History of Lansdowne----
Originally known as Kaludanda (Hindi: कालूडाण्डा) after Kalu (Black) and Danda (Hill) in Garhwali, Lansdowne was founded and named after then Viceroy of India (1888-1894), Lord Lansdowne in 1887, and by 1901 it had a population of 3943.[1] Lansdowne was developed by the British for catering for the Recruits Training center of the Garhwal Rifles. Lansdowne was a major place of the activities of freedom fighters from British Garhwal during British period. Nowadays, the famous Garhwal Rifles of the Indian Army has its command office here.[2] Lansdowne is one of the quietest hill stations of India and is popular since Britishers came to India. Lansdowne is unlike other hill stations as it is well connected with motorable roads but remote in its own way. It is situated at an altitude of 1,706 mts above sea level surrounded with thick oak and blue pine forests in the Pauri Garhwal district of Uttarakhand state.
How to reach Lansdowne:-
By Train: Two trains run from Delhi to Kotdwar (Mussorie Express and Garhwal Express). By Road: From Kotdwar it's about 40 km away. From Haridwar, a bus to Kotdwara. This will take approximately an hour.
It is the nearest hill station from Delhi and can be reached from Delhi by either road or train. The nearest railway station is Kotdwar at a distance of 44 km situated an elevation of only 370 m. Since Lansdowne is more than 1,300 m higher than Kotdwara, the drive from Kotdwara to Lansdowne is quite steep and scenic. The nearest airport is Jolly Grant Airport, near Dehradun at a distance of 152 km viaKotdwar-Haridwar road. The other and better route to reach Lansdowne is from Delhi via Meerut, Bijnore, Najibabad, Kotdwar and on to Lansdowne. It saves about 50 km and the road quality is also good all the way to Kotdwar. One has to take a right turn from NH-119 at a place where The Garhwal Rifles has put a huge signboard by painting the directions on rocks. Lansdowne is 81 km from Pauri and about 250 km from Delhi. The drive through Blue Pine trees on hills near Lansdowne is a wonderful experience.
Places to see at Lansdowne::-
The War Memorial, at the Parade Ground of the Garhwal Rifles Center is an attraction for the visitors.
Tip n Top View Point offers excellent views of surrounding Shivalik Hills.Kaleshwar Mahadev Temple Santoshi Mata Temple, Regimental Museum, Bhullatal Lake(a must visit for boating enthusiasts) St. Mary's Church, Lover's lane etc. Lansdowne is also famous for standard education.
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