Winterline Phenomenon that can only be seen in #Switzerland and #Mussoorie Lal Tibba Facts

Tripoto
1st Apr 2020
Photo of Winterline Phenomenon that can only be seen in #Switzerland and #Mussoorie Lal Tibba Facts by TheHimalayanGypsy

Lal Tibba literally translates to mean the Red Hill, and refers to the highest point in Mussoorie. All the broadcasting stations of All India Radio and Doordarshan are situated here, and access is restricted since the Indian Military is stationed here as well. You can take in the panoramic views through the lens of an old telescope mounted atop a 20-metre-tall tower at the edge of the cliff.

Located at an altitude of 3025m Lal Tibba is the highest peak in the lower Himalayas of Garhwal region. This is one of the best places for trekking and also offers scenic beauty.

Lal Tibba being the highest peak in Mussoorie gives a divine view of the mountains which house the holy shrines of Kedarnath and Badrinath which can be seen through the Japanese telescope placed at the edge of the cliff.

Photo of Lal Tibba, Library Bazar, The Mall Road, Mussoorie, Uttarakhand, India by TheHimalayanGypsy

Every year in Winters, something magical happens in Mussoorie. It's a special natural phenomenon which takes place only in a few places across the world, and Mussoorie is one such place.

Its the WINTER LINE PHENOMENON.

Such unique conditions do not exist at many places, and apart from Mussoorie this line can be seen only in Switzerland.

Well its a sharp line in the sky which is more like a faux horizon line. So before the sun actually sets across the real horizon, in this part of the world, it actually disappears across a faux horizon.

Also Read: snowfall in mussoorie

So how does it happen? "Dehradun Valley is warm so the hot air rises up, while the air in the sky around Mussoorie is very cold during winter. As air with different temperatures meet, it gives rise to a sharp line - the lower part is dark, and the cooler air is lighter blue. This line is always there, but just before sunset, due to refraction of light, the line lits up beautifully as a golden sharp line as the sun disappears behind the lower portion of the sky which is dark in color. This is how the line is formed." One of the best ways to see this line completely is from a mountain top with a clearing. I saw it from a mountain top at Lal Tibba which is located at Depot Hill in Landour.

GypsyTip: If you have a two-wheeler, its better to take it to the vie w point as the trail is a proper path where you can drive. But, you need to be a pro biker.

Photo of Lal Tibba, Library Bazar, The Mall Road, Mussoorie, Uttarakhand, India by TheHimalayanGypsy
Photo of Lal Tibba, Library Bazar, The Mall Road, Mussoorie, Uttarakhand, India by TheHimalayanGypsy
Photo of Lal Tibba, Library Bazar, The Mall Road, Mussoorie, Uttarakhand, India by TheHimalayanGypsy
Photo of Lal Tibba, Library Bazar, The Mall Road, Mussoorie, Uttarakhand, India by TheHimalayanGypsy

Best time to witness Winter Line:

Months: October to February

Time: both at sunrise and sunset.

Where: Lal Tibba

Bonus photography tip: if you are a photography enthusiast, do carry a tripod and set it for Time Lapse.