Dehradun

Nestled in between the Ganga River in the east, Yamuna in the West, the mighty Himalayas in the north and the Shivalik Hills in the south, the city of Dehradun in India is a picturesque one and embodies many fetching tourist destinations. Also often spelt as Dehra Doon, Dehradun is located in Uttaranchal / Uttarakhand state of India. Infact, the city happens to be the state capital. The climate of Dehra Dun is moderate and thus, perfect for traveling any time of the year. From Delhi, it’s about 230 km away.  The place houses some of the best academic and research institutes in the country.

 

 

Just a few kilometers from Dehradun city’s heart is located the 1767-built office of the Survey of India. The most notable distinction associated with this organization is that it was successful in determining the height of the Mount Everest in the Himalayan range under the guidance of Sir George Everest, it’s then Surveyor General. The peak was, as a consequence, named after the Surveyor General.

 

Sited around six km from the Dehra Dun city centre alongside a seasonal river is the famous cave temple, the Tapkeshwar Mahadev Temple dedicated to Indian god Shiva. Water drips from the rock above the Shivalinga in this temple and hence the name. A huge fair is held around here during Shivratri (festival) that attracts devotes from all over India.  

Tapovan is a holy place located on the banks of the holy river Ganga just on the outskirts of Dehradun in Uttaranchal. As per Indian mythology, the reverent teacher of the Kauravas and Pandavas, Guru Dronacharya went through penance here. The sacredness as well as the natural beauty of the place attracts tourists in hordes.

 

This institute is located in the northwest of the Dehra Dun city and was set up by the British in 1906. The main objective of the Forest Reserve Institute is preservation of the rich flora and fauna of India. Having the Mussorie ridge as backdrop, the FRI is spread over extensive grounds having six museums that are open for public viewing on weekends.

 

This is another famous temple of Dehra Dun located enroute to the neighboring Rishikesh. It’s among the few temples here that have access via a motorable road. As per Indian mythology, it is believed that the younger brother of Lord Rama in Ramayana underwent penance here for killing the demon Ravana.  

 

The Malsi Deer Park is at the foothills of the Shivalik range near Dehradoon in Uttaranchal. Being home to deer, neelgai and an impressive variety of birds, the beautiful Malsi Deer Park makes an enjoyable picnic spot for locals and tourists alike. The mini-zoo in tandem with the captivating natural set up proves to be a perfect unwinding place for one and all.

 

Being a popular tourist destination in the Uttaranchal / Uttarakhand state of India, Dehradun city offers a variety of accommodation options to the visitors. Hotels in Dehradun range from 4 Star to budget. For those who want cheap accommodation, there are numerous budget hotels in Dehradun. Best Western Hotel Madhuban and Viceroy Inn are some of the 4 star hotels in Dehradun whereas 3 Star Hotels in Dehradun include Hotel Ajanta Continental, Hotel Aketa and Hotel Classic International. One will find many mid-ranged / reasonably priced budget hotels and guest houses in Dehradun offering a fair food and lodging service.

 

How to Reach Dehradun 
Dehradun can be reached by air, rail or even by road. By air, one will disembark at the Jolly Grant Airport that’s located at a distance of 24 km from Dehradoon. The city has its own railway station with good connectivity to rest of India. Being the capital of the state, Dehradun is well connected by road too.