Padmini Nivas prides itself on maintaining the
environment and ecology of the area. One of the few eco- friendly hotels in
Mussoorie, we harvest rainwater, use solar energy, recycle our waste and plant
new trees each year. Help us in our endeavours by being conscious of how you use
water and other resources.
The beautiful gardens at Padmini Nivas set it apart from any other hotel in
Mussoorie. Designed with attention and knowledge, the gardens have something to
offer in every season, even in the harshest of winters. A combination of formal
and natural landscaping encourages guests to make their own discoveries. The
variety of trees, shrubs and bushes also provides a perfect habitat for birds
and Padmini Nivas is an armchair birdwatcher’s delight with over 60 species of
birds recorded on the property.
Spring: After
a long winter, the primulas, tulips, daffodils and ranunculi bring back a riot
of colour to the garden. The apricot tress drop delicate blossoms on the grass
and the air is fragrant with the scent of the pendulous purple inflorescence of
the climbing wisteria. This is one of the best seasons to visit Mussoorie before
the summer crowds begin. While the plains start to heat up, the weather in the
mountains is still cool and the views remain clear. The flowering rhododendrons
amidst the oak forests are a special feature of Mussoorie at this time.
Summer: While Mussoorie is crowded and
bustling with tourists escaping the heat of the plains, the gardens at Padmini
Nivas in summer offer a tranquil escape. This is when the flowers are at their
peak and cascades of climbing roses in pink, yellow and white greet visitors.
The formal rose garden is also in its full glory bordered by banks of iris,
poppy and larkspur. The magnificent and fragrant blooms of the 200 year old
magnolia tree are matched by the flowering horse chestnut trees at this time of
the year.
Monsoon: One of the most romantic seasons in
Mussoorie, as the clouds and mist envelop the mountains and valleys, providing
an ever changing vista. The rains bring with them a blanket of greenery with
ferns, mosses and other monsoon flora covering walls, tress and pathways. This
is the season of begonias and colourful hanging baskets of these flowers add to
the ambience. Hot pakodas and chai while sitting on the front porch with the
rain beating down on the roof, is not to be missed experience.
Autumn: As the monsoon clouds clear and the
sun comes out again, the trees start shedding their leaves and fruits such as
apples and pears appear. Roasted chestnuts are a specialty at this time of the
year. The garden is a blaze of orange, yellow and crimson with marigolds and
salvia beds in full bloom. This is a good time for long walks and drives through
the hills as the views are clear after the rains and the weather is just right
for outdoor activities.
Winter: To the surprise of many visitors,
winter days in Mussoorie are often warmer and more pleasant than the damp, foggy
plains below. The skies are a deep shade of blue and the snow views are at their
best. The most outstanding feature of winters at Padmini Nivas is the
spectacular view of the winter line, a phenomenon seen in very few parts of the
world. Despite the cold, and even under a blanket of snow, the garden still
remains alive with arum lilies, winter jasmine and snowdrops.
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