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Tourist Attractions in Dehradun |
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This beautiful hill station has several attractions, many of which are academic institutions and research centres of national importance.
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The Forest Research Institute is main centre of research and planning in the fields of flora and fauna in India.
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The Robber's Cave, situated on the outskirts of the city, is a famous view point. Tapovan is the place where it is believed that Guru Dronacharya (of Mahabharata) had his ashram. Tapkeshwar Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is known for its association with Mahabharata. Dakpatthar is a major tourist attraction opening the visitors to the beauty of Doon Valley. The Central Braille Press or Rashtriya Drishtibaditarth Sansthan Bharat is the largest producer of Braille texts in India
Survey of India
Four kilometers from the center of the city is the office of Survey of India, founded in 1767. The greatest achievement of this organization was that it determined the height of Mount Everest under the leadership of the then Surveyor General, Sir George Everest. The peak was also named after the Surveyor General. The office is a storehouse of old maps and a shop in the complex sells all kinds of maps, though some of them might be outdated. However, a lot of the documents and maps available at the shop might have the stamp 'Not For Export'.
Forest Research Institute
On the Kaulagarh Road, northwest of the city center is the Forest Research Institute. Established by the British in 1906, the institute is dedicated to the preservation of India's varied and much-threatened flora and fauna. Located in extensive grounds covered with myriad species of India's forest wealth, it is the biggest forest based product-training institute and the training school for all forest officers in India.
With the Mussorie ridge as its backdrop, the institute is home to six museums that are open to the public on weekdays. The museums have on display some of the best species of flora and fauna to be found in India. They also house wood samples, insects, furniture, and wildlife, even a few stuffed animals, along with a library and bookshop. It is one of the best institutes in the world on the science of forestry and covers almost all the aspects related to forests and wildlife in India.
Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology
Another place worth a visit is the Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology. It is the best center on Himalayan geology in the country and has done some pioneering work in the field. A museum displaying the geological diversity of the sub-continent is the center of attraction here and a must see for all those visiting the institute. The museum houses rock samples, semi-precious stones and fossils that have been discovered in the Himalayan region and shed light on how the Himalayas came into being.
Tapkeshwar Temple
Situated in the Garhi Cantonment area, 5.5 km from the city center is the Tapkeshwar Mahadev temple. It is a cave temple, on the banks of a seasonal river, dedicated to Lord Shiva and is the only significant temple in Dehradun. Beside he river are steps that lead to a cave in which water drips from the ceiling on a shivling. It is after the dripping that the temple has derived its name 'Tapkeshwar'. Legends connect this temple to the time of the Mahabharat when, it is believed, Lord Shiva made milk flow from this cave for Ashwathama, the son of Guru Dronacharya, the teacher of both the Kauravas and Pandavas.
Tapovan
Tapovan is a sacred site about five km from the city center on the Dehradun-Rajpur Road. The place is located in the picturesque Doon valley and according to popular belief, Guru Dronacharya, the teacher of warfare to the Kauravas and Pandavas, underwent his penance here.
Lakshman Siddh
This temple is 12 km off Dehradun en route to Rishikesh. It is one of the few temples in the region, which can be accessed by a motorable road, and a large number of people visit this temple on Sundays. Legend has is that Lakshman, the younger brother of Lord ram underwent his penance here for killing the demon king Ravan.
Shakya Center
Around 12 km to the north of the city center, past the Survey of India building and well connected by road is a striking Tibetan gompa (temple) known as the Shakya Center. This Buddhist temple is decorated with ornate frescoes and has a center of Tibetan medicine next to it. A sizeable settlement of Tibetan people also flourishes around this gompa and another one that is five km down the road.
Malsi Deer Park
At the foothills of the Shivalik range, about 10 km from Dehradun on the road leading to Mussorie, a new tourist spot named the Malsi Deer park has been developed. The park with its deer, neelgai, and a variety of birds makes it an ideal excursion site. It also serves as a picnic spot where the tourists en route to Mussorie can take a break. A mini-zoo with a children's park and lovely natural surroundings do their bit to attract tourists of all age groups.
Rajaji National Park
Rajaji National Park is situated at a distance of 23 km from Dehradun. This densely forested sanctuary is known for its elephants, barking deer, leopards, sambar and peafowl and a variety of birds. The forest around this region contains 3 sanctuaries, Rajaji, Motichur and Chilla. In the year 1983, the three parks were merged into one and named Rajaji after the great freedom fighter C. Rajagopalachari. Spread over 830 km on the foothills of the Shivalik range, it is especially known for its elephant population. The park is also home to the forest tribe of Gujjars who have lived in these forests for over 200 years. Rajaji is a magnificent ecosystem at the beginning of the vast Indo-Gangetic plains, and has the vegetation of several zones and forest types. It is home to as many as 23 species of mammals and 315 bird species.
Robbers Cave
Also known as Guchu Pani, and situated at a distance of eight km from the city center, Robbers cave is a beautiful picnic spot. On display here is one of natures strange phenomena; a stream of water goes underground here and reappears a few meters away. The cave is surrounded by hills and is a beautiful getaway for those looking for peace and quiet of the hills. Buses are available up to the nearby Anarwala village, from where the caves are only a kilometer away.
Sahastradhara
Around 14 km from Dehradun is the cold Sulphur water spring called Sahastradhara. The spring is believed to have exceptional medicinal value and the dripping caves and a bath in the Baldi River near the spring are said to rejuvenate the body and soul. Many people come to the spring in the hope of being cured from polio and other such ailments. Set amidst the picturesque bounty of nature, Sahastradhara has become quite popular with tourists off late. This has led to the authorities constructing and maintaining special bath for tourists desiring privacy.
Academic Institutions
Several important academic and research institutions are located at Dehradun that provide different academic and research facilities. Some of them are the Anthropological Survey of India, Botanical Survey of India, Survey of India, Indian Institute of Petroleum, Rashtriya Indian Military College, Zoological Survey of India, Wildlife Institute of India, Indian Institute of Remote Sensing, and Indian Military Academy.
Events And Festivals
The Jhanda Fair is celebrated in Dehradun to mark the arrival of Guru Ram Rai to the city in the year 1699. Guru Ram Rai had been banished from Punjab by his father Guru Har Rai for performing miracles in the court of the Mughal king Aurangzeb. The excommunicated Ram Rai reached Dehradun and decided to set up his camp there. He built a gurdwara called Guru Ram Rai Durbar and hoisted his flag on it.
Ever since, a fair is held on the fifth day after Holi every year in March/April as it was on this day that Ram Rai had arrived in the city. Followers from all over the country converge at Dehradun to participate in this fair, which is the largest one celebrated in the Doon valley. A flag (Jhanda) is ceremoniously unfurled at the Jhanda Chowk in the city.
The other fair in the area include the Shivratri fair at the Tapkeshwar temple and the Lakhawar fair held at a village of the same name situated near Dehradun. A fair is held every February to celebrate Shivratri at the Tapkeshwar Temple, where people from nearby towns and villages throng to worship Lord Shiva. The Lakhawar Fair is held at the village of the same name in the months of September-October every year. At both these fairs, the stress is on enjoyment and the local population enthusiastically participates in festive activities like dance, music, and sports competitions.
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