Misty Tales

Kempty Falls

Sunset in Mussoorie

Mysterious Mussoorie

Panoramic view of Mussoorie

Mussoorie  is a long, narrow stretch of ridge on a hill at an altitude of 6,580 ft , at the head of the Doon Valley in north-west Uttarakhand. It is 34 km N of Dehra Dun, 269 km NE of Delhi. The entire ridge is about 19 km long ; however, the shopping-eating-strolling stretch of Mall Road is about 3 km long. Landour is a steep, almost 1000 ft higher level than the Mall. The mall is the very heart of the town,and crossing it once twice every day is inevitable. There are many benches by the road so you can sit and rest and people-watch, admire the pine tree, poplars and chinars which only grow high up at this altitude. The view of the setting sun from the Mall is excellent. As dusk descends, the lights in the Doon Valley  start twinkling, as if in a fairyland.

There are a pretty  Victorian-style Library at the end of Library Bazar which was built in the mid-19th century. Gun Hill is the next big attraction on the Mall, situated about 400 ft above it. It can be reached by a path or via a ropeway ride, which gives you a great  view of the Doon Valley. Kulri Bazar, at the eastern end of the Mall, is the place where you can have lots of fun. There are many hotels and also the usual restsurents. The Cambridge  Bookstore offers a lot of Ruskin Bond’s books. Ruskin Bond meets his readers and signs books at this shop every Saturday between 4 and 6 pm.

Landour is a silent, beautiful cantonment area that’s a 10-min drive  up from Kurli Bazar. Building regulations are strict here, so there aren’t any hotels and shops to disturb the natural beauty of the place.

The central point is called Char Duknan because there are four dhaba-com-provision shops here. A pleasant stroll away  is Sisters’ Bazar, named for the sisters who looked after those British soldiers.It has old cottages, a few shops and retains its silent beauty. Lal Tibba represents the highest point in Mossoorie.There is a creaky old telescope, and they charge Rs 20 for a quick sight of the snow-clad  Garhwal peaks from here. Jharipani Falls is located a short distance downhill from mussoorie and can be reached by road. The 40-foot perennial Kempty Falls is the highest of five  cascades that branch from a mountain stream, cutting its way through boulders  and down rock faces.

Mussoorie is at its best from March to June and in October-November.December-January is cold.

Getting There :

Air : The nearest airport is Jolly Grant, Dehra Dun which is connected to Delhi. Taxi costs Rs 1000.

Rail : Nearest rail station is Dehra doon.Taxi charges Rs 450 for a drop.

Accomodation : There are more than a hundred hotels in Mussoorie, ranging across all budgets

1.Jaypee Residency Manor (Tel: 2631800, Tariff: Rs 11,000-22,000)

2.Country Inn (Tel: 2631190, Tariff: Rs 4,00-5,000)

3.Hotel Padmini Niwas (Tel: 2631093; Tariff: Rs 1,300-6,500)

4.Hotel Nand Residency (Tel:2631442; Tariff: Rs 1,500-4,200)