Offbeat destinations (Part 7)-Landour
Updated: May 23, 2020
The world keeps on changing, but there is always something, somewhere, that remains the same. - Ruskin Bond.
Mussorie - a place that most of us know and have already visited, probably more than once. But, do you know, just 9 km away from the hustle and bustle of the tourists in Mussorie, there is a small and otherworldly beautiful town.
Landour, a small cantonment town in British India was named after a village in South-West Wales named Llanddowror.
Lost in the mist with a forest of deodar and rhododendron, this town feels as it is still the 1800s. Everything from the house to the streets and the shops will make you feel that you have stepped into a different world of peace and lush views.
To reach Landour, you can take a walk from Mussorie Bazar to the Char Dukan area in Landour and if you are fond of walking, it will be the most beautiful and clam walk through the narrow hilly roads covered with forest on both sides. It will take about 40-50 minutes, but trust me, the walk will be worth it. If you aren't into walking, you can also hire a cab from Mussorie bazar which will cost you around.
When is the best time to visit Landour?
Well, It's all year round. At any time you can pack your bag and leave for Landour. The weather is pleasant at all times of the year. But Terrestrial Astronaut suggests you visit in the monsoons. Sure, there is a danger of landslides when you are on the hill slopes during monsoons, but the beauty of the forest after the rains will be worth it.
As a tourist, there is very little to do here, but if you are someone who is looking for a bit of peace away from the hectic city life, well, it will be the best place.
Here, I will walk you through a few of the places you can visit in Landour.
As its name suggests, Char Dukan is a row of four shops in Landour and is said to have been for a really long time. They are located away from the hubbub of busy roads and noisy tourists. If you are here, don't forget to try the Banana-Nutella pancakes, cinnamon waffles, and delicious pan pizzas.
This colonial-era church is right next to the Char Dukan. It was built-in 1839 and was consecrated ( declared sacred ) by Bishop Daniel Wilson in 1840.
A lovely couple, Christopher and Mary Corbett, who were the parents of Jim Corbett got married in this same church in 1859.
If you visit this church and look around, you'll find round holes along the outer side of the benches. Although normal as it may look, you won't find this anywhere around the world. This was because, during the Mutiny of 1857, when the British soldiers left their rifles outside the church when praying, they were mostly stolen. So they decided to take them inside and the holes were made in the benches which perfectly accommodated both the Baker Rifle and the new Enfield 1853 rifled musket that was introduced then.
3. Ivy Cottage:
If you are lucky when visiting Landour, you may have a chance to meet Ruskin Bond - a popular author and one of the oldest residents here. Ivy cottage is the place where Ruskin wrote the stories and books we all read. If you want to meet him, you can visit the Cambridge Book depot where he comes most Saturdays and you can meet him and get an autographed book.
This is the most spectacular and iconic building in Landour. Built around 1903, Kellog's church exhibits marvelous gothic architecture with stained glass windows. The church is named after Dr. Samuel H Kellog who started the Landour Language School where the Britishers were taught Hindi. The school is operational still now
This little store has been here since 1928 and is well known for Jam and Marmalade which is produced from the locally grown fruits. If you are here, make sure to also try their peanut butter, apple-mint chutney, and gouda cheese which are equally tasty.
As the name suggests, this is a Cafe near the Lal Tibba that offers views of the nearby areas with the binoculars mounted at the rooftop.
What sets it apart is the geographic location of the Cafe. It is situated at the highest point in Mussorie and offers magnificent views of the snow-clad Himalayan peaks if you happen to visit on a clear day.
There are two snack bars that offer a variety of foods. If you are here, Terrestrial Astronaut recommends trying the masala tea with bun-omlette. It will surely make your day.
Nest time you're visiting Dehradun or Mussorie, make sure to visit Landour as you won't regret it.
Disclaimer: The pictures on this page are not taken by me and I don't claim any rights on the pictures. The credits go to the respective owners of the pictures.
