WEEKEND GATEWAYS FROM DELHI: Lansdowne (Uttarakhand)

“Quaint little hilly town” Lansdowne Tourism

Overview:

Perched amidst the Garhwal Hills of Uttarakhand, Lansdowne is a quaint little hill town that not many tourists know of. Off the beaten tourist trail, Lansdowne is an untouched, pristine town, miles away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Situated at 5670 feet above sea level, Lansdowne is more famously known for being home to the Garhwal Rifle regiment of the Indian Army.

This hill station is neither commercialized nor heavily urbanized, making it the perfect getaway for anyone looking to take a break amidst peace and solitude.

The local population of Lansdowne is surprisingly somewhere around just 20,000, and almost all the buildings in the town are fading reminders of the colonial era.

The town itself gets its name from the then Viceroy of India, Lord Lansdowne. Surrounded on all sides by towering snow-capped mountains and lush green forests, Lansdowne has a pristine ambiance that lures a steady number of tourists all year round.

Being detached from the race of urbanization and commercialization, Lansdowne has an extremely laid-back air around the entire town.

You can always check into a hotel, but the real atmosphere of Lansdowne is experienced by staying in the guest houses at the military cantonment itself.

All these guesthouses are extremely reminiscent of the colonial period, and they offer a stunning view of the mountains from their balconies.

Places to Visit:

1. Bhulla Lake:

One of the most favorite picnic spots among locals and tourists, Bhullalake is a well-maintained serene lake made and maintained by the Indian Army. Bhullalake is loved for its tranquil atmosphere as it is not much populated and there are ample boating facilities available here.  An amusement park is located nearby which is quite popular among kids.

2. John’s Church:

Located at Mall Road this Catholic Church was built in 1936. The beautiful interiors and green surroundings of the church attract tourists and make it a must-visit destination.

3. Darwan Singh Regimental Museum:

Named after Victoria Cross holder Darwan Singh Negi, it is a historical defense museum located near the parade ground in Lansdowne. This beautifully decorated two-story building has a collection of arms, uniforms, rarest photographs of army generals, certificates, and details about the origin and achievements of Garhwal Rifles.

Established in 1923 The Garhwal Rifles War Memorial is located at the parade ground and is known as the proud of Landsdowne.

4. Jungle Safari:

If you would like to explore the wilderness of Lansdowne, many tour operators organize jungle safaris into the heart of the forests where you can catch a glimpse of Himalayan wild animals in their natural habitat.

5. TarkeshwarMahadev Temple:

Located atop a hill at 2092 meters, TarkeshwarMahadev Temple is believed to be one of the ancient holy sites or SiddhaPitas dedicated to Lord Shiva. The Mahashivarathri festival draws a huge crowd from across the country.

6. Others:

• Tip N Top
• BhimPakora
• Kanvashram

 Events in Lansdowne:

Sharadotsav Festival

15th – 19th October

Sharadotsav or the Festival of Durga is an annual festival of the Hindus that celebrates the victory of Goddess Durga over the evil buffalo demon, Mahishasura. The entire festival lasts for a period of 10 days, but it’s the last 5-6 days which are celebrated with much pomp and show.

 

Maha Shivaratri Festival InTarkeshwarMahadev Temple

4th March

The TarakeshvarMahadev Temples in India, are considered to be the spiritual abode of Lord Shiva. The one at Lansdowne, like other Lord Shiva temples, witnesses the annual celebration of the Mahashivaratri festival. Devotees from different parts of the country come in large numbers and offer their prayers to the Lord.

 Best time to Visit in Lansdowne:

• April to June is a good time to Visit in Lansdowne in Summer
• July to September is a good time to Visit in Lansdowne in Monsoon
• October to March is a good time to Visit in Lansdowne in Winter.

 How to Reach:

How to Reach Lansdowne by Flight

The nearest airport to Lansdowne is Jolly Grant airport of Dehradun. Jolly Grant is well connected with Delhi and major cities of the country. From the airport, you can take a cab to Lansdowne or you can also catch a public bus from Dehradun to Lansdowne.

Nearest Airport: Dehradun – 83 km from Lansdowne

 

How to Reach Lansdowne by Road

There are a number of buses plying to Lansdowne from Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, and cities nearby. If you cannot find a bus to Lansdowne you can take a bus to Kotdwar and take another bus from Kotdwar to Lansdowne.

  

How to Reach Lansdowne by Train

The nearest railway station to Lansdowne is Kotdwar, at 40 km away from Lansdowne. You can take a cab from Kotdwar to Lansdowne.