Rankings

About Dehradun, Uttarakhand

  • Nestled in the mountain ranges of the Himalaya, Dehradun is one of the oldest cities of India and is the Provisional Capital of Uttaranchal (Now Uttarakhand) State.
  • Also known as the ‘Adobe of Drona’, Dehradun has always been an important center for Garhwal rulers which was captured by the British.
  • The headquarters of many National Institutes and Organizations like ONGC, Survey Of India, Forest Research Institute, Indian Institute of Petroleum etc are located in the city.
  • Some of the premier educational and Training Institutes like Indian Miltary Academy, RIMC (Rashtriya Indian Military College), Indira Gandhi National Forest Academy (IGNFA), Lal Bahadur Shahstri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA)etc are also there in Dehradun.
  • It is a favoured tourist destination as it attracts tourists, pilgrims and enthusiasts from various walks of life to its serene environs.
  • Add to this the abundance of special Basmati rice, tea and leechi gardens which contribute in turning the city into a paradise.
  • The district is named after its chief city Dehra Dun. Dehra appears to be a corruption of dera signifying a temporary abode or camp.
  • During the reign of Aurangzeb, Ram Rai, Guru of the Udasi Sikhs on being ordered by the Mughal king to retire to the wilderness of the Dun, had pitched his tents here in what is now the Khurbura locality of the town and has also built a temple near Dhanawala.
  • Around these two sites, grew up the town popularly known as Dehra. The term dun or doon means the low lands at the foot of a mountain range, and as the bulk of the district lies in such a terrain, it justified the dun part of the name.
  • Another derivation of the term dun is stated to be from Dronashram, hermitage of Guru Dronacharya of Mahabharata fame, who sojourned for a season in the village of Devara, situated near to Dehra to perform his devotions at a lonely spot.
about-dehradun

How to Reach Dehradun

By Air
The capital city Dehradun has its own domestic airport named Jolly Grant Airport. Located at the outskirts of the city, the airport lies only 25kms away. Daily flight operates to and from Delhi, which is the nearest international airport. Delhi is connected by air to all the major Indian cities like: Mumbai, Chennai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Kolkata etc.

By Road
An extensive network comprised of National Highways, Sate Highways, and metalled motorable roads make Dehradun easily accessible from any part of northern India. A few prominent cities, which have road connections to Dehradun, are: Agra (381kms), Delhi (235kms), Jaipur (493kms), Lucknow (582kms).

By Rail
Dehradun itself is a key railway station in northern part of India. Almost all metro cities in India like: Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata have direct trains to Dehradun. Several important trains also connect the city with Varanasi, Lucknow , Mussoorie and so on.

Important Places to Visit

Card image

The Gurudwara

Built by Guru Ram Raj during the reign of Aurangzeb in the Dhamanwala locality of the town is a religious place of eminence. The other places of importance is the Robber's cave, situated at a distance of about 8 kms from Dehra Dun. The cave is a natural picnic spot surrounded by hills where water suddenly disappears from sight and goes underground only to reappear after a few yards in the form of a stream.

Card image

Tapkeshwar Temple

Tapkeshwar Shiv Temple is an ancient place of worship and is situated on the banks of a rivulet, in the Garhi Cantt. Area, 5.5 Kms from the city bus stand, the temple is well connected by road.

Card image

Sai Darbar

Situated 8 Kms along the Clock Tower on Rajpur Road, is the Sai Darbar Temple. This place holds a high cultural and spiritual value and is visited by tourists from across the country and foreigners as well.

Card image

Chandrabani

Situated 7 Kms from Dehradun on the Dehradun-Delhi road is the famous temple of Chandrabani (Gautam Kund).

Card image

Robber’s Cave (Guchhupani)

An ideal place for a picnic, Robber’s Cave is just 8 Kms away from the City Bus Stand. Local bus services are available upto Anarwala Village, from where it is just a Kilometre’s trek to the spot.

Card image

Malsi Deer Park

10 Kms. from Dehradun, enroute Mussoorie is situated a beautifully developed tourist spot lying at the foot hills of the Shivalik range. Malsi Deer Park is a mini-zoological park comprising of a children’s park enveloped by beautiful, natural surroundings

Card image

Tibetan Temple

Situated on Rajpur Road near the Sai Darbar Temple is a huge and colorful temple of Lord Buddha.

Card image

Tapowan

Approximately, 5 kms from the City Bus Stand on the Dehradun-Rajpur road, this place is situated in beautiful surroundings. Legend has it that Guru Dronacharya had done penance in this area.

Card image

Lachhiwala

3 Kms from Doiwala and 22 Kms from Dehradun, on the Hardwar/Rishikesh road is Lachhiwala. The serene and blissful spot is famous for its picnic spots.

Card image

Rajaji National Park

Rajaji National Park was founded in 1966 and spreads over an area of 820 sq.kms, the park with it’s magnificent ecosystem, is nestled in the lush valley of Shivalik ranges. It represents the flora of several zones of the forest, reverine, broad leaf mixed forest, chirpine forest, scrub land and grassy pasture lands. There are 23 species of mammals and 315 of avi-fauna here. The Rajaji National Park is named after Late Shri C.Rajgoplalachari, popularly known as Rajaji. Best Tourist season is between November to mid June.