known as Park House. With panoramic sights of the scenic Doon Valley on the side, mighty Aglar river valley and spectacular Himalayan peaks in the north, Sir George Everest’s House holds an old world charm and draws history buffs, nature enthusiasts and adventure travellers to visit it. Although in a dilapidated crumbling state, the ancient dwelling tells the paramount tale of Colonel George Everest.George Everest owned this mountain house in Mussoorie, India and spent a grand total of 11 years living here and using it as his observatory and laboratory. Although, very derelict and in a precarious state, the house still holds its walls and has a roof; and is likely to be converted into a museum soon. The interiors have been stripped of any belongings but the doors, fireplace and windows still remain in place. The walls have been covered in graffiti although it is whitewashed very often. George Everest’s House now comes under the jurisdiction of the Tourism Department.
Dalai Hills, Mussoorie
One of the most beautiful locations in Mussoorie, Uttarakhand, Dalai Hills is situated above the Lal Bahadur Academy and is quite close to Happy Valley. It is synonymous with utter tranquillity as well as with arresting views of the mighty Himalayas and the green valleys.The Dalai Hills overlook the beautiful Garhwal ranges and are known for the numerous Tibetan prayer flags and for the statue of Lord Buddha. There is also a Buddhist temple here. The trees, plants and flowers make the area perfect for nature lovers while the trails through the forest are ideal for hiking. Given the serenity and the views, this location is great for catching the sunset, having a picnic with family, for camping and also for photography. Food stalls around serve refreshments.
Budget Indian Travelers we do not need to describe Mussoorie because great author Ruskin Bond has already done that in his immortal novels and short stories. He used this amazing town and the tourist places in Mussorie as the backdrop of his stories and the natural beauty of this town has created many landmarks in the field of “nature’s romanticism.”
If you are in love with nature’s romanticism and follow literature for that then the enchanting beauty of Mussoorie is your wonderland waiting for you.