Altitude: 1,706 m
Distance: 259 kms from Delhi
Lansdowne is a small cantonment town spread over just 6 sq kms in Pauri-Garhwal district. It was named after Viceroy Lord Lansdowne in 1887. Perched at a height of 1,706 m, it was earlier known as Kalundanda — from 'Kalun' (Black) and 'Danda' (hills), because the mountainsides looked dark with rhododendron plantation.
The town is slowly becoming popular with the stressed out denizens of Delhi. Unlike Mussoorie and Nainital which get extremely crowded in the peak summers, Lansdowne has so far been able to keep its pristine beauty intact.
About 250 kms from Delhi, it is probably one of the easiest Himalayan hill stations to reach from the capital. From the NH 58, the Bijnor-Najibabad route winds about 40 kms to Kotdwar. The road up from Kotdwar is through forests of ancient oak and pine trees, interspersed with rhododendron trees that colour the mountainsides a fiery red in early summer.
This uncluttered town is maintained by Lansdowne Cantonment Board, which has not allowed private hotels to mushroom indiscriminately as has happened in almost all other hill stations in north India.
Lansdowne is the headquarters of the Garhwal Rifles, a combat arm of the Indian Army. On 5 May 1887, the first battalion was constituted under Lt Col EP Mainwaring at Almora. In November that year they moved to Lansdowne.
Lansdowne offers not only a landscape of unsurpassed beauty, but also treasures of British colonial architecture. The jewel in the crown is the Garhwali Mess built in January 1888. This heritage building is one of the oldest in Lansdowne and its impeccable upkeep makes it worth a visit.
Inside are priceless trophies and pieces of furniture that date back over 100 years. The Mess is now opened only for formal occasions and one needs to get permission from the Commanding Officer to enter the Mess, but it is certainly worth the effort to do so.
A large copper dial from 1920 in the perfectly manicured lawns outside the Mess points out the lofty Himalayan peaks, Nanda Devi, Chaukhamba and Kamet.
The War Memorial, located at the impressive Parade Ground, houses arms and ammunition and medals of the soldiers of the Garhwal Regiment. It's a must visit for people interested in the history of the Indian army.
The Regimental Museum was renamed Darban Singh Negi Sanghralaya after a former soldier of the Regiment who was one of the first Indians to receive the Victoria Cross, the most prestigious award for gallantry in the British Empire.
The museum, inaugurated in 1983, displays rare memorabilia captured by the Garhwal Regiment during the wars it has fought. The collection includes army uniforms and other items associated with the two World Wars.
Fifteen kilometers from Lansdowne, is Karnva Ashram, believed to be the birthplace of Bharat, son of Shankuntala and Dushyant. India gets its name Bharat from this great king.
Other places that one can visit are Kaleshwar temple, St Mary's Church and St John's Church.
Pauri, the district headquarters of Pauri-Garhwal, is a small idyllic town located 35 kms from Lansdowne and 30 kms from Srinagar, on NH 119. It faces the snow peaks of the Great Himalayas, Chaukhamba, Trisul and Neelkanth. The nearest railway station is at Kotdwar which is 107 kms away.
Around 20 kms east of Pauri lays the little known, dreamy village of Khirsu. It offers an overwhelming view of some of the majestic Himalayan peaks.
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