Lansdowne – Home of Garhwal Rifles
If you want a quick break to rejuvenate without involving too much time and effort, then Lansdowne is the place for you. There is not much to “sightsee” in Lansdowne town. Nevertheless, you connect with your inner self rather than collecting images for FB picture gallery during these short breaks. Take a stroll in the majestic oak & pine forests, reclaim freedom from deadlines by trekking into the wild. Hear the sweet symphony of wind, trees, and birds, or simply do nothing here! A pure, alluring, refreshing, quiet and clean environment makes Lansdowne a preferred destination. You experience serenity and escape from the humdrum city life.
Our Bucket List for Lansdowne Town
- Kaleshwar Mahadev Temple
- Hawaghar
- War Memorial
- Bhim Pakora
- Bhulla Tal
- St. John’s Catholic Church
- St. Mary’s Church
- Tip N Top
- Tadkeshwar Mahadev Temple
Tadkeshwar Mahadev Temple is 30 km away from Lansdowne town and nearer to Tiger Resort. So, we kept it for tomorrow’s itinerary. Today we are going to explore the colonial era architecture town and its surroundings.
Kaleshwar Mahadev Temple
Believed to be 5000 years old it is the oldest temple building of Lansdowne town. When the Garhwal Rifles reached Lansdowne town on 4 November 1887, the site only had the idol of Lord Shiva. Locals and villagers flock the temple frequently specially on ‘Shivratri’. It now draws lots of civilian devotees.
Hawaghar
Hawaghar is a picturesque location 2 km from main market of Lansdowne town. It offers beautiful views of the snow covered Himalayas. The serene ambiance of the place is a treat for nature lovers, who can also choose to embark on trekking expeditions to explore the places nearby.
NOTE: Please don’t be fooled by the picture of Hawaghar on Camel’s Back Road Mussoorie as available on many websites.
Lansdowne War Memorial
The War Memorial dedicated to the Garhwal Rifle Regiment, of the Indian Army, is one of the main attractions in Lansdowne town. Lord Rawlinson of Trent (then commander in chief, India) established it on November 11, 1923. The Parade Ground in Lansdowne hoses it to mark the heroics of the Garhwal regiment. General public require prior permission to enter both the war memorial and the parade ground.
Bhim Pakora
Bhim Pakora is a historical attraction located at a distance of about 2 km from Gandhi Chowk in Lansdowne town. It presents one of the shortest yet adventurous trekking routes comprising of a rough terrain going both uphill and downhill. As per legends, the Pandavas, the mythological characters from the Hindu epic, the Mahabharata, used to cook their food here during their exile. People believe that Bhim, one of the Pandavas, had placed one rock on top of the other. Although you can move the upper rock by one finger it won’t topple due to perfect balance.
Bhulla Tal
Thick Oak and Pine forest surround Bhulla Tal, a man-made artificial lake. The Garhwal Rifles made and maintain the lake. Take a walk from Gandhi Chowk. After Cantonment Board’s office comes the Army Public School. A little further comes Bhulla Tal. ‘Bhulla’ in local garhwali language means ‘Young Brother’. The young garhwali youth of Garhwal Rifles helped in construction of the lake. So, it was dedicate to them.
We enjoyed paddle boating in the lake. For children there is a park near the lake. One can also find small souvenir shop, a cafe, herbal plants nursery, enclosure for rabbits near the lake. A small over bridge on the lake attracts visitors for a best lake view. Stands are there to sit besides the lake. The lake’s surrounding get aesthetics by a bamboo scaffolding and fountains.
St. John’s Catholic Church
St. John’s Church: On the Mall, the Roman Catholic Church (now St. John’s Church), situated just above the road on the spur below the Forest bungalow was completed in 1934. People abandoned the Church for years. The Government of India acquired it in 1951. It reopened on November 29th 1980. St John’s Church is the only working Church in Lansdowne and holds daily prayers.
NOTE: If you follow Google map then there are 3 entries of St. John’s Church in Lansdowne. The one that reads St. John’ Catholic Church (RMVM+VC Kura Range, Uttarakhand) is the correct one. The other two named St. John’s Church (RMQP+3R Lansdowne, Uttarakhand) and Saint John Church Lansdowne Uttarakhand (VP96+2R Lansdowne, Uttarakhand) respectively are both wrong markers.
St. Mary’s Church
St. Mary’s Church is mere 400 mts. ahead of St. John’s Church. Colonel (then Lieutenant) A. H. B. Hume of Royal Engineers began its construction in 1895 and completed it in 1896. St. Marry’s Church fell into disuse after 1947 and gradually began to deteriorate. Garhwal Rifles Regimental center restored the building with additional facilities of relevant pre-independence photographs and audio visual display of Regimental history.
Tip N Top
Another 500 meters ahead of St. Mary’ Church brought us to Tip N Top popularly known as Tiffin Top. At 1700 meters it is one of the highest places in Lansdowne. From Tip N Top one can see complete skyline with magnificent Shivalik range. There is a beautiful hut house maintained by GMVN for night stay. It has both family suites as well as huts.
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