Mussoorie: a travelogue right from the pages of a Ruskin Bond Novel

Mussoorie also known as the 'Queen of Hills' is famous for its scenic beauty, a charming hill station established by the British around 1823. The town retains much of its colonial charm and is well worth a visit for its beautiful scenery and lovely walks.  It is believed and said that the ghosts of that era linger on in the architecture of the churches, libraries, hotels and summer palaces. 

Situated in the foothills of the Garhwal Himalayan ranges, Mussoorie is one of the most popular destinations in North India.  It commands a wonderful view of the extensive Himalayan snow ranges in the north-west and glittering views of the Doon Valley. Elevated pine trees form a canopy, and morning rays fight to touch the ground. The shadows form a beautiful mesh on the road adding to it’s beauty. Mussoorie has a poetic charm to it. It is a hill station right out of a writer’s imagination. Over the years, Mussoorie too has fallen prey to commercialisation. 

 

 Mussoorie consists of mainly two developed areas which are Gandhi Chowk also known as Library Bazaar at the western end, and the Kulri Bazaar and Picture Palace at the eastern end, linked by the 2km Mall, beyond Kulri Bazaar a narrow road leads 1.5km to Landour Bazaar.

If you are an ardent reader you can go visit the famous author Ruskin Bond. I can’t recall when I first heard of Ruskin Bond. He seems to have been around for as long back as I can remember. Though I can only remember that he was there in my school text books and eventually I fall in love with his writings since then. I read his short stories and essays in books and newspapers. From Adventures of Rusty to The Night Train at Deoli or even Roads to Mussoorie I read it all. I have often escaped from the smoke and dust of my city by hiding among the trees and hills that populate his books.  

He lives in Ivy Cottage, Landour near Lal Tibba. The mere mention of that name filled my mind with images of hills and mountains, deodar and pine tree, rain and snow, and of course birds. The front part of Ivy Cottage is taken up by Doma’s Inn, the frontage of which is covered with various colourful, traditional Tibetan thangka paintings depicting Buddhist scenes.  The slopes of the hill we’re on are full of deodars. Bond had written of them in Notes From A Small Room—“Having lived with deodars (divine trees), I can understand God having a favourite among trees.” You can visit Cambridge Book store where Bond keep going every Saturday to meet people. 

Through his writings he tells us the secrets about the beauty of the hill station that travel guides cannot. 

Things to do in Mussoorie: 

• Get a room with balcony view of Doon Valley. It looks amazing during the night, just like twinkling stars. Trust me the experience will be worth it. As dusk falls, the magic begins. First a small light goes on in the valley below, then the next. And so on, until the entire Doon is but a carpet of light, shimmering, enchanting and iridescent.

• Visit Kalsang where you will get amazing Tibetan cuisine, Lovely Omelette Centre and Chic Chocolate are must when you are in Mussoorie.  
  

• Take a Walk Along The Mall. The entire stretch of the Mall, starting from Library Point and going up to the Picture Palace, is a good 2 kms walk. However, as you stroll along you will hardly feel the distance owing to the variety of life that you witness. 

• You can visit to the Gun Hill, it is the second highest point of Mussoorie which is around 15 mins from Mall road. 
  

Don’t forget: If you are looking for some peace, try wandering in the less taken routes. You can take a walk down trails which will give you a unique experience. Also I would definitely recommend the Buddh Temple at Happy Valley Road near IAS Academy, there are prayer wheels, idols of Buddha and prayer/meditation halls with beautiful carvings on the walls, ceilings and panels.

Don’t forget: If you are looking for some peace, try wandering in the less taken routes. You can take a walk down trails which will give you a unique experience. Also I would definitely recommend the Buddh Temple at Happy Valley Road near IAS Academy, there are prayer wheels, idols of Buddha and prayer/meditation halls with beautiful carvings on the walls, ceilings and panels. 

You can also visit: Dhanaulti which is around 25 Kms from Mussoorie and is very calm and serene. Also Kanhatal, it offers treks through its forests, drives on forest roads. The best part about these places is that these places are quiet, calm and less crowded unlike Mussoorie.

P.S : Special Thanks to Zamie Habib for some amazing clicks :) 

Tagged: #Mussoorie #Uttarkhand #Landour #RuskinBond #Dhanaulti

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