5 Places To Visit In Mussoorie

Located 35 kilometres from Dehradun, Mussoorie is a picturesque hill station in the Indian state of Uttarakhand. The hill station is located at the foothills of the Garhawl Himalayan ranges, and is also known by its nickname “The Queen Of Hills”. The place is also known as the gateway to the “Gangotri and “Yamunotri” shrines. The best time to visit the place is between mid-March to mid-November as the rains during monsoons and cold during the winters make it pretty inaccessible. Here is a list of top ten places to visit in Mussorie:

1.Kempty Fall

The Kempty falls are surrounded by high mountain ranges and are situated at an altitude of approximately 1,364 meters above sea level, thus giving it a wonderful surrounding to just sit and listen to the sound of the water which falls on the rocky bed of the water below among the lush green vicinity.

2. Lal Tibba

The highest peak in Mussoorie, with an altitude of over 2,290 meters above sea level and provides some amazing and never seen before views of the mountains that house the holy shrines of Kedarnath and Badrinath. To give its visitors a clearer view of the picturesque surroundings a Japanese telescope has been installed at the edge of the cliff also the place is highly preserved from most commercial activities.

3. Happy Valley

The centre of the Tibetan settlement in Mussoorie, happy valley is situated at a short distance from the mall road. This is the place where Tibetans first arrived in India when they fled from Lhasa in 1959, led by their spiritual leader dalai lama before he moved to Dharamshala. The place is lined with oaks and deodars and has several small hotels and cafeterias and as you walk further into the town, you will get to experience calm like no other.

4. Camel’s Back Road

The road takes its name from the rock which is shaped like a camel’s hump on its back and stretches around a distance of about 3-4 kilometres from Kulri bazaar to the Library Chowk in Mussoorie. The road is ideal for a walk as one can get amazing views of the valley and the mountains from here. The place is great for the photographers who are looking for great shots to capture of the valley and the mountains that surround Mussoorie.

5. Gun Hill

The second highest point in Mussoorie, the place’s name is derived from the event of firing cannon from this place to tell what time is it to the people during the British colonization hence giving it the name ‘Gun Hill’. The place lies at an altitude of 2,024 meters above sea level and offers some majestic views of the surroundings.

Chai And The World: An Introduction To Indian Tea

As the second largest producer of tea in the world, India is renowned for chai, that milk-infused, sweet-spicy drink that has gained immense global popularity over the years. While international café chains such as Starbucks and Costa offer fancy concoctions such as chai latte, chai frappuccino, and the unfortunately named dirty chai, most people in India swear by the humble roadside variety. Here’s a look at how this beloved beverage came to be, and the cultural hot spot it’s brewing up.

Origins

Like any great history, the origins of chai are steeped in legend and contradictory accounts. But the general consensus seems to be that this rejuvenating drink originated as a healing concoction, brewed with herbs and spices beneficial to the body. In fact, the early ‘chai’ did not contain any tea leaves, and recipes differed according to the seasons and available ingredients.

When the British came to India, they established tea plantations as an alternative to the expensive Chinese tea they were habituated to consuming. In order to tap into the local market, tea was initially dispensed free of cost to the Indian population, and soon, masala chai was born, a hybrid of Indian and British tradition.

Variations

While masala chai is the perhaps the most loved and widely consumed form of Indian tea, there’s no end to the variations available. In fact, different parts of the country are known for their unique brews, with some of the most popular options being Mumbai’s cutting chai, the rich Irani chai of Hyderabad, and the delicate pink Kashmiri chai.

Masala chai itself can contain different spices depending on the region and the season, with popular ingredients being cardamom, cloves, ginger, and fennel.

Then, of course, there is the method of preparation, which truly determines the quality of the brew. Roadside stalls are an excellent place to watch the art of thickening the chai to just the right consistency and boiling it long enough for the flavors to really steep.

Chai Culture

No matter where you are in India, you’re probably not very far from a chai stall, little roadside shacks that go by different names in different parts of the country. Tea sold at these humble outlets is often the cheapest and most delicious, the ideal refreshment in every kind of weather.

Even in homes, chai is the ultimate conversation starter, served to anyone who visits. Most people have at least two cups a day, once with breakfast and again in the late afternoon, much like the British.

Despite its link to a painful history of British imperialism, chai is the ubiquitous Indian drink, its consumption transcending all lines of class and status. It takes practice and patience to brew or even find the perfect cup, but when you do, there’s nothing else quite like it.

Source: http://theculturetrip.com/

10 Interesting Facts about Mussoorie You must know

If you have a little interest in Mussoorie, you must read the hilarious facts about the city Mussoorie which is often referrer as Queen of Mountains. The beautiful city Mussoori is situated at a height of 1,880 metres (6,170 ft) with green hills & a fresh environment, with a distance of 34 KM from Dehradun.

Being a Doonite, I am a regular visitor of Mussorie & needless to say that the situation is similar with you guys. But did you ever try to know the facts of Mussoorie. Undoubtedly it is an awesome place with fresh air and pure but cold environment. We’ve tried to collect almost each & every fact about Mussoorie for that you were unaware of, read them below:

Undoubtedly it is an awesome place with fresh air and pure but cold environment. We’ve tried to collect almost each & every fact about Mussoorie for that you were unaware of, read them below:

1. The Name Mussoorie: The name Mussoorie is taken from the word Mansoor which is a shrub which is indigenous to the area. You may still notice many people calling Mansoori instead of Mussoorie.
2. Discoverers: Who discovered Mussoorie: Mussorie was discovered jointly by a young but brave British military officer Yung and Mr. Shor a doonite & superintendent.
3. Mall Road: very popular road among youngsters, the name Mall road was kept because of a famous place Mall at Mussorie.
4. Adjust your watches with GunFire: During the colonial rule, Gunhill had a gun mounted on top of it. Everyday at mid-day, the gun was fired from atop the hill so that people could adjust their watches accordingly.
5. Population Growth: In 1901, the total popular of Mussoorie was 6,461 which increased by 400% in 100 years, reporting a total population of 26,069 in 2001.
6. Highest Place: If you even wondered to know the highest point at Mussoorie, let me inofrm you that a Place Lal Tibba is the highest point in Mussoorie with an enormous height of 2,290 metres (7,510 ft). You should visit this place for once.
7. Indians NOT Allowed: Don’t get shocked, i am telling you the past here. During the British region, Indians were not allowed to visit Mussoorie. Racist  signs on the Mall expressly stated: “Indians and Dogs Not Allowed”. But Motilal Nehru (Father of JawaharLal Nehru) frequently broke the rule almost everyday. However these signs have later been removed from the walls.
8. The Addiction of Nehru Family: It was the favourite tourist place for Nehru family & they were a frequent visitor to Mussoorie (during 1920-40s), they use to stay at Savoy Hotel. Even the house of Vijayalakshmi Pandit, sister of Nehru is located nearby in Dehradun.
9. Dalai Lama in Mussoorie: In April 1959, when Tibetan guru Dalai Lama were deported by China, He came here to make a Tibetan deported govt, later transferred to the Dharmshala of Himachal Pradesh. Still more than 5000 tibetan are living in Mussoorie valley.
10. First Choice for celebrities: The beauty of this valley has always been addictive to everyone & even celebrities are not untouched of it. Mussoorie was the most favourite place of former bollywood actor Devanand & even he has got a home here.Cricket master blaster Sachin Tendulkar visit here every year on regular basis.

Mussoorie-Dhanualty Attraction

ECO-Park : It is the main attraction of Dhanaulti. There are two Eco-parks, "Amber" and "Dhara" about 200 m apart. It has been developed recently by the Forest Department of Uttarakhand with the help of local youth. About 60 local youth, both male and females are employed as Guides, Gardeners, Service providers, Ticket Collectors, Information Providers etc. It houses a protected patch of small forest containing Deodar Trees.There is an entry fee of Rs 15 For Adults and Rs 10 for Children. Mussoorie Forest Department is running Eco-huts for the tourists come to enjoy serene landscapes of Dhanaulti. These are built by green technology and are Eco-friendly.

Mussoorie : Situated 24 kms from Dhanaulti Mussoorie, the proverbial Queen of Hill stations. Being at an average altitude of 2,000 metres (6,600 ft), Mussoorie, with its green hills and varied flora and fauna, is a fascinating hill resort. Commanding snow ranges to the north-east, and glittering views of the Doon Valley and Shiwalik ranges in the south. Mussoorie offers distant views of the holy and mighty river Ganga from one end of the ridge, and of the famous river Jamuna from the other; a stretch of around 19 kilometers all.

Mussoorie - The Queen Of Hills

A charming façade, having lost a hint of its poise becomes all the more enchanting, they say… 

Mussoorie, which was once regarded as the Queen of the Hills, is now a highly sought after weekend getaway, which offers an excellent respite from the blistering heat of the Indian summer. Perched sky-high at an altitude of 1,880 metres above the face of the sea, this picturesque hill station still has what it takes to compel you to reminisce the days of the colonial era. 

A 34-kilometre winding uphill drive from Dehradun lands you in Mussoorie, which lies cosily nestled in the Garhwal hills of Uttarakhand. Once a favourite spot of the prosperous British, Mussoorie has now found its place in the travelogues of the middle-class in India. The beautiful town is also famous for its educational institutions, most of which date back to the colonial times. Woodstock School, one of the best schools in Mussoorie, is an international co-educational boarding Christian missionary establishment. Others include the likes of St. George’s College and Wynberg Allen School. 

Mussoorie is situated atop a horseshoe crest on the mountains of Garhwal, with commanding views of the underlying Doon Valley and the magnificent Himalayas beyond. The mountain hamlet is peppered with an array of sightseeing, adventure and shopping opportunities, most of which can be covered in a weekend. Ranging from enthralling views of the panoramic valleys and hills to exciting treks, leisurely walks and endless shopping opportunities, Mussoorie has everything in place to make a memorable holiday.