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Dehradun - Introduction

 

Welcome to the dream destination in the Doon Valley- Dehradun, the hill resort in Uttaranchal state of India. Set amidst the Himalayas, Shivaliks, Ganges and Yamuna Dehradun is indeed a picture perfect hill resort. Dehradun is the gateway to many other places of tourist interest like Haridwar, Rishikesh, Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri, Yamunotri et al

Dehradun - Location
The hill resort of Dehradun is the gateway of the Garhwal region in the north Indian state of Uttaranchal.

Dehradun - Past
The hill resort of Dehradun has been popular since ages. The British were captivated by the climate of Dehradun and turned it into their residential resort. They also set up several important institutions and schools here.

Dehradun - Tourist Places to Visit
The hill resort of Dehradun is dotted with places of tourist interest.

The office of Survey of India, founded in 1767 is an important landmark of Dehradun. The organization had determined the height of Mount Everest under the leadership of the then Surveyor General, Sir George Everest. You may check out the old maps of all kinds of maps here.

Then there is the Forest Research Institute on the Kaulagarh Road of Dehradun. The institute trains forest officers in India. It has six museums that display the best species of flora and fauna to be found in India. Wood samples, insects, furniture, wildlife, few stuffed animals, library and bookshop are the other places you may check out at the institute.

Dehradun also boasts of the Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology. It has a museum that displays the geological diversity of India. Rock samples, semi-precious stones and fossils are the various exhibits in the museum.

 While in Dehradun you must visit the Tapkeshwar Mahadev temple. The cave temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva, on the banks of a seasonal river.

Then there is Tapovan on the Dehradun-Rajpur Road. Situated in the Doon Valley Tapovan is believed to have been the spot where Guru Dronacharya, the teacher of warfare to the Kauravas and Pandavas, underwent his penance.

Then there is the temple of Lakshman Siddh. The younger brother of Lord ram is believed to have undergone penance here for killing the demon king Ravan. The Shakya Center, Robbers Cave, Sahastradhara, Malsi Deer Park and the Rajaji National Park are other places of tourist importance in Dehradun.

Dehradun is also renowned for its academic institutes. Dehradun is home to the institutes like the Anthropological Survey of India, Botanical Survey of India, Survey of India, Indian Institute of Petroleum, Rashtriya Indian Military College, Zoological Survey of India, Wildlife Institute of India, Indian Institute of Remote Sensing, and Indian Military Academy.

Dehradun -  Destinations Near By
There are several places around Dehradun too that are flocked by the tourists. The other hill resort close to Dehradun is Mussoorie. It has almost become a tradition for all those visiting Dehradun to also make a trip to Mussoorie.

Then there is Dakpathar 45 km away from Dehradun. The natural beauty of the place attracts several tourists. Further ahead is Kalsi, known for the Ashokan pillar of 450 B.C. The Archaeological Survey of India preserves it.

Then you may even visit Paonta Sahib in Himachal Pradesh. It lies 51 km from Dehradun. Sikh pilgrims throng Poanta Sahib. It is believed that at the site of the Gurdwara next to the Yamuna, the tenth Guru Govind Singh wrote a major portion of the sacred Dasam Granth.

Adventure seekers may check out Chakrata that lies close to Dehradun.

Dehradun - What to Buy
While on a shopping spree in Dehradun you just can't miss out on the woolens. Check out the Sahakari Bazaar, Rajpur Road, Astley Hall, Paltan Bazaar, and Connaught Place in Dehradun for the purchases. The carpets weaved by the carpets made by Tibetan refugees also make excellent option for gifts and souvenirs from Dehradun.

Dehradun - Adventure Sports
Dehradun is the place to be in for the nature lovers and the adventure seekers alike. The ski resort at Auli near Dehradun attracts enthusiasts from all over the country and abroad. The resort has skiing facilities like cable car, Ski lift, chair lift, snow-beaters et al. The valley of flowers, Har-ki-Doon, Dodital, and Pindari glacier etc. make excellent trekking routes from Dehradun.

Dehradun - How to Reach
For transportation within and around Dehradun you may take your pick from the private bus services, tempos, auto rickshaws, tongas, cycle rickshaws and taxi.

The Jolly Grant airport, nearest from Dehradun is 25 km away. It is linked with flights to Delhi, which is major international airport of India.

The excellent rail network links Dehradun with other important places of India. The Shatabdi Express, Mussorie Express and the Dehradun-Mumbai Express cater to the rail transport between Dehradun and Delhi, Mussorie, Mumbai, Varanasi, Calcutta and Lucknow.

Dehradun is well connected to other cities of Uttar Pradesh, Uttaranchal and Delhi by regular bus services like Agra, Calcutta, Chennai, Jaipur, Lucknow, Mumbai and Delhi. There are road routes that connect Dehradun with tourist places like Haridwar, Rishikesh, Shimla, Yamunotri, Kedarnath, Nainital, Badrinath, Gaurikund, Gangotri, Kalsi and the Rajaji National Park.

Dehradun - Best Time to Visit
The hill resort of Dehradun is ideally located amongst the hills and experiences moderately pleasant climate throughout the year. The temperature hovers between 44.5°C and 16.7°C in the summers. While in the Winters Dehradun grows colder with the temperature varying between 23.6°C and 5.4°C. Dehradun is flocked by tourists all through the year. In summers it is the retreat from the plains and in winters it is the snow-time! You can enjoy the snow in the Garhwal Himalayas during November/December. April to July is the ideal time for a trip to the Doon valley and skip the heat and the dust of the Indian summer in the hill resort of Dehradun.

Dehradun - Where to Stay
There is ample accommodation option available in Dehradun. There are several hotels, government guesthouses and dharmshalas that cater to the needs of the tourists to Dehradun. You may pick up your accommodation option are as per your budget. In case you are planning a trip to Dehradun in the summers, getting advance reservations made for the stay will be better. Since, Dehradun is one of the most popular hill resorts in India, among the locals as well as foreigners.

Like accommodation food is available in plenty at the many eateries and restaurants that dot Dehradun.

Dehradun - Fairs and Festivals
The hill resort of Dehradun hosts several fairs and festivals. Dehradun celebrates the Jhanda Fair on the fifth day after Holi every year in March/April. The fair honors Guru Ram Rai who arrived in dehradun in 1699 on the same day. He built a gurudwara called Guru Ram Rai Durbar and hoisted his flag on it. The followers come together and the flag is ceremoniously unfurled at the Jhanda Chowk of Dehradun.

The Tapkeshwar temple of Dehradun celebrates the Shivratri fair with much fervor. Devotees of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati throng the Tapkeshwar Temple during the annual Shivratri fair. Then there is the Lakhawar Fair that is celebrated in the Lakhawar village during the months of September-October every year. Dance, music, and sports competitions mark the celebrations of the fairs in Dehradun.