Abbott Mount Cottage

Abbott Mount Cottage Lohaghat, Uttaranchal.

Abbott Mount Cottage is located 165 km away from Kathgodam railway station & 9 km from Lohaghat, this colonial style lodge offers four rooms. The lodge is well furnished with independent (not attached) toilets, a kitchen where one can avail the services of our cook. The place is excellent for birding, Himalayan views and nature treks. This also serves as a base for anglers who wish to fish Mahseer at Pancheshwar, a confluence of Saryu and Mahakali rivers.

This historic hamlet of Abbott Mount is situated at an altitude of about 6500 ft above sea level in the eastern part of the Kumaon Hills near the small town of Lohaghat in Champavat District. Abbott Mount was founded by and named after Mr. John Harold Abbott. An English businessman who wanted to start a hill station for the European community at the turn of the 20th century. Unlike many Indian hill stations Abbott Mount has changed little since its inception. There are only thirteen secluded cottages spread over this private hill. There is a picturesque church set amidst the forest and an old cricket pitch with an unsurpassed view of the mountains. Places to visit from Abbott Mount: Pancheshwar, Patal Bhubaneshwar, Mayawati Ashram.

How to reach Abbott Mount Cottage

Drive from Nainital via Dhanachuli & Devidhura: 6 hours. Drive from Ranikhet via Almora & Jageshwar: 6 hours Overnight air-conditioned trains: A. from Mathura to Lal Kuan and the drive via Bhimtal, Dhanachuli & Devidhura: 7 hours; B. from Delhi to Kathgodam and the drive via Bhimtal, Dhanachuli & Devidhura: 6 hours; C. from Delhi to Ramnagar and the drive via Nainital, Dhanachuli & Devidhura: 8 hours. Drive from Delhi via Moradabad , Rampur , Rudrapur, Khatima, Tanakpur and Lohaghat; Tanakpur to Lohaghat is a 90-km hill drive. Upon reaching Lohaghat drive towards Pithoragarh for 6 km & arrive at Marorakhan. Turn towards Abbott Mount, drive 1½ km and take a sharp ‘U' turn and drive another ½ km to the lodge. This is the first lodge where the road ends.

Pithoragarh

Pithoragarh, located at an elevation of 1, 635 m above the sea level (5, 396 feet), is a district in Uttarakhand with its headquarters in the town of the same name. It is positioned in the centre of the western half of Soar Valley which bears a resemblance to the Kashmir valley on a small scale. Pithoragarh is known as the gateway to the Himalaya's from the north, as pilgrims trek through this town to the Kailas Lake in Mansarovar and Om Parvat. Pithoragarh has been expansively explained in a novel by American author Bradley Swift titled ‘From Pithoragarh to Pittsburgh’.

Pithoragarh is a lovely place to begin your tour of the Himalayas. The valley of Pithoragarh has all that you would like to see snowcaps and glaciers, lakes, bubly rivers, dense conifer forests, and grassy alpine meadows. About one-third of Pithoragarh is perpetually covered by snow. It is comfortable to visit all round the year. One can enjoy a slew of adventure sports in Pithoragarh like hang gliding, paragliding, trekking, skiing, canoeing, river rafting and fishing.

History
The lineage of Pithoragarh can be traced to the age of Puranas when it flourished under different names, though no documents from that era has been recovered. What is known though, that Pithoragarh used to be an important stopover en route Kailasa Parbat. Ancient religious texts such as Rig Veda and Skanda Purana mention about the various tribes that inhabited the area.

How to Reach
Pithoragarh is one of the most beautiful, unpolluted and non-commercialized tourist places in the state of Uttarakhand. It is simply striking valley with a charming combination of rural and urban elements all in one place. There are many ways to reach Pithoragarh and though one might say the journey being strenuous, the natural beauty does inspire a visitor to come back repeatedly.

Temples
Temples are important structures in Pithoragarh for not only are they a place of worship but also a meeting point for people. Let's explore some of the most famous and ancient temples in Pithoragarh.

Pithoragarh Weather
The town of Pithoragarh is established in a valley surrounded by giant ice laden peaks which affect the weather of the Pithoragarh valley. Located at an altitude of 1,514 m (4,967 ft), Pithoragarh has a classic ‘mountainous’ temperature, i.e. tremendous disparity in temperature owing to great deal of elevation gradient.

Munsiyari
The name 'Munsiyari' means a 'place with snow'. Munsiyari is a tehsil and a town located in Kumaon Himalayas in Pithoragarh district within the hill state of Uttarakhand in India.

Places To See
Pithoragarh is quiet little hill station located in Uttarakhand state. Endowed with natural beauty in abundance, Pithoragarh is a destination that offers a retreat from the usual urban surrounds and maddening crowds of big cities.

Shopping
Pithoragarh is a beautiful hill station that has its share of traditional handicrafts and other local products you can shop for. Here you can look for traditional woven woolen shawls and blankets, apart from other woolen products. The designs and colors of apparels you find here are strikingly different and unique in themselves. Also, you can shop around for traditional gems and jewels found here.

Dehradun

Dehradun

 

Dehradun is the capital city of the state of Uttarakhand. It is a well known tourist destination for a long time. Besides being a travel destination, the city is also known for public schools, IMA and other national institutes. The entire district is surrounded by the mighty Himalayas in the North, aging Shivalik Hills in the South, the River Ganga in the East and River Yamuna in the West.

The soil of the region is very fertile and most plants and trees grow quickly and bear bountiful fruits. Dehradun has a Sub-Tropical type of weather with chilly winters, humid and crisp springs, scorching summers and a strong monsoon. Dehradun has premium educational and research institutes such as Indian Military Academy (IMA), Indira Gandhi National Forest Academy, Indian Institute of Remote Sensing and Indian Institute of Petroleum. Excellent schools like the Doon School, Welham School for Girls & Boys, Army School and Rashtriya Indian Military College are also present there.

Attractions
Dehradun is one of the most visited tourist attractions in Uttarakhand, mostly as a brief stopover en route Mussoorie. Located on the foothills of the Himalayan mountain range, Dehradun is a striking yet serene place. It is thought to be one of the oldest (read as ancient) cities in India.

Chakrata
Chakrata is a small town near Dehradun which served as an infantry base during the British rule. It is especially known for tranquil, beautiful and pollution free surroundings. The hill station is positioned between the Rivers Tons and Yamuna at an altitude of 5,500-6,500 ft.

Dakpathar
Strategically positioned near the banks of mighty River Yamuna, Dakpathar in Dehradun has recently been developed into a leisure spot. The brainchild of the GMVN (Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam), Dakpathar is naturally exotic surrounded with forests and bejeweled with lush green lawns and gardens.

Places to See Near Dehradun
The capital city of Uttarakhand, Dehradun is famous for its scenic grandeur and beautiful surroundings. Dehradun and its surrounding places are adorned with the beauty of the Himalayas. There are several historical places, temples, natural springs, parks, picnic spots in the city's vicinity, which are surely worth a visit.

Sahastradhara
Its name deciphered as the ‘Thousand Fold Spring’ in English, Sahastradhara is one of the most beautiful and serene picnic spots in Dehradun . It is very popular amongst both the locals as well as the tourists coming to the city. Its name emerges from the fact that the water literally drips down from limestone stalactites numbering thousands.

Guchhupani & Lachhiwala
Dehradun is a beautiful place with lots of picnic spots. Two of these are quite famous, namely Robber’s Cave (also known as Guchhupani) and Lachhiwala. Though they have different attractions to entice people, both these places are ideal examples of the treasures of nature in Uttarakhand.

How to Reach
Dehradun is a captivating place situated amidst the foothills of Himalayas in the state of Uttarakhand. This article will guide you on the various ways of reaching this beautiful city which is linking point for Haridwar and Rishikesh. Dehradun is well connected with direct trains to important towns.

Things to Do in Dehradun
Dehradun, the capital city of Uttarakhand, is nestled amidst the thickly forested valley of the Shivalik ranges. Known for its salubrious climate, natural beauty and proximity to Mussoorie, the city was once a major base of the Garhwal kings. Today, it counts amongst the major cities of India, from tourism point of view as well as otherwise.

Malsi Deer Park
Malsi Deer Park, located in the outskirts of Dehradun, equally enthralls both the adults and children. It is one of the major tourist attractions in the city and also acts as a savior of natural environment from unnecessary business propositions. It falls on the way to Mussoorie (with a little diversion of course), another highly rated tourist spot.

Mindroling Monastery
The Mindroling Monastery has a long history. Mindroling (pronounced as Minh-dro-lyng) literally means a ‘Place of Perfect Emancipation’ in Tibet and is a place of worship for the Nyingma sect of Buddhism. This sect has a total of six monasteries in Tibet, including the one in the Lhasa region of Tibet, on the south side of the Tsangpo River.

Tapkeshwar Temple
Dehradun is full of legends but so is the state of Uttarakhand it is situated in. The entire region was once supposed to be submerged under a lake but environmental changes made it a terrestrial heaven. There is a lot to see in the Doon Valley (as it is locally called), especially temples and the rivulet forests.

Weather
The geographical location of Dehradun is mainly responsible for the ever-changing but pleasant weather of Dehradun. Dehradun has a sub-tropical climate with cold winters, warm and colorful springs, humid and hot summers and an elongated monsoon.

Indian Military Academy
Located in Dehradun, the Indian Military Academy is an institution that trains men who officer the Indian Army. The Indian Military Academy became functional from 1st October 1932 with batch of 40 Gentlemen Cadets. Brigadier L.P. Collins was its first commandant.

Shopping
Shopping in Dehradun, Uttarakhand's capital city, with well stocked markets and shopping complexes, is an absolute delight. When you happen to visit Dehradun, don't forget to look for traditional Dehradun basmati rice which is world famous for both, its aroma and taste. Also the delicious Chakarata Rajma is available in the markets here that you can take home.

Haridwar

Haridwar

Legend holds that one can attain moksha (nirvana) just by the touch of Ganges from Haridwar or the Gateway to God. The village has got such an esteemed place in Indian way of thought. Haridwar is considered to be blessed by the trio of lords Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh (Shiva). Har ki Pauri is one of the holiest ghats in India and it is believed that a drop of the immortal exilier fell here, testimonied by the footprint of Lord Vishnu.

Haridwar became an integral part of Uttarakhand on 9th November 2000 when the state was carved out of Uttar Pradesh. Today it houses many symbols of modern growth like Industrial Estate of State Infrastructure & Industrial Development Corporation (SIDCUL) and BHEL (Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited) and the ancillaries of these businesses. Many professional builders have constructed housing societies for vacationers and retired people. Get to know more about Haridwar through this section.

Attractions
People visit Haridwar to forget all their worldly desires, anxieties and ‘unholy’ things connected with their lives. Haridwar has the ‘Panch Teerth’ mentioned in the Puranas located within the district mainly known as Gangadwara (Har-ki-Pauri), Kushwart Ghat, Kankhal, Bilwa Teerth (Mansa Devi) and Neel Parvat (Chandi Devi).

Chandi Devi Temple
Situated on the top of Neel Parvat, in Haridwar, Chandi Devi Temple is one of the most famous temples of India. Considered to be one of the Shaktipeeths of North India, this place is of great religious significance. It is said to have the power to fulfill the wishes of devotees and this is why it is also known as Siddhpeetha.

Daksha Mahadev Temple
Daksha Mahadev temple is one of the most ancient temples of Lord Shiva, situated in Kankhal. The temple is approximately 4 km away from the main township of Haridwar. Mythologies relate this temple to Daksha Yagya. According to the legends, Goddess Sati's father Daksha Prajapati performed a yagna, a holy ritual, at this place, but did not invite Lord Shiva, his son-in-law.

Places to See Near Haridwar
Considered as one of the most sacred pilgrims in Hindu Religion, Haridwar according to some mythological text is one of those four sacred places in India where the elixir of immorality accidentally spilled from heaven. It is also famous for the Kumb Mela celebrated here once in every three years.

Har Ki Pauri Haridwar
One of the most famous and most visited sites of Haridwar, Har ki Pauri is considered as one of its five main holy sites. It is believed to be the sacred place where Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu, two great Hindu Gods, appeared in the Vedic era. This place is considered equivalent to the Dashashwamedh Ghat in Banaras, in religious terms.

History
The city of Haridwar is an ancient city of India, mentioned in several Upanishads and Puranas with different names such as Gangadwara, Mayapuri and Kapilasthana. The city’s name literally meaning the ‘Doorway of / to Gods’, is equally important to both Shaivites (Shiva followers) and Vaishnavites (Vishnu followers).

How to Reach
Haridwar is a sacrosanct place in Uttarakhand well-connected to the rest of India by various means of transport. Delhi, the capital of India, is just at 214km from Haridwar. Hardwar’s existence is supposed to be from the days of Pandavas of Mahabharata, so one can safely assume that the place is really ancient.

Things to Do in Haridwar
Haridwar, considered to be blessed by the Hindi Trinity of Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu and Lord Mahesh (Shiva), is one of the most sacred cities in India. It is home to Har ki Pauri, the bathing ghat where river Ganga is said to rid people of all their sins, just by taking a dip in its waters.

Mansa Devi Temple
Situated atop the Bilwa Parvat, on Shivalik Hills, Mansa Devi is approximately 2.5 km from the main township of Haridwar. One of the most visited temples in North India, the temple is known for being the holy abode of Goddess Mansa, the wife of Nag Vasuki and the brainchild of Saint Kashyap.

Weather
Haridwar is located in the state of Uttarakhand in northern India. However, since it is not cradled by the mountains, its weather is also affected by the conditions in other parts of Northern India. Maximum temperature in summers reaches up to 42^o C. In winters, the temperature falls to 18^o C in winters.

Shopping
Haridwar, being primarily a pilgrimage destination, has numerous shops along its streets selling all essentials that a pilgrim would need. The streets between the railway station and famous Har Ki Pauri are filled with such shops.

Mussoorie Hill Town

 

Mussoorie Hill Town

 

Established in the Himalaya foothills by a British Army officer in 1820, the "Queen of the Hills" stands above the rest with its deep woods, favorable climate and Doon Valley views. Its name is derived from the berry-covered Mansur shrub found in abundance around this trekker-friendly area. Vestiges of its colonial past are still reflected in the cuisine and architecture. For stunning natural sights, head to Gun Hill or Childer's Lodge, the two highest peaks, or the famous Kempty waterfall.

 

 

Mussoorie (prashant007lko, Nov 2008)

Mussoorie is known for its healthy and pleasant weather. This attractive hill station has always been tourists most favored destination away from the heat of the plains. Situated at an altitude of approximately 7,000 feet above the sea level, it abounds in natural beauty and scenic splendor. The ideal period for visiting Mussoorie is either between April and May or between September and November, when the temperature is extremely pleasant and the lush green flora has covered the hill top completely. Let us get some information on the weather and climate of Mussoorie.

Summer
The summer season in Mussoorie lasts from April to June, during which period the hill resort experiences pleasant climatic conditions. Around this time, the maximum temperature is somewhere around 30^o C, while at night, it might dip to as low as 10^o C.

Winter
In Mussoorie, winter starts in late October and stretches on till mid-February. In the day, the temperature hovers around 10^o C, while the nights usually see it plummeting to 0^o C. The hill resort might also experience snowfall in the winter season.

Monsoon
The monsoon in Mussoorie falls between the months of June/July and September, usually followed by spring time. In this season, the hill resort abounds in natural beauty, with lush green vegetation all around. Mussoorie experiences heavy drizzling around December also.

Mussoorie (a Facebook Member, Mar 2010)

Mussoorie (a Facebook Member, Mar 2010)

Mussoorie (a Facebook Member, Mar 2010)

Mussoorie (a Facebook Member, Mar 2010)

 

The Queen of Hills : Shimla

Shimla,

was the Summer capital of India under British rule . Presently, it is the state capital of Himachal Pradesh, with its population around 1.6 lacs (Shimla town only). Shimla has seen many important historical events such as the famous Shimla Pact between India & Pakistan which was signed here. The place is also famous for its natural beauty, architectural buildings, wooden crafts and apples. 

Height: Most of the town lies between 2,100 m and 2,300 m

Languages spoken: Hindi. Also English, Punjabi and Pahari.

Religion: Mostly Hindu. Also Sikh, Muslim and Christian
Medical Facilities: Good

Telecommunications: Worldwide links by the net, telephone and fax, code: 0177

With all its intricacies, history seems to have been the mortar for every brick and stone that has built Shimla. As the summer capital of British India for well over a century it was the seat of one of the most powerful governments in the world. From its cedar-shaded heights, one fifth of the human race was ruled and the decisions made those decades ago affect our lives to the present day.

The town of Shimla rose in the nineteenth century when the Gurkha Wars came to an end in 1815-16 and the victorious British decided to retain certain pockets as military outposts and sanitaria. In 1822 the most rigorous of dandies and the greatest of sticklers for form Captain Charles Pratt Kennedy, Political Agent to the Hill States directed that a house be built for him at the village whose name is variously reported as Sheyamalaya Shumlah, Shimlu and Shemlah. Kennedy House led the vanguard of the hundred-odd houses that were to scatter themselves by 1841 over every level or gently inclining space. Lured by the climate and terrain scores of European invalids began moving to the station and the only stipulation of the local chief who owned the land was that no tree be cut or cattle slaughtered.

In 1864 the Viceroy, John Lawrence anointed Shimla – then spelt Simla, as the summer capital of British India. With Lawrence came the Viceroy Council, the Imperial Secretariat, representatives of the Indian princes and foreign envoys. As the town grew to become the workshop of the Empire, an awed visitor observed, every pigeonhole cradled an embryo of a war or death. Despite the fact that up to the time of Indian independence in 1947, Shimla officially remained only the summer capital, yet the Government spent more time in these hills than at the actual capital Calcutta and later New Delhi. As the bearer of the Viceregal sceptre this tiny pocket became the cynosure of British Empire. Imperial grandeur, and all the panoply and trappings of power came along for the ride. And there was a popular local saying that went, “You cannot sleep the nights in Simla for the sound of grinding axes”. A social whirl of parties, gymkhanas, balls, fancy fairs and affaires du Coeur ensured that a heady mixture of scandal and intrigue constantly wafted through the town.

Quite inevitably the freedom movement had a close connection with Shimla. Ornithologist and former Civil Servant, Allan Octavian Hume created the Indian National Congress which spearheaded the struggle while living in the town. Stalwarts like Mahatma Gandhi, Pandit Nehru, C. Rajagopalachari, Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya and Maulana Azad regularly visited Shimla. Major events that took place in the town were the Simla Conference in 1942, the deliberations of the Cabinet on and finally the decision to partition India.

And while the British Empire may have ceased to exist, its echoes linger on in the architecture and ambience of this hill resort. The elements of nostalgia may be strong but Shimla also has a youthful vigour in its pace. Its easy accessibility and several other attractions have made it one of India’s most popular hill resorts. There are many unforgettable walks, day-excursions by the dozen, a variety of convenient shopping and entertainment museums, and ice-skating in winter. Shimla is the base or the unwinding point for numerous exhilarating routes to the state interior.

Today the town is distinctive for its variety of architecture. It has one of the rare surviving urban forests, made all the more unique, for its species are temperate to alpine ones in what is otherwise a tropical zone. And then Shimla’s famous Mall offers one of the longest stretches of pedestrian shopping in the world.

View of Shimla from Jakhoo hill

Within and around Shimla, the public and private sector offer an enormous range of accommodation that range from modern to heritage hotels. Like satellites placed around the centre, there are many resorts in Shimla’s periphery that are full-fledged destinations in their own right. These are located at Mashobra, Naldehra, Kufri, Shilon Bagh and Chail. En route by road from Kalka there are Parwanoo, Dharampur and Kasauli.