Situated between the Himalayas and the Shivalik hills, Dehradun needs no introduction. Being one of the oldest cities in India, Dehradun is the winter capital of Uttarakhand. It is surrounded by Song and Asan river, a tributaries of Ganges and Yamuna respectively, offering a picturesque landscape view. Dehradun is renowned for its pleasant weather, nature, lush green surroundings and tranquility, making it a preferred choice among retired individuals looking to settle down.
Located 248 km away from the national capital, Delhi, Dehradun City is connected very well through all networks (Air, Rail, and Road) with all major cities of the country. Beyond its natural beauty and tourist spots, Dehradun is also renowned for its education and security. Its education level can be understood through its notable alumni which are Rajiv Gandhi, Naveen Patnaik, Jyotiraditya Scindia, Rahul Gandhi, Abhinav Bindra and many others.
There are a number of institutions; such as Doon School, Forest Research of India (FRI), Rashtriya Indian Military College (RIMC), and Wildlife Institute of India (WII) that attract students across the country. Dehradun also hosts some premier training centres including the prestigious Indian Military Academy, Civil Servant Academy (LBSNAA), Rashtriya Indian Military College, and Indira Gandhi National Forest Academy.
Religious Places to Visit in Dehradun
The City is home to many religious places that are frequented by many devotees round the year : -
- Tapkeshwar Mahadev Temple : - Believed to be established around 6000 years ago during the Mahabharata period, this temple is approximately 8 km away from Dehradun City. Its name "Tapkeshwar" arises from the constant water dripping from the cave ceiling. The history of Tapkeshwar Mahadev Temple is associated with an interesting folklore of Guru Dronacharya, who resided here with his wife.
- Prakasheshwar Mahadev Temple : - Commonly known as Shiv Mandir, it is one of the most popular Shiva temple in Dehradun. It is believed that the Shivling inside the shrine is millions of years old, which is formed from ice Crystals. This Shiva Mandir is one of its kind in India, where offering money or secret donation is strictly prohibited.
- Santala Devi Temple : - Surrounded by lush green forest, the Santala Devi temple is situated atop a hill in Santaur Garh. It is one of the highly revered temples in the city which is visited by many devotees. Santala Devi worshipped along with his brother.
- Chaar Sidh Peeths : - Laxman Sidh, Manak Sidh, Mandu Sidh and Kalu Sidh are the four Siddh Peeths of Dehradun, which are located in the four corners of the city. These Four Seedh Peeth of Dehradun are dedicated to 4 of the 84 disciples of Sage Dattatreya. Each Sidh peeths has its own significance which is believed to fulfil everyone's wish.
- Sai Baba Temple : - This temple is quite renowned among the devotees, who often visited here to seek the blessings of Sai Baba. Apart from the Sai baba, the temple also houses idols of other deities.
Apart from its sacredness, Dehradun is also renowned for its tourist spots where one can enjoy a day with their friends and family. If you want to explore the real beauty and charm of Dehradun, you can explore its popular tourist destination that gives you an exquisite experience during the journey.
Top Tourists Spots In Dehradun
- Mussoorie : - Often referred as 'Queen of Hills', Mussoorie is one of the most popular tourist destinations in India. Situated on the foothills of Garhwal Himalayan range, this place attracts lakhs of tourists from far and wide. Its enthralling beauty and scenic vista offers mesmerizing views of the surroundings. Due to its splendid scenic views and weather, Mussoorie is so popular among the tourists. The town is surrounded by other popular tourist spots such as Kempty Falls, Company Garden, Mall Road which added charm to its beauty.
- Sahastradhara : - After Mussoorie, Sahastradhara is the most visited tourist spot in Dehradun. Situated on the banks of the small Baldi river, the water here is known for its medicinal properties that cure skin related diseases. Visitors can enjoy various activities and spend leisurely time with friends and families.
- Lachhiwala : - Located on the outskirts of Dehradun, Lachhiwala is a perfect picnic spot that can be enjoyed with family and friends. Its pristine cold water pools offer a relief from the summer scorching heat.
- Dehradun Zoo : - Erstwhile known as Malsi Deer Park, Dehradun Zoo lies at the foothills of Shivalik Range. It is the home to a variety of fauna, including Bengal Tiger, Leopard, Two Horned Rhino, Snakes, and others. The glimpse of Malsi Deer Park Dehradun can be viewed through our camera lens.
- Buddha Temple : - Established in the year 1965, this Buddhist Monastery is known for its exquisite design and architecture. Its staggering 220 feet stupa is among the largest in the world. The Buddha Temple is also referred as Mindrolling Monastery offers a 360 degree panoramic view of Dehradun, attracting many tourist from afar.
- Robbers Cave : - Popularly known as ' Gucchu Paani', Robbers Cave is a natural cave which was once used by the Robbers in the 1800s, stash the stolen goods. Now the spot is popular among the tourists, where river water continuously flows through a narrow gorge, offering a fascinating experience.
- Maldevta : - Surrounded by mountains with a river flowing through it, Maldevta is one of the popular tourist attractions in Dehradun City. Its majestic beauty with a lush green surrounding is hard to find. This place is mostly famous among the adventure enthusiasts, where they can experience paragliding, zip line, and others activities.
- Forest Research Institute (FRI) : - One of the oldest institutions, The FRI was founded in 1878 as a Forest School of Dehradun. Built in the Greco Roman and Colonial architecture Styles, Forest Research Institute is Spreaded over 450 hectares. Its sprawling grass meadows with a serene ambience attracts a huge number of visitors.
- Lambi Dehar Mines: - It is a place which is known for its spooky activities. It is said, in the early 1990s thousands of workers died here while working. People often experienced paranormal activities in Lambi Dehar Mines, particularly at night.
- Rishikesh : - Known as the Yoga Capital of the World, Rishikesh northern part falls under Dehradun District and southern part in Pauri Garhwal District. Nestled on the banks of sacred Ganga river with the Himalayas on the backdrop, Rishikesh is one of the major tourist attraction.
- Chakrata : - A divine beauty offers a picturesque view of the snowy mountains. A number of tourists often visited Chakrata to enjoy the summer retreat. This place is also surrounded by other tourist spots like Tiger Fall.
Dehradun is not only known for its renowned tourist places but also for its offbeat places. The Khalanga War Memorial/ and Shaurya Sthal War Memorial are some of them. These sites commemorate the bravery of the soldiers who sacrificed their lives on the front lines.
Dehradun history is thousands of years old, it is believed that after vanquishing Ravana, Lord Rama with his younger brother Lakshman, graced this land. Not only this, it is also renowned as the abode of Guru Dron, the revered guru of Kauravas and Pandavas, hence earning the moniker "Drone Nagri". There are some temples like Lakhamandal and Tapkeshwar which are linked with Mahabharata. For years, the area was commonly known as Doon Valley, but in the 7th Century, it was known as Sudhanagara, stated by the Chinese traveller, Hiuen Tsang. It is believed that in the 17th century, the son of Sikh 7th Guru, Ram Rai Ji, established a camp here, due to which the city came to be known as 'Dehradun'.
Dehradun has always captivated tourists with its beauty, peace, ancient temples and historical places. Bollywood industry is also fond of Dehradun, which is why many renowned films have been shot at various locations. The glimpse of Dehradun and its scenic beauty can be watched in many movies like Krishna Cottage, Pan Singh Tomar, Student of the Year, Batti Gul Metre Chalu and more.
Doon is also mentioned in the Skanda Purana as it was shown as a part of Kedarkhand. Dehradun Economy is primarily depends on its tourist places and the most common profession among its citizens is agriculture. Dehradun is also known for its Lychees, Basmati and Tea. Dehradun is also considered as the gateway for other tourist destinations in the state usually visited by the tourist during their journey such as Mussoorie, Chakrata, Uttarkashi, Nainital, Haridwar, Rishikesh, and Tehri Garhwal.
