Mussoorie.....The Queen Of Hills....

Mussoorie.....Towards Paradise On Earth...

From Rishikesh we started our journey towards Mussoorie...The Queen Of Hills....The next stop was Mussoorie in the Char Dham journey.Peace and tranquility can be found high up in the hills at the foot of the Himalayan mountains. Access is restricted this time of year to many of the higher mountain passes - closed due to snow and ice - but Mussoorie is easily accessible all year round from Dehra Dun via Rishikesh or Haridwar. Be warned however its pretty damn cold with temperatures touching freezing at night.

En Route To Mussoorie from Dehradun.......

Pleasant nights, whispering pine, fresh air, excellent walks and respite from the scorching heat and dust of the plains, remind one of the irresistible Mussoorie - a queen of hills.As the mercury rises and the educational institutions close, families and young folks set out for Mussoorie for a breathing spell. Perched atop a high ridge overlooking the Doon Valley, Mussoorie has thickly wooded Shivalik range on one side and snow capped mountains of inner Himalayas on the other side.

View Of Doon Valley...

The town sits on the hillside and harbours great views of Dehra Dun several thousand meters below. At least that's the case usually at this time of year; at other times it is apparently often shrouded in mist. Mussoorie is popular with the Indian holiday makers and is a popular retreat during the summer months when it is much cooler higher up and the local falls provide an ideal way to cool off.

View Of Doon Valley...

Mussoorie drives its name from masur as a name given to Coriana nepalensis shrub. Its history is dated back to 1827 when Captain Young, an adventure seeking military officer, discovered Mussoorie and laid down the foundation of this beautiful hill station of Uttarakhand. Its proximity to the plains slowly attracted more and more people who build their summer retreats here.Mussoorie has fascinated people of literary distinctions for years. The first Australian-born novelist, John Lang spent the last years of his life in Mussoorie. He died in 1864 and was buried here in the old English cemetery.Today you may find Mussoorie a bit crowded but still it is the most sought after hill station, which has few rivals for sheer grandeur of its surrounding.

Engulfing Clouds....

Beautiful promenades, excellent clubs, means of entertainment and choice of activities. A tourist here can trek, ramble, play golf or tennis, limber up legs at the Mall for souvenirs or savour the delights of cultural shows.Built initially as a summer resort, the natural beauty of Mussoorie and abundance of picnic spots in the hills are its prime attraction.

A View Of Military Base En Route From Dehradun To Mussoorie....

This growing town has changed over the last decade due to the overload of ‘tourism’ but it still has some of it’s old charm if you are ready to look beyond the Mall Road, the Gun Hill and the Kempty Fall – the three most famous and commercialized places here. Mussoorie’s other gems are its several walks. In fact it’s a walker’s paradise. So if you are not just those kind of tourists then try its walks. Camel’s Back Road walk is one of the favorites, which provides you the view of the valley, mountains in total peace.

The Library,One Of The Oldest Building @ One End Of The Mall Road,And Hence Called Library Square...

The Mall Road...

Start of The mall Road @ The Library Square...

The Much fascinating places in and near Mussoorie includes the Gun Hill Point..It is a bare rocky outcrop in the centre of the hill station. Gun hill is so named because the hilltop had a gun mounted on it before independence. It was fired at mid of the day to announce the time. Hence it is called Gun Hill. The spot offers panoramic view of snow clad Himalayan ranges including Bunder punch, Srikanth, Pithwara and Gangotri group. A birds eye view from this point is very fascinating. Access to Gun Hill is either along a bridle path from Mall near Kutchery or by a ropeway carriage. The ropeway distance up to Gun Hill is only 400 metres and the sheer thrill of the ride is memorable.

In The Trolley(Gandola) From Gun Hill Point




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Old Mussoorie From Gun Hill Point...

View From Gun Point...

Municipal garden : It is a picnic spot having a beautiful garden and an artificial mini lake with boating facilities. The distance by cycle rickshaw, pony or a car is 4 kms. But if you walk the distance it is only 2 kms.

Municipal Garden...

The Begonias @ Municipal Garden

The Begonias @ Municipal Garden

The Artificial Waterfalls @ Municipal Garden

Kempty Fall: It has the distinction of being the biggest and the most magnificent waterfalls in a beautiful valley surrounded by high mountains. Bath at the foot of the falls is refreshing and enjoyable for both children and adults alike. Taxis and conducted tours are available from Mussoorie. There is a cafeteria close by for snacks and small meals

On The Way To Kempty Falls...

Kempty Falls Distant View

Dhanaulti:Dhanaulti, located amidst thick, virgin forests of Deodar, Rhododendron and Oak, has an atmosphere of perfect peace & tranquility. The long wooded slopes, relaxed outdoors, cool crossing breeze, warm and hospitable inhabitants, lovely weather and fabulous view of snow covered mountains is an ideal retreat for a nature lover...Dhanolti or Dhanaulti is unspoilt, quiet and with beautiful views situated 30 kms away from Mussoorie on Chamba Route.

Himalayan Panorama,The Greater Himalayan Range Seen From Dhanaulti..

The drive through the dense forest is a refreshing one and the range of mountains keep our eyes delighted with changing panorama.The walk through the deodar forest and now and then the glimpses of the icy mountains kept our enthusiasm alive till we reached the top. The view was good but not very impressive. A small portion of the range was visible because another range of mountains blocked the view of the Gangotri glacier. I was adamant to see the full view and hence went alone in search of a path which could lead me to the highest point from where I could see the whole range.

A View From Dhanaulti "View point" up hill

Mist In The Morning

Beautiful view of Swararohini,Banderpoonch 2,Banderpoonch and Kalanag peaks from left.from Dhanaulti

All I can describe Mussoorie is like this way:

The path of mossy ground nestled
In between maternal hedgerows,
That overgrew atop, dimming out
The brilliance of the day.
Embosomed, a calm-cool vision –
Abstract takes of nature, in
Leaf-spattered green shades;
Stem-speckled brown hues;
Shards of sunlight percolating
Through the random flaws to
Up glittering sprites upon the leaves...

My owned hotel @ Mussoorie.

Rain From The Windows of My Room

Nature @ Glance

Night View Of Mussoorie

My Journey Continued towards Yamunotri...

Rishikesh...Bliss On The Holy Banks Of Ganga.....

                         Rishikesh - Gateway to the Himalayas....

Rishikesh represents the Gateway to the Himalayas in the Tehri-Garhwal region of Uttar Pradesh. It abounds in natural splendour. The spectacle of the Ganga rushing through the Himalayan foothills is an awesome sight. Several temples dot the banks of the Ganga at Rishikesh.

Rishikesh is located at a height of about 1360 feet above sea level. It is believed that several yogis and sages lived and practised penance here. Rishikesh represents the site where Lord Vishnu vanquished the demon Madhu. हृषीकेश is a name of Lord Vishnu that means 'lord of the senses'. Rishikesh is a holy city for Hindus located in the foothills of the Himalaya in northern India. The place got its name after Lord Vishnu who appeared to 'Raibhya Rishi', as a result of his tapasya (austerities), as Lord Hrishikesh . In Skanda Purana, this area is known as 'Kubjamrak' as Lord Vishnu appeared, under a mango tree

Rishikesh derived from the word Hrishikesh, is another name of Lord Vishnu, who is said to have destroyed the demon Madhu here. Legend also has it that Lord Rama, on the advice of the sage Vasishtha, sought penance here after having killed Ravana. Thus in Sanskrit, Rishikesh means 'he who has conquered his senses'.

Aarti On The Banks Of Ganga

Historically, Hrishikesh, has been a part of the legendary 'Kedarkhand' (the present day Garhwal), the abode of Shiva. Legends state that Lord Rama did penance here for killing Ravana, the demon king of Lanka; and Lakshmana, his younger brother, crossed the river Ganga, at a point, where the present 'Lakshman Jhula' bridge stands today, using a jute rope bridge. The 'Kedar Khand' of Skanda Purana, also mentions the existence of Indrakund at this very point.

Statue Of Lord Shiva

The sacred river Ganga flows through Rishikesh. In fact, it is here that the river leaves the Shivalik mountains in the Himalayas and flows out into the plains of northern India. Several temples, ancient as well as new, can be found along the banks of the Ganges in Rishikesh. The city attracts thousands of pilgrims and tourists each year, from within India, as well as from other countries.


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Laxman Jhoola

Tryambakeshwar Temple

Rishikesh, sometimes nicknamed "the world capital of Yoga", has numerous yoga centres that also attract tourists. It is believed that meditation in Rishikesh brings one closer to attainment of moksha, as does a dip in the holy river that flows through it. It is also becoming a popular spot for white water rafting enthusiasts, both from India and abroad, as it offers medium to rough rapids in the course of river Ganges.

Ganga sen from Laxman Jhoola

The Other Side Of Laxman Jhoola

Rishikesh became famous when Beatles visited now defunct Mahesh Yogi Ashram.They composed some of their songs on the bank of the river.

Lachman Jhoola....The main attraction of Rishikesh. It is a suspended bridge, built in 1939. Surajmal Nagarmal, the famous merchants of Calcutta paid the cost of the bridge.Just across the bridge, on the other side two temples will certainly attract attentions by their sheer heights! One is 13 storied temple and the other one is 12 storied temple… Visit them if you have ample time. Deities are placed all over the temples from ground 0 to upwards…

The Lachman Jhoola and 13+12 storied temples on the other bank

The name Rishikesh is loosely applied to an association of five distinct sections encompassing not only the town but also hamlets and settlements on both sides of the river Ganges.North of Rishikesh; the temple section of Lakshman Jhula, a little further north; and the assorted Ashrams around Swarg Ashram on the east bank. One can reach the famous Neelakanta Maha Deva Temple from here. The Ganga Arati performed at dusk at the Triveni Ghat is popular with visitors.

On The Way To Neelkanth Mahadev Temple..

The temple is very old and Shrabanimela, every year in mid July , occurs here.

Shri Neelkanth Mahadev Temple

About a Km from entrance of Ram Jhoola( Also known as Shivananda Jhoola) is Geeta Bhavan . The epics, Ramayana and Mahabharata are sculpted on its wall. It is run by famous Geeta Press of Gorakhpur and was established in 1950. Ram Jhoola is longer and wider than its younger brother. It is too a hanging bridge.You can feed the fishes in the river from here.

The Ram Jhoola Or The Shivanand Jhoola

On Triveni Ghat In the evening The Sandhya Aaarti just like Haridwar is performed here too. But it is not as gorgeous as Haridwar.But the scenic beauty of this place gave it another dimension.

Sandhya Aarti On Triveni Ghat

Rishikunda and Raghunathji Mandir are adjacent to it.About ½ km away is Bharat Mandir built by Adiguru Shankarcharya. The main deity is Lord Vishnu, carved out one piece Shaligram.It was destroyed by Taimur in 1398 and it was rebuilt afterwards.One thing caught my mind, in Rishikesh all the four brothers are worshipped in different temples. Raghunathji and Bharat mandir in Triveni Ghat area, Laxman mandir near Lachman Jhoola and Shatrughna mandir near Muni ki reti area.

Rishi Kunda and Raghunathji Temple -Triveni Ghat

The Bharat Mandir

The Shiva who wore shoes! It has been mentioned in the small museum adjacent to the temple .

The Ferry Ghat From Ram Jhoola

From tourist point of views Rishikesh can be divided into 3 parts.
1. Laxman Jhoola and adjoining mandirs.
2. Ram Jhoola and adjoining ashrams and Yoga study centers

3. Triveni Ghat and adjoining mandirs.

Sun, The Boat and The River

Giant Statue Of Lord Shiva

Famous Chotiwala Restaurant

Giant Statue Of Lord Shiva

|| ॐ नमः शिवाय ||

Landscape Of Rishikesh

Haridwar....The Gateway To The Four Pilgrimages.....

Haridwar....The Abode Of Lord Shiva....

Haridwar,a holy place of the Saints and Sagas,where the Holy Ganges is revered,is located n the foothills of the Himalayas, represents the point where the Ganga reaches the plains. Haridwar is an ancient pilgrimage site, held in reverence for centuries. The Chinese pilgrim Hyuen Tsang who visited India in the first millennium CE, describes Haridwar as Mayura, on the eastern banks of the Ganges. Several temples and ashrams dot this town and a visit to Haridwar is like stepping into a totally different world.

A sage in Haridwar..

Legend has it that Bhagiratha, brought the Ganges into the earth, and into this point where his ancestors were burnt to ashes by the curse of the sage Kapila. Kapilastaan, a spot in Haridwar is pointed to as Kapila's hermitage. Haridwar was once known as Gangadwara. Haridwar (and Rishikesh) represents the gateway to the Himalayan pilgrimage shrines of Gangotri,Yamunotri,Badrina

th ,Kedarnath. The pilgrimage to the Himalayan shrines begins only when the sun reaches the zodiac sign of Aries. Haridwar is also the site of celebration of the Kumbha Mela, once in twelve years, when Jupiter transits to the zodiac sign of Aquarius.

A Flower Market On Ram Ghat..In the evening

The five sacred bathing spots in Haridwar are Gangadwara, Kankhal, Nila Parvata, Bilwa Theertha and Kusavarta. The main ghat at Haridwar is known as Hari-ki-Pairi (known for a footprint of Vishnu on a stone in a wall). Nearby is the Gangadwara temple, the most important of the several temples that dot this town. The Ganga Aarti which is celebrated at 7 pm each night, is a spectacular sight, when the aarti ceremony is performed at all temples in Haridwar at the same instant

The Evening Aarti Of Ganga @ Haridwar...

Crowd of devotees for the Aarti.

Hundreds throng to the ghats at Hari-ki-Pairi to participate in this festival. Offerings of lamps and flowers are made to the river immediately following this ceremony and it is a moving sight to watch hundreds of miniature lamps float along the river.

The Lights are being flown in Ganga

Near Haridwar are the towns of Mayapuri and Kankhal. Kankhal houses the Daksheswara temple, said to be the site of Daksha's yagna, which was destroyed by Shiva.

One of many temples in Haridwar.

Dakhsa Mahadev Mandir – 4 Km from Haridwar in Kankhal ..You all know about the death of Sati and how Bhole Baba demolished Dakhsa Yagna…A Shivji Mandir is at that place and most revered place in Haridwar.

Parad Shiv mandir

Parad Shiv Ling @ daksheshwara Temple

Harihar Ashram – 3 km from Haridwar, Acharya Gaddhi of Shri Panchdasnam Juna


akhara, now Swami Avdheshanand Giri ji heads it. The main attraction of this is 150 kg Shivling. The other attraction to me is the huge Rudrakhsa Tree right at the entrance and it is being worshiped.

Harihar Ashram

Rudraksha tree @ Harihar Ashram

Entering In The Heaven...Kashmir Valley...

                 Crossing Into The Kashmir Valley

The drive over the Zoji La (3,500m) into the Sindh Valley (the Kashmir Valley’s largest tributary) took us into a green paradise after the dust and rubble of the previous one and a half days. Our first glimpse of the valley really was jaw-dropping. The U-shaped valley is vast, speckled with trees, lush grass and interspersed with exposed slopes of solid rock. Snow caps the mountain peaks and the scent of pine drifts through the window where before there was only dust. It finally felt like we were in Kashmir proper and the greenery flourished as we drove past paddy fields towards Srinagar.

Crossing into the Kashmir Valley

 

Sonmarg

 

Sonmarg valley Between kargil and Srinagar

 

Sonmarg valley

Cosmos Flower in Sonmarg valley

Taking a shikara across Srinagar’s Dal Lake 

 

Arriving in Srinagar after two days of dusty roads was like crossing the finish line of a marathon. Crinkling out of the jeep, we were guided into a shikara and paddled across Dal Lake to our houseboat. The shikara has got to be the ultimate mode of transport. There is nothing more peaceful in this world than being gently ferried through the lotus flowers with a mountain backdrop and dinner and a comfortable bed waiting!

The Royal Palace houseboat on Dal Lake

The Royal Palace houseboat was our home for the next four days. Not bad eh?! This luxury houseboat is a throwback to colonial times when the British weren’t allowed to own land in Kashmir, although they could stay on the water. In typically British fashion, they went about making themselves as comfortable as possible by building floating palaces in which to live.

The Road Through Kargil

 The Road Through Kargil

 

The road from Leh to Srinagar cuts right through Kargil, the most important site of the 1999 Kargil War, which kicked off when Pakistani soldiers and Kashmiri freedom fighters crossed the Line of Control. The clash occurred both in Kargil and along the ridges overlooking this strategically important section of the Leh-Srinagar road. It was the first ground conflict between India and Pakistan since they both developed nuclear weapons and so became the focus of media coverage around the world.

Driving along this section of road was nerve-wracking, mostly due to our over-active imaginations. Bunkers filled with rifle-toting Indian soldiers line the road and the atmosphere is further intensified by the oppressive dryness of the air and land which sucks the moisture from your tongue as you breathe.

  A friendly soldier guarding the Operation Vijay memorial near Drass 

Operation Vijay was a successful Indian attempt to push the infiltrators back across the border during the 1999 Kargil War. This memorial to the Indian soldiers who lost their lives in the operation has recently been opened to the public. It is near Drass, which also holds the unenviable record of being the second-coldest inhabited place on earth, after Oymyakon, Siberia.

                                                                             Kargil Town

                                                                             Mulbekh

The Indian soldiers guarding the gate were very friendly and happy to have their photo taken. Interestingly, the army and Jammu & Kashmir tourism department are now working to promote the area as an adventure tourism destination with plans for a golf course, pony trekking, mountaineering and high-altitude camping. Nearby Kargil is already popular with domestic tourists who come to pay their respects to those who lost their lives in 1999, see damage done by shells dropped, and visit Tiger Hill, site of the fiercest battles.

                                                                             Drass

Tiger Hill

                                                                           

                                                           Indian Army Chopper            

....................Continued