Lansdowne is a cantonment town in Pauri Garhwal district in the Indian state of Uttarakhand. Lansdowne was a popular hill resort for the British and they built a cantonment here. Lansdowne is named after its founder Lord Lansdowne, the Viceroy of India between 1888 and 1894. Currently, the command office of the legendary Garhwal Rifles of the Indian Army is situated in Lansdowne. It is one of the top Tourist places in Uttarakhand.
Lansdowne is known for its natural beauty and its tranquil environment. The Garhwal Rifles Regimental War Memorial, Regimental Museum, St. Mary's Church, St. John's Church, Durga Devi Temple, Kaleshwar Mahadev Temple, Bhim Pakora, Bhulla Tal, Tip-in-Top or Hawagarh, Tarkeshwar Mahadev Temple and Bhairav Garhi Temple are the important tourist places in Lansdowne. It is famous for its eco-friendly tourism involving mountaineering, trekking, and jungle safaris.
The best time to visit Lansdowne is from March to October when the weather is cool and pleasant for visitors to trek around and explore the place. Snowfall is common during the winter season and the quaint town is covered with a blanket of white snow. Here are some top places to visit in Lansdowne.
Garhwal Regimental Museum / Darwan Singh Museum
Darwan Singh Regimental Museum is one of the top Lansdowne tourist places. The Museum houses numerous antique artifacts belonging to the Garhwal Rifles. Regimental Museum is a historical defense museum named after the famous Victoria Cross holder Darwan Singh Negi. This museum was inaugurated in the year 1983 to preserve the elements used by the Garhwal Regiment.
Bhulla Tal / Bulla Lake
Bhulla Tal is a small artificial lake situated in the town of Lansdowne. Created and maintained by Indian Army, Bhulla Lake, also known as Bhulla Tal, is one of the top places to visit in Lansdowne. Bhulla Tal is dedicated to the young Garhwali youth of Garhwal Rifles, who helped in the construction of this lake.
Tip-in-Top / Tiffin Top
Tip-In-Top also known as Tiffin Top is situated in the ridge near St. Mary's Church in Lansdowne. This is a popular spot among tourists visiting Lansdowne. Snow View or Sunset View Point lies on the way to Tiffin Top. The point provides an awesome view of sunset and also the snow covered peaks of the surrounding Garhwal mountain peaks.
Tarkeshwar Mahadev Temple
Tarkeshwar Mahadev Temple is an ancient temple situated in the Pauri Garhwal district of Uttarakhand. Located atop a hill at an elevation of 2092 m, Tarkeshwar Mahadev Temple is believed to be one of the ancient holy sites known as Siddha Piths dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is one of the famous temples of Uttarakhand state.
Kaleshwar Mahaadev Temple / Regimental Temple
Kaleshwar Mahadev Temple is an ancient temple situated in Lansdowne. This temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is maintained by the army. Kaleshwar Mahadev Temple is a major place of worship for the people of Lansdowne. Most of the people from the brave Garhwal regiment visit here to offer their prayers.
Garhwali Mess
Garhwali Mess is one of the oldest and well maintained heritage buildings of Lansdowne. This Garhwali Mess building was constructed by the British in January 1888. The mess kept alive the rich heritage of the hilly town. The mess is considered as a museum combining of wild animal skins, furnishings and trophies.
St. John's Catholic Church
St. John's Church is a Roman Catholic Church located at the Mall Road near St. Mary's Church in Lansdowne. St. John's Church is the only running Church in Lansdowne and was established in 1936 under the supervision of Agra Diocese. The beautiful interiors and beautiful surroundings of the church attract pilgrims and tourists.
Durga Devi Temple / Durga Mandir
Durga Devi Temple is an ancient temple situated on the bank of River Khoh at Dugadda in Pauri Garhwal district of Himachal Pradesh. This temple is located inside a cave and is dedicated to Goddesses Durga and is considered to be one of the oldest Siddh Piths. The temple is situated on the slope of a hill near the road to Pauri. Visitors from far away come here to this small temple to take blessings of Goddess Durga.
St Mary's Church
St. Mary's Church is an Anglican church situated near the Tip-In-Top hill point of Lansdowne. St. Mary's Church is a popular tourist attraction of Lansdowne and was built by Col. A.H.B Hume of the Royal Engineers. Construction of this Church began in 1895 and was completed in 1896. This church was closed after 1947 and was later converted into a museum by the Garhwal Rifles Regimental Centre.
Martin Wynn
