Page 48 - ParentsWorld June 2020

repute located here are the Indian Military Academy,
Survey of India and several premier public schools in-
cluding the top-ranked The Doon School (estb. 1935).
Other sites of historical interest in the city are the Ram
Rai Darbar, the mausoleum of Ram Rai, errant
son of the seventh Sikh Guru Har Rai; Widia Institute
of Himalayan Geology with its vast museum and the
Tapkeshwar temple dedicated to Lord Shiva set in a
cave beside a stream that constantly drips water on the
idol.
Accommodation. Top-end: Four Points by Sheraton Haridwar
(Rs.6,600 per night); Hotel Madhuban (Rs.4,100-4,700);
President (Rs.3,100-3,900). Mid-range: Osho Resorts
(Rs.2,700). Budget: Motel Himshri (Rs.1,100); Hotel haridWar/hardWar
Nishima (Rs.1,400); Hotel Meedo (Rs.1,000). One of the most sacred cities for Hindus, Haridwar (pop.
Restaurants. There are several good eateries in the 230,000) is propitiously sited at the point where the river
city serving excellent vegetarian and non-vegetarian fare. Ganges emerges from the Himalayas. Pilgrims flock to
Favoured among them are Kumar and Orchard. the town throughout the year for a ceremonial dip in the
Excursions. Dehradun serves as a base for mountaineer- crystal clear waters of the upstream holy Ganges. One of
ing and trekking expeditions to the Garhwal Himalayas the most important sites in the temple town is Har-ki-
as also to the many pilgrim sites in the region. Backpack Pauri aka Footstep of God and believed to be the precise
excursions include Sahastradhara (14 km) aka Cold spot where the Ganges leaves the mountains and enters
Springs, the waters of which are believed to have medici- the plains. The footprint of Lord Vishnu carved on a stone
nal properties; Robbers Caves (8 km), a popular picnic here is a sacred point where devotees hold on to chains to
resort set amidst verdant forest, though a 1.5 km trek is prevent themselves from being swept away while entering
mandatory to reach the caves. the swirling waters of the river. Participating in the Ganga
Aarti or river worship performed every evening is an ethe-
MuSSoorie real experience. Thousands of earthen lamps are set afloat
Established by the British in 1823, this picturesque hill here to drift downstream. Har-ki-Pauri is also the venue of
station (pop. 35,000, alt. 6,500 ft) is just 34 km upslope the Kumbh Mela held every 12 years with the next slated
from Dehradun. Mussoorie is famous for its walks, splendid for 2022.
colonial hotels and summer palaces. Gun Hill — the Also worth a visit by cable car (Rs.100-263) is the
highest point in Mussoorie — is accessible by ropeway and Manasa Devi temple dedicated to Lord Shiva’s Consort
is a vantage point for unspoilt views of the snowy peaks of in her Shakti avatar, located on a hill above the city; the
the Himalayas. Also recommended is a stroll on Camel’s Pareshwar Mahadev temple consecrated by a mercury
Back Road, a lively promenade along a rock formation lingam; the Daksha Mahadev temple situated on a spot
reminiscent of a camel. Around Mussoorie one could visit believed to be the precise location where Lord Shiva’s first
the Kempty Falls (15 km); Dhanoltri (25 km), a scenic wife Sati immolated herself.
picnic spot amidst deodar forests and the Sukhanda Devi Accommodation. Options vary from ashram guest-
temple sited at a height of 3,030 m (9,847 ft) affording houses to international hotels, all of which are prohibi-
panoramic views of the Himalayas. tively priced during peak season (May to July) after which
the rates drop by nearly 30-50 percent. Top-end: Hotel
Haveli Hari Ganga (Rs.8,400 per night). Mid-range:
Ropeway cable car to Gun Hill, Mussoorie Hotel Mansarovar International (Rs.2,342); Hotel Theerth
(Rs.1,500); Sagar Ganga Resort (Rs.700-1,250); Hotel
Alpana (Rs.800-1,500). Budget: Hotel Ashok (Rs.491).
Restaurants. Alcohol and meat consumption are strictly
prohibited in the entire town. Several restaurants serve
palatable vegetarian fare. Hoshiyar Puri near Hari-ki-Pauri
is over 50 years old; Ahaar offers Punjabi food and Choti-
wala is famous for idlis and dosas prepared in typical South
Indian style.
Excursions. Haridwar offers several excursions to suit
differing tastes and temperaments. Rajaji National
Park, a wildlife reserve spanning 820 sq. km is best known

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