Lansdowne Tourism

Lansdowne is in Pauri Garhwal at 5,597 ft, 40 km from Kotdwar and 233 km northeast of delhi. Tiny Lansdowne is one of the quietest hill stations in India. So quiet and so hidden that you know you’ve reached only when you actually turn past the gates of the elegant garhwal Rifles Cantonment. And the town is as picturesque as you were led to hope for by the drive up the road from kotdwar past a mountain stream the lost river khoh so clear you can see the pebbles on its bed from your bus window far up the mountainside.

Back in the Raj, Lansdowne was one of the popular hill stations where the sahibs, mosly from the Army, galloped across the ridge that overlooked a sprawing valley and the greater himalaya or drove to the church on the hill the popular tiffin top every Sunday in their horse-drawn carriages.

Savour the untrammeled pleasure of a walking tour in and around the stimulateing environs of these genle slopes. In the not-so-distant past it was no surprise for a late night traveler to chance upon a solitary leopard who would walk past, to busy with his own agenda to bother about human beings. Silver fir, spruce and the elephant’s favourite bamboo forests cover the hills in and around Lansdowne. Carry some water and a few assorted munichies on your walk into the forests, and if you happen to be in Lansdowne some time around mid-june, carry a raincoat or an umbralla.

Hike up to tiffin top for a glimpse of St Mary’s church, which despite losing most of its glory over the years boasts beautiful stained glass windows.

Durga Devi Temple

This locally important temple lies on the right bank of the Khoh River 27 km from Lansdowne. The temple itself is really 13 ft inside a cave. Deep within is a shivling and locals shisper that wishes made here are bound to be granted. Shivratri witnesses a throng of devotees at the temple.

Tarkeshwar Mahadev

Tarkeshwar Temple is dedicated to Shiva, the god of kedar khand, which is the original name of the area that now comprises kumaon and garhwal. There is a mention of kedar khand in skanda purana, one of the ancient Hindu texts. Tarkeshwar is considered to be one of the ancient Siddhpeethas and is nestled in a thick for est of deodar, blue pine and oak. Water pools around the temple lend an aura of mystery to the place. Tarkeshwar is on the road to kotdwar, 39 km from Lansdowne.

Jwalpadevi temple

This famous temple is a 10-minute trek down to the banks of the Nawalika River, off the Lansdowne-Pauri road 42 km from Lansdowne. This temple is most interesting for its legends. In ancient Garhwal, the demon king’s daughter sachi wanted to mayy Indra the king of heaven who was not inclined to tie the nuptial knot with the besotted firl. Sachiprayed to her favourite deity, Jwalpadeve. Moved by the girl’s heartfelt prayers, the goddess granted her wish. Since then, garhwalis say a wish made here is often granted. Boon-seekers crowd the shrine during Ashtami in April and October.