PULSE MAGAZINE LONDON Issue 3 Spring 2014 | Page 22

OUR PLANET ~ INDIA~ TRAVEL

NATURE

MUSSOORIE

Mussoorie, known as the Queen of the Hills,
famous for its scenic beauty, is a fascinating
hill resort. It commands a wonderful view of
the extensive Himalayan snow ranges in the
north-west and glittering views of the Doon
Valley, Roorkee, Saharanpur and Haridwar in
the South. Mussoorie was discovered by
Captain Young, an adventurous military
officer in 1827, who was lured by the extraordinarily beautiful ridge and laid its foundation.
The town retains much of its colonial charm
and is well worth a visit for its beautiful
scenery and lovely walks.

HERITAGE ROYAL SITE
ORCHHA

Orchha’s grandeur has been captured in stone, frozen in time;
a rich legacy to the ages. For, on the medieval city, the hand
of time has rested lightly and the p alaces and temples built by its
Bundela rulers in the 16th and 17th centuries retain much of their pristine perfection.
Orchha was founded in the 16th century by the Bundela Rajput chieftain, Rudra Pratap,
who chose this stretch of land along the Betwa river as an ideal site for his capital. Of the
succeeding rulers, the most notable was Raja Bir Singh Ju Deo who built the exquisite
Jehangir Mahal, a tiered palace crowned by graceful chhatris. From here the view of
soaring temple spires and cenotaphs is spectacular.
Complementing the noble proportions of their exteriors are interiors which represent the
finest flowering of the Bundela school of painting. In the Laxminarayan Temple and Raj
Mahal, vibrant murals encompassing a variety of religious and secular themes, bring the
walls and ceilings to rich life. Strewn around the area are the little shrines and memorials,
each with its own