Various destinations come to our mind when we talk about weekend trips from New Delhi. The obvious options are Shimla, Mussoorie, Rishikesh which tends to become the preferrable choice among the travellers. With the changing trend & the eagerness to explore the new spot, I decided to take the route to Lansdowne.
For me, it was not enough as being a quaint hill station of Uttarakhand & home to the Garhwal Rifle regiment of the Indian Army, the town of Lansdowne is gradually becoming popular among the tourists looking to relax in the weekend after their hectic schedule. Hence, I added Kalagarh Tiger Reserve to this trip to bring something new to my blog.
History of Lansdowne
Lansdowne was earlier known as 'Kaludanda', meaning ‘Black Hill’ in Garhwali. This was later named Lansdowne in honour of the then Viceroy of India, Lord Lansdowne, in the year 1857. The Garhwal Rifles Regiment of the armed forces had their training centre set up here. The first battalion of the Garhwal Rifles was shifted from Almora to Lansdowne, in 1857. The serenity and calmness of Lansdowne makes it an ideal escape from the chaos we face in urban lives.
Why to visit Lansdowne
The biggest reason to visit this place is that it is easy to reach, the journey is in the plains and very less hills to reach there. The drive is enjoyable and not too tiring. Another point is, Lansdowne really has beautiful accommodation options with good range of prices. Last but not the least, it is one of the tranquil hill stations of India with greenery, cleanliness, calmness & peaceful environment. One can enjoy old buildings of British architecture here with the taste of military all around you.
If you are still not satisfied to visit this place, the picture below will describe its natural beauty on the own.
How to reach Lansdowne
The only way to reach Lansdowne is by road while nearest railway station is Kotdwar, 41 km away. By road, the distance of Lansdowne from New Delhi is around 250 km which is hardly 6 to 7 hrs drive depending upon the traffic. There are few routes to reach here but the best reliable one is explained below -
Delhi – Ghaziabad – Modinagar – Meerut – Khatauli – Mirapur – Bijnor – Najibabad – Kotdwar – Lansdowne
After Kotdwar, hill starts but the road is very smooth throughout the journey. If you wish to stop, you can stop at Shri Sidhbali Dham Mandir at Kotdwar which has its own importance and known for powerful vibes. I will explain about it more in my blog as we proceed.
Where to stay at Lansdowne
Lansdowne don't have too much budget options really but it offers really good & comfortable accommodation if you are willing to spend decent with your family. On weekdays, they are generally very cheaper and you can get one room for 1500 - 2000 Rs. per night while on the weekends, you may need to pay around 3000 Rs. for the same.
I will publish a separate blog for this part telling some good accommodation options here. You can refer to that if you want some suggestions.
Places Of Interest
Well, to be honest, Lansdowne doesn't have too much tourist spots to offer but you can find lot of scenic spots to relax, walk & spend quality time with your family. Some places which are must to visit here are described below -
St. Mary's Church
The journey starts with this beautiful Gothic style church surrounded by Pine & Deodar forests which is converted into museum by the regiment now. The views around the church are amazing, full of enigma & peace. For once, it will be hard to believe that you are in India. It is spread in small geographical area but designed with perfection and complete blend of English architecture which will make you feel like rewinding your times till the classic era.
Tip N Top
Also known as Tiffin Top, it is the snow view point of Lansdowne. It is the perfect spot to view spectacular views of Shivalik range. It doesn't have too much to describe about but you can see the views below. Also, sharing the view around GMVN Tip n Top Resort. You can choose to stay here in different style of cottages but you may need to book them in advance.
Bhulla Tal
This lake is a very picturesque spot for spending picnic time with your family. There is a small garden along with the lake where you can sit and spend some quality time. This lake is run by the army. You can also choose to do paddle boating here. There is a small animal zone here where you can find birds, ducks & rabbits.
Tarkeshwar Mahadev Temple
The next morning, we had a plan to visit Tarkeshwar Mahadev before we proceed to Kalagarh Tiger Reserve. Tarkeshwar Mahadev is one of the famous temple of Lord Shiva, located about 36 km from Lansdowne in the Garhwal district. Situated all over by pine trees, this temple resides in the tranquil atmosphere. It can be considered the best place for the meditation.
The road trip from Lansdowne to this temple is really enjoyable. The road is not too much crowded with steep hills. When you reach there, you will see this entrance gate with lot of hawkers selling "Prasad" for the temple. You need to park your vehicle here and then walk for about 10 - 15 min on the pathway to reach the temple. Beware of monkeys in your way.
I went there in the month of January, there was some snow in the premises due to the snowfall happened the previous night. The weather was very pleasant, comfortable to walk. Outside the temple, there are proper facilities to keep your shoes. The temple area is small. There are two temples there, one of Lord Shiva and the other one is of Goddess Durga.
After this temple, Lansdowne really gets finished & I decided to drive towards the area of Jim Corbett (Vatanvasa Gate) in the Kalagarh Region. I will be describing this journey in my next blog with details. Till then, be safe, be healthy.
See you sometime on the road !