The winding roads from Dehradun take you all the way up, amidst the tall deodars, and the pines. The wayside flowers nod their heads as the cool breeze pass through them. And just as you thought the road winds all the way up, you reach the top. Beyond, you see the snowcapped Himalayas, and down in the valley you see the holy rivers of Ganges and Yamuna gushing happily down through the foothills. Welcome to Mussoorie. Despite being a sea of humanity, she still retains a mystic charm. And it just lingers in our mind forever.

History
Way back in 1814, a war broke out between the Gurkhas and the British. The gurkhas were thrown out of Dehradun within a year and by 1819, it was annexed to the district of Saharanpur. And then an adventure loving Irishman, Captain Young, discovered Mussoorie. It was a place where shepherds came by dozen to graze animals on the Mansur shrub. The name of this town, some say come from this shrub.

Captain Young fell for her charms and built 'Mullingar' - his residence as the Commandant of Landour. The lovely climate and the good sport gradually attracted other Europeans. The Doon and the hills to the north became better known in 1827, and then on, it has been a favourite destination. The last decade has seen Mussoorie emerge as a major tourist centre, but commercialization has eaten into her mystic charm.

How to Reach
Air
Dehradun?s Jollygrant airport about 60km away is the nearest airport, with regular flights to Delhi. From here, one has to hit the road. Luxury buses as well as cabs are easily available.

Rail
Mussoorie does not have a direct rail link. Dehradun railway station (34 km away) is where you have to get down to head to Mussoorie. Express and superfast trains to Delhi, Mumbai, Allahabad and Amritsar link Dehradun.

RoadMussoorie is motorable from Delhi (270 km), Chandigarh (215 km), and of course Dehradun. There are regular buses, both state transport as well private luxury coaches that will ferry you to Mussoorie from these cities.

Religious Places
There are several shrines surrounding Mussoorie. The Nag Devta Temple and the Jwalaji Temple, atop Benog Hill, in addition to being places of worship, offer excellent views of the Himalayas. Bhadraj Temple is about 15 km from Mussoorie. The principal deity here is the brother of Lord Krishna, Balram. Every year, on Shravan Sankranti day, in the third week of August, a festival is celebrated here.

Sarkunda Devi is 35 km from Mussoorie. To reach here, one has to drive till Khaddu Khal and then cover the last 2 km on foot or on ponies. This spot is also considered as a trekker?s dream.