This “Queen of Hills” needs to stretch her arms at times and take it easy after the crowds leave and the revelry is over and done with. This is exactly what it has begun doing these days, as is evident to the chance visitor who becomes a part of this lazy picture .
The New Year merrymakers are all gone back to their jobs and studies, the residential schools here are yet to open, the days and nights are too cold to do any work and the “tourist season” is over for now. So what else is there to be done except bask in the lovely and bright sun, play a game of carom, bring out that forgotten pack of playing cards and settle down to cups of steaming elaichi tea, munching peanuts and discussing the weather. In Mussoorie, it is time for the locals to relax and pamper themselves.
At the “Jhoolaghar” which is one of the busiest and noisiest points on the Mall Road during the “season”, all seems to be quiet. There are no queues for the deliciously creamy coffee served by the corner shop.
“Most people left by January 4,” says the coffee shop owner.” Once the schools open here in February, there would be a bit of activity again,” he added.
The rickshaw walas look forlorn as they have not been able to get any passenger to go to the Company Gardens or even upto the library Chowk since the morning. They will wait for a few days and perhaps go on for some other work till April when tourists begin arriving again. The expression on their faces is one of near-despair and can make an onlooker experience their woe.
The old style photo shops at the “Jhoolaghar” are somewhat better off as the few honeymooning couples are still interested in getting themselves photographed in the traditional Garhwali dresses provided by these shops. The digital revolution has surely not affected the business of these old-fashioned shops that have been flourishing since the 1950s.
At many shops, stylish woollens are up for sale. Some are offering the buy one get one free scheme, but there are few takers.
At the churches, the X’mas decorations have been brought down and they wear a solemn look. At the Union Church at the beginning of the landour Bazaar, some women from nearby homes are enjoying the sun in its vast compound while children play on the see-saw.
Candy Floss, bhuttas, imli and chooran stalls line the deserted mall at several places. Makes one wonder whether these people are selling their stuff to each other!
So it is time for the locals and traders to be laid back and take stock. Time perhaps for a quick visit to friends and relatives in Dehradun or somewhere in the plains.
Time to rejuvenate themselves before another spate of visitors to the hill station puts them in the mid of a flurry of activity
This is Mussoorie’s time to breathe free and naturally.