Lansdowne

Lansdowne:

Quick Facts:

Country: India

State: Uttarakhand

District: Pauri Garhwal

Elevation: 1,780 m

Established: 1887

Named after: Lord Lansdowne

Tourism: St Mary’s Church, Tip-in-Top, Bhulla Tal Lake, War Memorial Museum, Tarkeshwar Mahadev temple, Kaleshwar Mahadev temple and many more. 


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History of Lansdowne

Seasons in Lansdowne

Tourism

Lansdowne is a popular hill station located in Uttarakhand, India. Located at an altitude of 1,780 m above sea level, the place is famous for its natural beauty and serene atmosphere. It is a cantonment town in Pauri Garhwal district which is still unexplored by the people.  The place was founded in 1887 by the British as a military garrison.

The place is named after the British Viceroy of India, Lord Lansdowne. The place is surrounded by thick pine and oak trees and offers a panoramic view of the Himalayas on a clear day. The town is located on the banks of the Kho river which is a tributary of Yamuna River. There are many tourist places to visit like the War Memorial, the Garhwal Rifles, St Mary’s Church, Bhulla Tal lake, Tip-in-Top and many more.

Lansdowne is a popular destination for trekking, camping, and bird-watching. The town is also famous for its rich flora and fauna, including several species of birds, butterflies, and wildflowers. 


Lansdowne in Uttarakhand

History of Lansdowne

Lansdowne was founded in 1887 by the British as a military garrison due to its salubrious climate. It was named after the then Viceroy of India, Lord Lansdowne. The British established the Garhwal Rifles Regimental Centre and it became an important centre for the recruitment and training of soldiers. On November 5th 1887 the first batch of Garhwal Rifles moved from Almora to Lansdowne. Even during World War I, Lansdowne played a very important role as a recruiting centre for the British Indian Army. Many soldiers were trained before being deployed to various warfronts.

Even to this day, Lansdowne is a popular tourist destination in Uttarakhand, attracting visitors from all over India and abroad. The town's rich history and colonial architecture are preserved in its numerous museums, monuments, and heritage buildings.

How to reach Lansdowne

Lansdowne is well connected with many important towns and cities across India. It is the nearest hill station to Delhi and can be reached by road or rail. 

By air: The nearest airport is the Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun which is around 150 kms. This airport is well connected to Delhi. One can take a flight from Delhi to Dehradun and then drive down to Lansdowne. 

By Rail: The nearest railway station is near Kotdwar which is around 40 km from Lansdowne. Kotdwar is well connected to major cities across Uttarakhand. From Kotdwar to Lansdowne one can drive down which is very scenic and beautiful. 

By road: It is well connected with the road. Both state and private buses ply from different places  to Lansdowne. ANother route is from Delhi. After reaching Delhi one can book a cab and drive through Delhi- Meerut Expressway. Road is really good and well maintained. The Garhwal Rifles have painted a huge signboard with directions on rocks.


Seasons/Climate in Lansdowne

Lansdowne experiences good weather throughout the year. 

Summer season: April to June is the summer season. The maximum temperature may hover around 35-degree Celsius. The weather remains pleasant, and it is the best period to visit the place. On a clear day one can see the mighty Himalayan mountains from Tip-in-Top.

Monsoon Season: July to September is the rainy season. Lansdowne receives heavy rainfall during this period. It is better to avoid visiting Lansdowne during the monsoon season.

Winter Season: November to February is the winter season. During the peak winter months of December and January the minimum temperature may reach sub zero levels. The town may also receive snowfall during the peak months. Heavy woolen clothing is needed during the winter months.


Places of Interest/Tourism in Lansdowne

Tourism in Lansdowne

Lansdowne is a popular tourist destination in Uttarakhand, known for its natural beauty and serene environment. There are several tourist places at and around Lansdowne that one can explore. The War Memorial is the major attraction here. There is a museum which is dedicated to the Garhwal Rifles Regiment and showcases the history, traditions, and achievements of the regiment. Tarkeshwar Mahadev Temple is an ancient temple dedicated to Lord Shiva and is located in a scenic spot amidst dense forests. There is a Church called St. Mary's Church which is one of the oldest churches in the region and is known for its colonial architecture and serene environment.

War Memorial: 

War memorial is one of the main tourist attractions in Lansdowne. The museum is dedicated to the Garhwal Rifles Regiment of the Indian Army. The Garhwal War Memorial was established in 1923 by Lord Rawlinson who was the Commander in Chief at that time. It is located at the Parade Ground in Lansdowne. The museum is open from 9 am to 6 pm. Photography is strictly prohibited. The place is very well maintained by the Garhwal Rifles.


The museum showcases the history, traditions and the various achievements of the regiment. The museum also has a large collection of artifacts, weapons and memorabilia related to the regiment. The museum has several galleries that showcase the history of the regiment including its participation in World War I and II. One can buy some souvenirs related to the regiment such as badges, caps and t-shirts. It is a must visit place in Lansdowne.


St Mary's Church

St Mary’s Church:

It is a Church of historical importance. The church was built by AHB Hume of Royal Engineering in 1895 in colonial architecture. It is dedicated to St Mary. It was completed in 1896.

The church is located in a picturesque spot surrounded by lush green trees and offers a peaceful retreat to visitors. The architecture of the church is reminiscent of the colonial era, with a high roof, stained glass windows, and a bell tower.


Tip-n-Top:

It is a popular tourist place in Lansdowne. Most of the people visit this place to see the stunning panoramic view of the surrounding mountains. On a clear day one can, be lucky to see the mighty Himalayas. It is just around 2 km from the city.  It is at an height of 1700 m above sea level and gives magnificent views of the hills. The viewpoint is easily accessible by road and the visitors can enjoy a scenic drive through the forested hills before reaching Tip-n-Top. It is a popular spot for photographers and bird watching.


Tip-n-Top is a popular spot for photographers and nature lovers, and it offers a great opportunity to witness the beauty of the natural landscape. Visitors can spend hours admiring the stunning views, breathing in the fresh mountain air, and enjoying the peaceful environment.


Bhulla Tal Lake

Bhulla Tal Lake: 

It is a small well-maintained lake located in the heart of Lansdowne. It is a man made lake surrounded by lush green forest and is popular for boating and peaceful environment. The lake is maintained by the Indian Army and is open from 10 am to 5 pm. It is dedicated to Garhwali youth of Garhwal  Rifles who helped in the construction of the lake. Bhulla in the Garhwali language means younger brother. Tal is a lake, Bhulla Tal is also known as Bhulla Lake.


According to local legend, the lake was built by the Garhwal Rifles Regiment as a recreational spot for the younger soldiers.

The lake is surrounded by a well-maintained garden with several benches and sitting areas, making it a great spot for picnic and relaxing. Visitors can take a walk around the lake, enjoy boating, or simply sit by the lake and enjoy the tranquility of the surroundings. Beautiful duck shaped paddling boats are available to do boating with minimal fee. All safeguards are provided by the authority before going for boating.


Bhulla Tal Lake

The lake is home to several species of fish, and visitors can indulge in fishing with the necessary permits. There are also a number of ducks in the lake.  There is also a small cafeteria near the lake that serves snacks and beverages. One can indulge in some shopping in the souvenir shop near the lake.

Tarakeshwar Mahadev :

It is a very ancient Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple is surrounded by thick forests of pine and cedar. The temple is located at an altitude of 1800 meters above sea level at a distance of 38 km and is believed to be more than 1000 years old. According to local legends, the temple was built by Lord Vishwakarma, the Hindu God of architecture.


According to the legend, Tarakasur who was a demon meditated and worshiped lord Shiva for a boon. Lord Shiva appeared before Tarakasur and gave him a boon of immortality except from Lord Shiva’s son. Tarakasur who was a demon started his evil practice of killing the sages and disturbing the peaceful environment. On seeing this Lord Shiva married Parvati and Karthikeya was born. Karthikeya killed Tarakasur. At the time of his death, Takakasur requested for pardon from Lord Shiva. The God then attached his name to the temple where Tarakeshwar had done his meditation and hence the place is named as Tarkeshwar Mahadev.

The temple is adorned with beautiful sculptures and carvings, and the main deity is a Shivalinga, which is worshiped by devotees with great devotion and fervor. The temple complex also houses several smaller shrines dedicated to various Hindu deities. Earlier the temple had Shivling but now it has Lord Shiva performing Tandava.

Tarkeshwar Mahadev Temple is surrounded by dense forests, and visitors can take a trek through the forests to reach the temple. The trek is steep and requires a moderate level of fitness, but the scenic beauty of the surroundings makes it worth the effort.

Bhim Pakora: 

Bhim Pakora is a unique and fascinating tourist attraction located near Lansdowne. It is a natural rock formation that consists of two large boulders placed one on top of the other in a precarious balance.

According to local legend, the boulders were placed in this manner by Bhim himself during his exile period. It is said that Bhim used to cook his food on the top boulder, which would balance itself in the same manner, and he would also balance the smaller boulder on top of it.


The Bhim Pakora is located in a scenic location and surrounded by beautiful natural surroundings. Visitors can trek to the site through a picturesque forest, and the journey itself is a delightful experience.

Kaleshwar Mahadev temple

Kaleshwar Mahadev Temple:

Kaleshwar Mahadev temple is a very old Hindu temple believed to be 500 years old in Lansdowne. It is a revered shrine temple dedicated to Lord Shiva and is situated on the hilltop. It is believed to be the land for meditation of sages. The temple is open on all the days.

Visitors can take a trek through the forests to reach the temple, and the trek is steep and requires a moderate level of fitness. However, the scenic beauty of the surroundings makes it worth the effort. There are many steps to climb down to reach the temple.

Kaleshwar Mahadev temple is also known for its annual fair, which is held in the month of August or September and attracts a large number of devotees from across the region.


Kalagarh Wildlife Sanctuary:

Kalagarh Wildlife Sanctuary is located around 40 km from Lansdowne and is home to several species of wildlife including tigers, leopards and elephants. It is part of the Jim Corbett National Park. The sanctuary is spread over 300 sq kms and has a diverse range of flora and fauna.

The reserve has four gates namely- Vatanvasa, Kalingo, Durgadevi Gate, Maidavan. visitors can take a safari through the sanctuary to observe the wildlife and natural beauty of the region. The safari can be done by jeep and the experience is truly thrilling. The sanctuary also has a large number of bird species, including several migratory birds that visit the region during the winter months. Some of the commonly sighted bird species in the sanctuary include crested serpent eagle, peafowl, jungle fowl, kingfishers, and barbets.


The sanctuary is known for its rich biodiversity, including several rare and endangered species of animals and birds. The most commonly sighted animals in the sanctuary include tigers, leopards, elephants, spotted deer, sambar deer, barking deer, wild boars, and langurs.

Apart from the wildlife, the sanctuary is also known for its scenic beauty, with its rolling hills, meandering rivers, and dense forests providing a breathtaking view.

The tiger reserve remains open from 15th November to 15th June. It remains closed during the monsoon season.

Lansdowne is truly a wonderful place to visit and relax.


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