Monday, June 30, 2014

Lansdowne - Garhwal Rifles Headquarter

My Family was enjoying their summer vacations at my in laws place – Dehradun , so we decided to visit Lansdowne while coming back to our home Gurgaon. I reached Dehradun on 7th May 2009 from Gurgaon. In Dehradun we enjoyed family (wife , kids , sisters in law & brother in law ) picnic in Robber’s Cave (Guchchu Pani).

After staying there for 2 days we left for Lansdowne on Tuesday i.e 9th May 2009 at 10.00 AM, after one hour drive we reached Hardwar which is around 60 kms from Dehradun In Hardwar I got my car’s tank full , just want to inform that there is no petrol pump in Lansdowne, so it’s better that you refuel your car before Kotdwar.



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We reached kotdwar around 1.00 PM and stopped there for lunch at Angan Restaurant, Food was good there. From kotdwar we started our drive for Lansdowne which is approx 40 km. On the way you will find very worth seeing views , we parked almost at 4-5 places for photography before reaching Lansdowne. We reached Lansdowne by 2.30 pm .

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Lansdowne is a quietest hill station at a height of 5800 ft from the sea level. The whole area is very neat and clean and plastic bags are banned there. It is Head quarter of Garhwal Riffles. There are some places to visit like Garhwal Rifles Museum (1 km), War Memorial (1Km) , Bhulla Lake (1/2 km), St. Mary Church (2 km) , St. Johns Church (2 ½ Km), Lovers lane (1 Km) , Tiffin Top (3km) , Tarkeshwar temple (35 Km) & Jawalpa Devi mandir (40 km).

Best Part to make your holiday enjoyable is that your mobile won’t work there except BSNL, so there is a pleasant change that makes your stay cool.

In Lansdowne there are few good options to stay like Blue pine resort, fairydales resort , GMVN etc . Blue pine resort is approx 3 km from the market so GMVN & Fairydales could be the better option. We decided to stay in GMVN , here you can get a Hut in Rs. 1400/- + Taxes.

We reached Lansdowne at 2.30 pm after taking some rest and tea in evening we walked down to Bulla Lake.

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After boating children enjoyed swings at nearby park. We had dinner in GMVN restaurant. One must try local dishes like Garhwali Dal (cheswani) & Jhangore ki Kheer.

Next day morning after a light breakfast we left for Tarkeshwar Mandir at 10. am.. I would like to suggest not to use your own car as there is uneven & narrow Road to temple which is around 5-7 km so better to hire a jeep that costs around Rs. 900/- for to & fro. which is worth after seeing the road condition. We reached Temple at 11.30 pm.

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Visiting the temple is a good experience, temple is surrounded by pine trees. By 2.30 we were back to Lansdowne, we had our Lunch at Hotel Mayur , food was good there. I recommend for B/fast , lunch / dinner only at hotel Mayur in Lansdowne market other than your resort restaurant . After having our Lunch we came back to our hotel.

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After evening tea we went to Garhwal Rifles Museum, , St. Mary Church , St. Johns Church, Lovers lane, Tip in Top. From Tip in Top you can see the beautiful Himalaya Ranges & view of Lansdowne. By 7.30 we were back to our hotel.

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Next day i.e 11th May 2009 we checked out from hotel, had our breakfast at Hotel Mayur & left for Kotdwar . We stopped at Durga mandir , it is around 10-12 km before kotdwar . You can enjoy the cold water of river by taking bath. After a nice bath in river we stooped at Sidh Bali Mandir .We stayed with one of my cousins and next day we were back to home.

13 comments :

  1. I was there with my husband very long time back. Good to see that the Lover's Lane still is called the same. It was a peaceful place for sure.

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  2. Thanks Mridula for your comment. Ya it is still calm and peaceful place.

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  3. Beautiful and scenic place. I would love to be there.

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  4. Haven't visited here, but been to other places nearby :)
    Great pics :)

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  5. Try to visit sometime.....thanks for your comment.

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  6. Pictures are very beautiful. Away from the usual tourist traffic and crowded markets, this quaint and offbeat little hill-station in the Pauri Garhwal region is a legacy of the British, particularly the viceroy Lord Lansdowne, after whom it takes its name. With lush green surroundings, dense pine and oak forests and refreshingly clean air, Lansdowne is best suited for those looking for peace and tranquility. Check out best hotels in Lansdowne also.

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  7. Bhulla Lake looks different in those days.

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