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Kasmanda Palace is one of Mussoorie’s oldest structures. It was originally part of the Christ Church complex, which was built in 1836 by Bengal Engineer Captain Rennie Tailour. Afterwards, it was converted into a sanatorium for British servicemen. Later, it became one of the first schools to be established in Mussoorie. In 1915, it became the Kasmanda royal family’s summer residence. Kasmanda’s Rajkumar Dinraj Pratap Singhji and Kunwarani Saheba Yadu Nandini Singh turned the main structure into a Heritage Boutique Hotel called the Kasmanda Palace Hotel in 1992.
Rajkumar Dinraj Pratap Singhji and his sons and grandkids continue visiting and staying on the site. The Kasmanda family has owned Kasmanda Palace, Mussoorie for six generations. Kasmanda was a prominent Taluqdar of Awadh, a state near Lucknow.
History of Kasmanda Palace
Captain Young, a British army commander, discovered this tiny settlement in the densely wooded highlands in 1827. This proved to be a successful Victorian resort, and little time was wasted in establishing the central Mall, a library, and an Anglican church. While significant remnants of the British presence remain, Mussoorie has developed well beyond the confines of a tranquil, protected hill resort. However, some of the old colonial air may still survive in the neighbourhood of Landour, 300 metres from the main town.
The nearest hill station to Delhi, Mussoorie, is crowded with visitors, tourists fleeing the heat of the plains, and eager trekkers beginning their adventure to the often tricky wooded slopes of Har-ki-Dun. It also is a thriving boarding school centre.
Kasmanda Palace Specifications
The WelcomHeritage Kasmanda Palace has a fairytale-like feel with its yellow walls, red sloping roofs and white corners. This vintage hotel has a story around every corner. And if you spend time with its present owners, Raja Dinraj Pratap Singh or his wife, you’ll learn about the legends and their ancestors. The owners are active in the day-to-day operations of the property. As a result, it appears less of a hotel but more like a well-kept house.
Kasmanda is a territory in Uttar Pradesh dominated by Singh’s forefathers. On a stone near the entryway, the genealogy may be traced back to the Mughals. Not just the family but the structure also has undergone numerous transformations, from being erected by a Britisher to being a hospital during the Crimean War, then to a school, and ultimately to a location where tourists may rest and relax. A stone at the entryway tells the narrative of Basset Hall Estate becoming Kasmanda Palace.
The old-world charm strikes a spell from the minute you walk in, with deep roots. The wooden stairway and reception area help you feel like you’re in a 1970s film.
Turn around, and you’ll find paintings of Kasmanda’s rulers. There are also prizes, such as stuffed tigers, deer, and bear skulls, yet humans progressed from a hunter-gatherer to a technology-driven culture. Explore the corridors, and find images of the Kasmanda fort and palace.
It’s a delight to roam about this home-turned-hotel, which has five different types of rooms. The cheerful and floral décor offers sunlight and brightness to your stay while transporting you to the Victorian period. This palace has four-poster beds and large windows and provides a breathtaking outlook.
Location
Mussoorie, the Empress of the Garhwal Mountains, is stretched all over hills at elevations above 2,000 metres, set on a ridge against the Himalayas. It offers spectacular views of peaks in the western Garhwal hills, including Bandarpunch Massif at 6,316 metres and Swargarohini at 6,252 metres, and the vast plains of North India spread out below.
Mussoorie is 34 km from Dehradun and offers a panoramic view of the Doon valley to the south and, on a clear day, the stunning snow-capped Himalayan mountains to the north.
As it is surrounded by pine trees, it provides nice summer days and colder evenings.
In the winter, snow and rain are common, while monsoon rains occur between June and September.
Conclusion
Kasmanda’s Rajkumar Dinraj Pratap Singhji and Kunwarani Saheba Yadu Nandini Singh turned the main structure into a Heritage Boutique Hotel called the Kasmanda Palace Hotel in 1992. Rajkumar Dinraj Pratap Singhji and his sons and grandkids continue visiting and staying on the site. The Kasmanda family has owned Kasmanda Palace, Mussoorie for six generations.
