HillStations

It is said that Mussoorie got its name from a plant called Mansoor, which is found in this region. Moreover, the locals cite it as Mansoori.  Mussoorie is at a distance of 34 kilometers from Dehradun in Uttarakhand. This hill station known as the queen of the hills is situated in the lap of the Himalayan Ranges. The townships of Jharipani, Barlowganj and Landour too are part of greater Mussorie. In fact one can still enjoy the old world charm in Landour. Based at a height of almost 2000 meters, it is a charming hill resort speckled with a variety of flora and fauna.  The hilltops covered in lush greenery sparkle like emeralds. In the winter the same stalwart emerald peaks are covered with a dazzling blanket of snow.

To the south one can spot the Shiwalik and Doon Valley. The visitors here get the feeling of being transported to a fairyland. It is a haven for those who seek some relief from the sun in the summer months. The splendor of Doon Valley and Dehradun city is visible from Mussoorie. The languages spoken here are English, Hindi and Garhwali. The cool climate of Mussoorie attracts the honeymooning couples and holidaymakers. Mussoorie is a vibrant and cheerful place to visit. It is the first stop on the way to Gangotri and Yamunotri. The two rivers Ganga and Jamuna originate at these spots. They are regarded as sacred sites.

Mussoorie was discovered by Captain Young in the year 1823 and it has been very popular ever since. While it can be extremely crowded in the peak season, it could be rather peaceful in the off season. Being fond of hunting, Captain Young built a shooting lodge here. Interestingly, even Colonel Everest constructed a home in Mussoorie in the year 1832. Initially Mussoorie was only accessible by road from a distance of 93 kilometers all the way from Saharanpur, but with the advent of the railways into Dehradun it is now  accessible by road from a mere distance of 34 kilometers. Mussoorie is well connected to the major cities of India. Taxis and buses to Mussoorie are available quite frequently. The peak season in Mussoorie is from March to June and from September to November.

Loads of history is attached with Mussoorie. Mussoorie too has a main esplanade called the Mall just as the other hill stations do. On the one end of the Mall you will find the Public Library and at the other end is the Picture Palace. We are all aware of the expression ‘Indians and Dogs not allowed’ used during the British rule quite frequently. This expression was also found on a signboard at the Mall. Jawahar Lal Nehru’s father Mr. Motilal Nehru intentionally routinely broke this rule when he visited Mussoorie. Since he could get away with a mere fine, he got away with it by paying the fine for breaking the rule. Indira Gandhi too was a frequent visitor to Mussoorie in the early 1900s. Today the Dalai Lama and the headquarters of Government of Tibet in exile are based in Dharamsala, but originally the Dalai Lama fled the Chinese occupation and set up headquarters in Mussoorie in April of 1959. Some of the Tibetans still live in Mussoorie.

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