Mussoorie is a hill station, situated on a horse-shoe shaped ridge in the Shivalik mountain range on the foothills of the Himalayas, about 2,500m above sea level. It is one of the most beautiful cities in India. Due to its immense natural beauty, Mussoorie is known as the queen of hill stations. The name, Mussoorie, is derived from plants of 'Mussoorie' which were found in abundance here. After its discovery, this hill station gradually developed as a center of education, business, tourism and beauty.
Mussoorie is famous for its serenity and scenic beauty, and it is well know for it’s colonial era feel that it’s maintained over the years through its architecture. Mussoorie is also famous for its world renowned educational institutions and training institutes, like the Indian Administrative Services (IAS) and Indian Police Services (IPS). Mussoorie also boasts Ruskin Bond the popular author as one of its famous residents.
Places to see in Mussoorie:
•Gun Hill Gun Hill is the second highest point in Mussoorie and offers the best view of the valley below. The ropeway ride from the Mall to this hill (Rs 25) is sheer exhilaration. A bird's eye-view of Mussoorie town, Doon Valley and the Bunderpunch, Srikantha, Pithwara and Gangotri group of the Himalayas can be seen from here. One can also approach Gun Hill from a pathway, which forks off from the Mall Road near Kutchery. It takes about 20 minutes to reach the top.
•Municipal Gardens The municipal or the Company gardens was previously (before independence) was also known as Botanical gardens of Mussoorie. These gardens were laid by famous geologist Dr. H. Fackner in the last century.
•Cloud’s End 18 km away from Mussoorie, this is the most appropriate place for honeymooners. Originally a bungalow built in 1838 by a British Major, Cloud's End has now been converted into a hotel. The resort is surrounded by lush forests and houses a wide variety of flora and fauna, besides offering a panoramic view of snow clad Himalayas and the Yamuna River.
•Tibetan Temple This temple is located in Happy valley area of Mussoorie. Both Company gardens and Tibetan temple can be seen in one day. They are located one kilometer from Lal Bahadur Shastri National Administrative Academy. The Tibetan temple is evidence to rich Tibetan cultural heritage. This temple is sure to attract attention of tourists.
•Bhadraj Temple About 15 kms. from Mussoorie, it is ideal spot for trekking via Park Toll - Clouds end, Dudhi. Situated on the extreme western region of Mussoorie town, Bhadraj offers a commanding view of Doon Valley. Chakrata ranges and Jaunsar Bhabar area can be viewed from here. Bhadraj temple is dedicated to Lord Bal Bhadra, brother of Lord Krishna.
•Nag Devta Temple An ancient temple dedicated to Snake God Lord Shiva and is situated on Cart Mackenjee road is about 6 kms from Mussoorie on way to Dehradun. Vehicles can go right upto the temple. Place provies a enchanting view of Mussoorie & Doon valley.
•Childer's Lodge Take a horse to the highest peak of Mussoorie near Lal Tibba. Only about 5 km from Mussoorie, you could even take a leisurely walk up to the top. The breath-taking view from up here is worth the climb.
Shopping in Mussoorie Mussoorie is famous for wooden decorative and gift items. But one can also bargain brass statues and ceramic vases. Some good showrooms are located on the Mall where one can look for wooden boxes, brass statues, Tibetan Prayer wheels and vases. The hand carved oakwood walking sticks are also popular among tourists. In the markets, photographs can be clicked wearing a dazzling Garhwali Dress. To be photographed in Garhwali garb against a painted Himalayan range makes a wonderful picture.
Climate in Mussoorie Mussoorie is a hill station which has pleasant climate around the year. It is a very cool place with greenery at its full bloom during September to November. The best seasons to visit Mussoorie are between April to June and again during September to November. When the plains of North India experience heat waves, Mussoorie provides a welcome break. September - November is spring time here. During this season Himalayas are clearly visible. It is better to avoid monsoons as the roads to Mussoorie are in bad shape. Same thing applies for the winter when roads are blocked due to snowfall.
How to reach there:
By Air Indian Airlines has five flights a week from Delhi to the Jolly Grant Airport. Airport: Jolly Grant is the nearest functioning airport, at a distance of 59 km.
By Rail Dehradun is connected to major cities with super-fast trains such as the Mussoorie Express, the Bombay Doon Express, Calcutta-Howrah-Doon Express and Gorakhpur-Doon Express. The Shatabdi Express leaves New Delhi every day except Thursdays. Railway station: Dehradun, 34 km away, serves as the railhead for Mussoorie.
By Road There are several buses from Delhi to this hill station, both private and state-run. From Dehradun to Mussoorie, one can hire cabs or take any of the buses plying from just outside the Dehradun Railway Station. If travelling from Jammu, Saharanpur is the convenient place to catch a bus directly to Mussoorie. The road from Delhi is well maintained and the 269 km journey can be completed in six hours.
Mathura is situated on the west bank of river Yamuna in Uttar Pradesh and is famous as the birthplace of Lord Krishna, an important deity in the Hindu religious pantheon. Mathura is an important pilgrimage center of the Hindus and one of the seven sacred cities in India.
History Mathura is one of the few cities of India, which has been mentioned both in history and mythology. On the mythological front, since Mathura is believed to be the birthplace of Lord Krishna so it is full of stories of Lord Krishna. In the Dwapara Yuga, Shri Krishna was born as the eighth son of the Yadava prince Vasudeva and his wife Devaki, cousin sister of Kansa who was the ruler of Mathura. Kansa had heard a voice in the sky telling him that the eighth child of Devaki would kill him. Fearing his death he imprisoned Devaki and Vasudeva and killed their seven children. To save the eighth child from the murderous intentions of his maternal uncle, the infant Krishna soon after birth was spirited to Gokul. Krishna grew up in Vrindavan to kill Kansa.
Places to see in Mathura:
Shri Krishna Janmbhoomi A temple marks the birthplace of Lord Krishna today. A narrow passage leads one into a small room with a raised platform adorned with pictures of Krishna as a child to the left. The story of His birth is written and depicted on the walls. A narrow set of marble steps leads you to the terrace and a walled corridor creates the effect of a prison. The prison and the other buildings were razed to the ground in the 17th century but were restored in 1962 by industrialists like G.D. Birla.
Dwarkadish Temple Situated to the north of Mathura, built in 1815 this temple is dedicated to Lord Krishna. A staunch and wealthy devotee, Seth Gokuldas Parikh, built it with lots of enchanting paintings and beautiful carvings. During the festivals Holi, Janmashtami and Diwali this temple is decorated gorgeously.
Radharamana Temple When the soldiers of the fanatical Muslim Emperor Aurangazeb attacked Vrindavan, the original deity of Madana Mohana was taken to Karauli in Rajasthan for safekeeping. Later in a forest, which is the present Vrindavan, this temple was established and it is believed that the Deity self manifested from a Saligram-sila. The presiding deity called as Radharamana, symbolizes as the omnipotent that gives pleasure to Radha his consort. A crown is kept next to the deity signifying Radha's presence.
Rangbhoomi Rangbhoomi situated opposite to the post office in Mathura, is said to be the wrestling arena where Krishna killed Kansa in a duel. According to Hindu mythology, Kansa had put his father and parents of Lord Krishna in prison and usurped the throne. Krishna killed him and set his parents free reinstating his maternal grandfather Ugrasena on the throne.
Rangaji Temple This is the largest temple in Vrindavan built in 1854 by Seth Govind Das and the presiding deity is Lord Sri Ranganatha popularly known as Rangaji who is seen lying down on the Sesha Naga (celestial serpent). This South Indian styled temple has exquisite Rajput architecture on its main gate.
Festivals:
Holi Holi is celebrated in the temples before it is celebrated on the streets, as it is considered auspicious to play with the Lord, first. This festival is preceded by performances that last well over a week. Artists from various parts of the country gather here to perform raas leela, or dance recitals depicting Krishna’s flirtatious interlude with the gopis, or the village maidens. Gayan mandalis, or singing troupes that render folk songs particularly associated with Holi, flock to this place. The artistic exuberance associated with the festival is termed as Rang Gulal.
Janmashtami Of course, the most important festival is Janmashtami. The birth of Shri Krishna is celebrated with great pomp and splendour. The Raaslila is enacted recreating the many legends of Shri Krishna's life - his exploits and his amorous dalliances with the gopis. Ceremonies in the temples at midnight include the bathing of the image of infant Krishna which is then placed in a silver cradle. Songs of devotion are sung and toys offered for the amusement of the divine child. Thousands gather to offer their prayers and Mathura is astir with their devotion and celebrations.
How to Get There:
Air Nearest airport is Kheria (Agra), 62 km.
Rail Mathura is on the main lines of the Central and Western Railways and is connected with all the important cities of the state and country such as Delhi, Agra, Mumbai, Jaipur, Gwalior, Calcutta, Hyderabad, Chennai, Lucknow etc.
Road Mathura is connected to all the major cities, by National Highways. It is linked by the regular state bus services of Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Haryana.
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