At the moment, Mussoorie is quiet but there is something significant that this silence is saying. There is an air of expectation and good cheer as it is waiting to come alive in two weeks time for the Christmas and New Year visitors. Some of the shops that had been closed till a week ago have now re-opened and are being decorated and spruced up for the “season”. The silence will soon be broken by the soulful sound of hymn singing by the choirs in many churches of Mussoorie.
Colourful streamers can be seen at many shops and an air of preparation can be felt despite the inactivity. Slowly, things will get back to business and the languor that had taken over since the “Pooja” season in October is being thrown away by traders and shopkeepers here.
Says Sunil Arora , the proprietor of Cambridge Book shop on the Mall Road, “Christmas time brings in many people and many of them are book lovers .They love to buy their books in Mussoorie and get them autographed by Ruskin Bond, Ganesh Saili and Bill Aitken. It becomes like a vibrant book festival here.” His shop is well-stocked with bestsellers and classics alike and attracts all passers- by with its beautiful display.
Baking activity for Christmas has begun and specially designed and flavoured chocolates at the Chick Chocolate are always a great attraction for locals and tourists at this festive time. The tradition of baking in Mussoorie goes back to the time when landour (old Mussoorie) became a summer retreat for the British soon after it shaped up as a convalescent depot for the British troops in the 1820s .The tradition was given new colour when the American missionaries had a strong presence in landour. landour’s bakers, specially the Muslim ones, have been well-known for fudge, stick jaw, marzipan and meringues. Maula Baksh was the most well-known of them all. These recipes have been passed on and can still be found at various shops in landour and Mussoorie. "Burnt Caramel Cake", "Walnut Cake", "Brown Sponge" and "Coffee Cake" are also among these.
At The Garhwal Terrace of Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam, some tourists are already staying and booking for Xmas are underway. The manager says that the season from December 20 to January 4 was a short one, but always a crowded and enjoyable time. “There is something special about it.” The countdown to Christmas and the new year has surely begun. It is quite palpable in Mussoorie. Churches are being cleaned and painted. lighting arrangements are also being made at the various churches. The air is full of excitement and joy.
The large number of hotels in the hill town are also making efforts to do themselves up for the “season” . Mussoorie has managed to retain its old face to a large extent and there are hundreds of visitors who come back here, every winter or summer just to get a feel of their favourite places and keep their long-standing relationship with the town alive. Though there are a large number of hotels, around 300, the hill town still breathes free, as the Supreme Court ban on new construction has proved a blessing for it .The vast open spaces one witnesses here make one’s visit in vacations worth the effort .
It has not yet turned too cold in Mussoorie. However, often,this hill station has sprung the surprise of a “white Christmas” on its visitors!