Dehradun Tourism

"Home of the Valley - Dehradun" Dehradun Tourism Nestled amidst the Doon Valley in the state of Uttarakhand, Dehradun is a very popular hill station that beckons solo travellers, families and couples alike. Proudly boasting of a scenic backdrop of the Garhwal Himalayas, Dehradun is located at an altitude of 1400 feet above sea level and has a pleasant climate all year round. Regardless of whether you want to explore family-friendly tourist spots, try thrilling adventure activities with your friends, or watch a mesmerizing sunset with your partner amidst the mountains, Dehradun is the answer. As you would expect from a city located in the foothills of the Himalayas, Dehradun abounds in caves, waterfalls and natural springs. One such extremely popular spot is Robber's Cave, which is a natural cave surrounded by hills. Dip your feet in the ice-cold water or walk through it - travellers are free to take their pick, making Robber's Cave one of the most popular picnic and excursion spots in the city. Another popular spot for nature lovers is Lacchiwala, where you can sit and enjoy a relaxing sunset around the man-made lake and the lush greenery around it. Lacchiwala also has arrangements for trekking and birdwatching, if you're up for it. Download Dehradun PDF Guide > What's Great? Well connected by rail, road, and air. Acts as a connecting hub for a lot of places in Uttarakhand.  What's not so Great? Congested in peak seasons. Expensive for budget travelers. Not much to do within the city. For Whom People who want a break from the humdrum of the mundane routines. People visiting farther places in Uttarakhand can make a night stop here or take rentals from Dehradun.

History of Dehradun The name ?Dehradun? has been derived from two distinct words- ?Dehra?(from ?dera?) meaning home and ?Doon? meaning a valley between Himalayas and Shivaliks (Dehradun lies in the Doon valley). When Guru Ram Rai visited this place with his followers, he set up a camp here. Around this time, the modern city of Dehradun began developing. Many historians have opined that ?Dehra? can be used to refer to camping, thus the name ?Dehradun?. The city also finds a mention in ancient Legends of Ramayana and Mahabharata. Though today Dehradun?s significance as an educational hub is indispensable, till the early 90s there were only 4 colleges for Graduation and Post graduation courses- DAVP PG college, DBS college, SGRR PG college and KP PG Girls? college. Several parts of the Garhwal and Kumaon region, including Dehradun, were a part of the United Provinces- later named as the state of Uttar Pradesh. In the year 2000 under Uttar Pradesh Reorganisation Act, the state of Uttarakhand (formerly known as Uttaranchal) was carved out of the northwestern districts of Uttar Pradesh and Dehradun was made the interim capital. Mythology Evidence such as temples and idols found in and around Dehradun suggest that the history of Dehradun can be linked to the times of Ramayana and Mahabharata. It is said that Lord Ram and his brother Lakshman visited this place to perform an atonement after the battle with Ravana in Lanka. The royal guru of Kauravas and Pandavas in Mahabharata, Dronacharya, is also believed to be born in Dehradun. Hence, the city of Dehradun is also known as ?Dronagiri?. As per legends, the Pandavas took rest here on their way to the top of the mountains. A soothing retreat The capital of Uttarakhand, Dehradun, is a serene hill station situated in the Garhwal region of Uttarakhand. This is an ideal retreat for those, who want some peace and beauty by their side, much away from the mundane routine of the city life, especially in the blazing summers of the northern India. This hill station is also the gateway to some of the famous tourist hotspots like Mussoorie, Nainital, Haridwar, Rishikesh etc. Dehradun is also the home to the ever famous Indian Military Academy, which gives out some of the best officers of the Indian Army. Dehradun is also extremely famous for the Doon Valley, which houses the famous Doon School, thus making the city an educational hotspot as well. So next time, if you're looking for a soothing retreat, without the hustle and bustle of the adventurous hilltops, Dehradun is the right choice for you. What Makes Dehradun An Amazing Tourist Destination Uttarakhand is a state steeped in culture and mythology, so there are scores of temples dotting Dehradun, among which the main tourist attractions are Tapkeshwar Mahadev Temple and the Tapovan Temple. The Malsi Deer Park is another renowned tourist attraction in Dehradun, as you get to see a vast variety of rare species here, such as the two-horned deer and the nilgai. Spread over an area of 25 hectares, Malsi Deer Park is a picnic spot that draws hundreds of visitors daily and provides for an enthralling getaway for wildlife and nature lovers. Dehradun has a reputation for being a shopaholic?s paradise, with Paltan Bazaar and Indira Market being two of the primary shopping destinations that tourist flock to. You can buy traditional handicrafts and artefacts as well as jewellery, shoes, bags and clothing, all of it at a relatively inexpensive price. Dehradun has food stalls, and eateries lined up at the corners of every street so that you can have your fill of chaat, momos, chowmein and other local dishes. Festivals are a big part of the Dehradun culture, and the city celebrates many festivals all the year round with great pomp and enthusiasm. A visit to Dehradun will take you back to the simple, peaceful life, without the hustle and bustle of the modern rat race. The hilly city with its lush green scenery offers a quiet yet enjoyable break away from the city life.

Itinerary Day 1 -Once in Dehradun, take some rest and begin your trip with a stroll through the local market, especially the Paltan Bazaar, a fascinating market, with its share of amazing streets and alleys, just near to another famous site in Dehradun city, The Clock Tower on the Rajpur Road. You can buy curios, handicrafts, souvenirs among many other things here.   Day 2 -The next day, you should set off officially for the trip, starting with blessings from Lord Shiva at the holy Tapkeshwar Mahadev Mandir. Not very far from here, at a distance of approximately 6.9 km. is the Robbers' Cave, a popular picnic cum adventure sports hotspot for the bold travelers. By evening, you can hop back to your hotel for some rest, for the journey might be quite tiring.Day 3 -The final day should be reserved for a trek to the Malsi Deer Park, a wildlife reserve, where you can witness some rare breeds of deer prancing about. For the historical enthusiasts, and the qualified applicants of the CDS exams, the Indian Military Academy is always open for you.  

Throughout the yearis the best time to visit Dehradun Dehradun is a soothing retreat, which can be visited almost throughout the year. An ideal season for a trip to Dehradun is the summer season when the climate is pleasant. Monsoon and autumn season are also worth visiting, but winters are not exactly the season advisable for a visit unless you love the snow.     Weather in Dehradun Loading... Dehradun in Winter (November - March) This is the least advisable time for a visit, owing to the frigid temperatures. However, if you're a snow enthusiast, and are raring to go, then it is advisable that you set off with proper precautions, especially in the case of clothes. You should be packed with woolens for the same.  Dehradun in Summer (April - June) This is the peak season for tourism in Dehradun and also an ideal season for a visit for the same. The climate is pleasant, the ambiance is lovely, and the calmness is just right for the peace seekers. The temperature lowers during the night, which is a big relief from the blazing summers, especially in the northern region of India.       Dehradun in Monsoon & Autumn (July - October) The monsoon season is lovely, especially when it drizzles, making Dehradun a beautiful place to visit. However, being a hilly region, this is not exactly the ideal season for a visit, owing to the risk of landslides and possible floods. The season turns ideal once again from late September, when the clouds subside and the nights turn pleasant, with a certain chill in the air.  Monthly Weather in Dehradun Month Avg. Minimum (°C) Avg. Maximum (°C) January 6 20 February 9 25 March 11 28 April 17 36 May 17 37 June 21 37 July 24 32 August 23 32 September 21 32 October 12 31 November 7 27 December 4 24

Events in Dehradun Jhanda Fair at Ram Rai Gurudwara 5th - 8th March The origin of the name 'Dehradun' can be traced to Sri Guru Ram Rai Ji, the eldest son of the 7th Sikh Guru, Sri Har Rai Ji, as he set up his 'Dera'(camp) in 'Dun'(Valley) in 1676. In memory of Guru Ram Rai, on the Fifth Day of Holi, the Jhanda Fair or flag hoisting ceremony is celebrated every year, attracting a large number of visitors. Shivaratri, Tapkeshwar Temple 4th March In the forest, this Shiva temple is situated inside a cave. Water droplets trickle down from the ceiling over the Shivalinga creating an interesting spectacle. On Shivratri, a large festival is held here, and people from all over the country can be seen relaxing on the hills around. Rajaji National Park 15th November-15th June Having more than 400 species of birds, the beautiful locale and rich bio diversity serve as major attractions for Rajaji National Park. This park is home to the Asiatic Elephant as well as predators like Tigers and Leopards. The park is closed during monsoon, so you can only visit it between 15th November and 15th June.