Page 48 - ParentsWorld June 2020
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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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