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Contents

 

  1. History
  2. Getting Around
  3. Tourist Traps
  4. Local Customs
  5. Shopping
  6. Communications

Nestled at the foothills of the Himalayas, Mussoorie derives its name from the Mansur shrub commonly found here. An erstwhile summer refuge of the British, Mussoorie offers wondrous views of the surrounding hills and the verdant Doon Valley beneath. The Mall, undoubtedly, remains the lifeline of this hill station, especially after sundown. Packed with impressive souvenir shops and eateries, a walk down the Mall opens up a vista of twinkling lights in the valley. For a panoramic view of the snowy Himalayan peaks and a bird’s eye view of hill station, head to Gun Hill.

History

Mussoorie is also known as the Queen of Hills and draws its name from Mansoor, an indigenous shrub found in the area. A lot of the elderly population of Mussoorie and surrounding areas call it Mansoori, even today. The hill-station was founded by General Frederick Young during the English rule in the early part of the 19th century. General Young was then a lieutenant and discovered Mussoorie as an ideal hunting spot for the game that abounded here.

With the arrival of the British, Mussoorie gradually witnessed the construction of residences, which were constricted to the Landour area mostly. With the residences came roads, sanitariums, churches, schools and hospitals. The railways reached Dehradun in the year 1900 and greatly reduced the time in travelling to Mussoorie from other parts of the country. When the Chinese forces occupied Tibet in mid 1900s, the Dalai Lama fled his homeland and it was in Mussoorie where His Holiness took sanctuary. The Tibetan government-in-exile was also formed here originally, although it was later moved to Dharamshala in Himachal Pradesh. There continues to be a strong population of Tibetans living in Mussoorie. While the Mall is Mussoorie’s beating heart, complete with souvenir shops, video-game parlors, and eating joints, greater Mussoorie, known as Landour, is still quaint and relatively untouched by urbanization. Landour has holiday-residences of a bevy of celebrities including NDTV director Prannoy Roy and eminent author, Ruskin Bond. With deodar and pine trees lining its isolated, curving streets, at Landour one can find solace in the rustle of leaves in the wind, and the busy chatter of birds.

Mussoorie is also home to several prestigious educational institutions and training facilities. St. George’s College, Woodstock School and the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration, are the ones worth a note.

Getting Around

Vehicles are not allowed inside the main town area between April and June, and for the rest of the year, a fee is charged. However, the hill station is best explored on foot; this way you can get to the remoter reaches that lay unspoilt. For larger distances, cycle-rickshaws can be hired for something around INR 25, depending on the distance. You can even enjoy a cable car ride from the Picture Palace to Gunhill, a flat hill from where you can view the peaks of Badrinath and Kedarnath among others. The ropeway runs between 0830 and 2000 hours, and up to 2200 hours between 15 May and 15 July, the peak tourist season. Deluxe and luxury hotels in the town provide vehicles and also arrange for excursions and sightseeing tours, but these must be confirmed in advance.

Tourist Traps in the City

Fortunately there are not many tourist traps in this hill-town; people of Mussoorie are very simple and genuine. If you bargain, the shopkeepers usually give in. Only be wary of the street hawkers selling musk and saffron, they are rarely genuine. Besides, such things can be bought from a proper government showroom. During New Years and Christmas, Mussoorie is thronged with visitors, and to get the best of the situation shopkeepers do a lot of promotions. So, be a bit carefully if you are on a shopping frenzy, use your better judgment to tell an original product from counterfeit. While touring around Mussoorie, almost always bargain the taxi or rickshaw fare, because the prices quoted are on the higher side. Take care of your belongings especially while strolling the main Mall road, for there could be a few pickpockets around. Lastly, it is advisable to not move around with too much cash, just keep as much is necessary.

Local Custom

Mussoorie is a melting pot of customs, people and cultures. There are no restrictions or pointers to adhere to when you visit Mussoorie. However, owing to the altitude of the place, it is advisable to carry something warm with yourself always.

Shopping

There are numerous shops along the Library and Mall Road in main Mussoorie, from where you can pick up colorful woolens, souvenirs, antiques, books and fresh fruits. While souvenir shopping, do strike a bargain with the shopkeepers as they tend to quote a higher price. Though bargaining works to a certain extent, be prepared to shell out a little extra while shopping here. Sisters’ bazaar and Library bazaar are other popular market places. At the Tibetan market you can find electronics goods, clothes, broaches, and bags among others. There are a large number of shops selling handicrafts and cottage-industry products. Mussoorie is also known for its locally produced peanut butter and jams sold by most bakers in the town. There are several book stores too, the most popular of the lot is Cambridge bookstore which Ruskin Bond visits on Saturdays and meets with people between 1600 and 1800 hours.

Communications

Mobile network in Mussoorie is decent, but can be erratic at higher altitudes. Cell One and Airtel work best here.

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