Located in the middle of the Dun Valley in the state of Uttarakhand, Dehradun is a very popular hill station that refers to lone travelers, families, and couples alike. The winter capital of Uttarakhand, it is proud of its scenic Himalayan scenery. Dehradun is the entrance to the famous hill station of Mussoorie and the pilgrimage sites of Haridwar and Rishikesh. The city is well-known for its weather, Dehradun climate prevails throughout the year. Dehradun was originated in the 18th century by a Sikh Guru called Guru Ram Rai. Ancient Hindu texts mention Dehradun as part of the Kedarkhand region. Dehradun is proud of its highly prestigious educational institution which has made it the ‘Educational Center of India’. There are so many tourist spots, sacred temples, rivers, canals, and waterways ornamented in the fringe of the city. Dehradun is the place where you can find people from different ethnic groups living together in coordination.
How to reach Dehradun –
By Air –Dehradun Airport is Jolly Grant Airport; located 20 km from the city center. Some flights like Air India, Jet Airways, Jet Connect, and Spice Jet regularly fly to Dehradun. You can hire a taxi from the airport to reach the city, depending on the traffic you need 40 to 45 minutes.
By Train –Dehradun is connected by regular train services to Delhi, Lucknow, Allahabad, Mumbai, Kolkata, Ujjain, Chennai, and Varanasi. Dehradun is connected to other parts of the country by trains like Shatabdi Express, Jan Shatabdi Express, Dehradun AC Express, Dun Express, Bandra Express, and Amritsar-Dehradun Express.
By Road/Self Drive –Dehradun is well connected by road to cities like Delhi by NH 58 and 72 about 4-hour drive. Chandigarh is located 167 km away and about 3-hour drive. Dehradun is well connected with cities like Haridwar and Rishikesh.
Tourist Places in Dehradun –
Dehradun city is a great place for tourists. It has some famous places to visit and taste the beauty of Dehradun. The best places are stated below.
Sahastradhara
The actual meaning of Sahastradhara is ‘The Thousand Fold Springs’, an admired visitors’ destination in Dehradun. It is made up of waterfalls, caves, and steppe lands and provides a completely great and rejuvenating experience for its visitors.
Tiger Falls
The reservoir is located in the foothills of the Himalayas, in a picturesque setting of dense forests. At 312 feet, it is considered to be the highest direct waterfall in India.
Robber’s Cave
The Long river cave (robber caves) is locally known as Gucchupani. The place is known for its unique natural phenomena known as the invisible stream.
Mindrolling Monastery
The Mindrolling Monastery houses Nagyur Nyingma College, one of the largest Buddhist learning centers in India which were established in 1965. There are a beautifully maintained garden and a 60-meter high mound and various rooms with various decorations including murals and houses and a 35-meter high statue of Lord Buddha in gold.
Tapkeshawar Temple
Tapkeshawar Temple is known to be the oldest Shiva temple in Uttarakhand and it is to be found on the banks of the river Nandi.
Forest Research Institute
The main forestry research institute of India is located in Dehradun. The site has a museum for afforestation with six main sections named Pathology Museum, Social Forestry Museum, Silviculture Museum, Timber Museum, Non-Wood Forest Products Museum, and Entomology Museum.
Malsi Deer Park
Malsi Deer Park as the name suggests is a suitable way to find deer in the deer’s natural habitat, which is now known as Dehradun Zoo. There are many birds and other animals around but they are kept in a cage.
Besides, there are also some places tourists might like to visit.
The ideal time to visit –
Summer – From March to June is the time when most people come to Dehradun as the weather is pleasant and clear and it is good to enjoy the sights and engage in adventure activities. The maximum temperature at this time is 35 degrees Celsius and the minimum 17 degrees Celsius.
Monsoon – From July to September is when the rains begin and Dehradun looks rain-washed, beautiful, and lush green. Dehradun is very inviting at this time of the year and uses this opportunity to relax and enjoy Dehradun at your own pace.
Winter – From October to February when it’s winter. October marks the beginning of autumn in Dehradun and it is only when the weather starts getting a little cooler. Winter in Dehradun comes in December and the temperature drops to three degrees Celsius due to snowfall in nearby hilly areas like Mussoorie. This is a great time to explore Dehradun as you can soak up the winter sun and explore the sights.
