Dehradun
Dehradun, the capital city of Uttarakhand, India is situated in the Dehradun district. Set amidst the Himalayas, the Shivalik Hills, the river Ganga and the river Yamuna, Dehradun is one of the most popular hill resorts in India. The name of the city is obtained from the words ‘Dera’ meaning a camp and ‘Dun’ meaning a river valley. Legend has it that Dronacharya, the guru of the Pandavas and Kauravas lived here while Lord Rama and his brother Lakshmana did penance here for slaying Ravana. Dehradun has had a chequered history, passing through the hands of many rulers, though it had always remained an important center of the Garhwal rulers, till it was captured by the British. In the hands of the British, Dehradun became an English settlement and the summer retreat for the Viceroy’s body guards.
Dehradun is famous not only as a hill station, but also as the location of many elite educational institutions like the Doon school. One of the premier institutes located in Dehradun is the Forest Research Institute which has six museums with an impressive collection of botanical specimens and animal life. The Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology has a museum with an interesting display of fossils, rocks and semi precious stones.
There are many picturesque and interesting places to see in Dehradun. Guru Dronacharya’s memory is sanctified in Tapovan, while Lakshman Siddh temple situated a little distance away marks the spot where Lakshmana undertook penance for killing Ravana. The cave temple of Tapkeshwar Mahadev dedicated to Lord Shiva, stands on a scenic spot on the banks of a seasonal river.
The Rajaji National Park houses a variety of wildlife including wild elephants. The Malsi Deer Park, 8 km from Dehradun is a popular picnic spot. A short trip of 14 km from Doon takes one to Sahastradhara, a pretty waterfall where one can wash away all ailments as the water is said to have curative powers since it emerges from a cold sulphur spring. Another interesting picnic spot is Robber’s Cave, 8km from Dehradun. The fascinating phenomenon here is a stream of water that suddenly disappears from sight only to emerge a few metres away as a small stream!
Dehradun, the one time summer retreat of those living in the plains of North India attracts tourists from all over the country and abroad. It has skiing facilities and excellent trekking routes for the adventure seekers. There are many shops where one can buy handicrafts, carpets and woolens. This enchanting hill station at the foot of the Himalayas is rated high as a travel destination.
Dehradun is famous not only as a hill station, but also as the location of many elite educational institutions like the Doon school. One of the premier institutes located in Dehradun is the Forest Research Institute which has six museums with an impressive collection of botanical specimens and animal life. The Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology has a museum with an interesting display of fossils, rocks and semi precious stones.
There are many picturesque and interesting places to see in Dehradun. Guru Dronacharya’s memory is sanctified in Tapovan, while Lakshman Siddh temple situated a little distance away marks the spot where Lakshmana undertook penance for killing Ravana. The cave temple of Tapkeshwar Mahadev dedicated to Lord Shiva, stands on a scenic spot on the banks of a seasonal river.
The Rajaji National Park houses a variety of wildlife including wild elephants. The Malsi Deer Park, 8 km from Dehradun is a popular picnic spot. A short trip of 14 km from Doon takes one to Sahastradhara, a pretty waterfall where one can wash away all ailments as the water is said to have curative powers since it emerges from a cold sulphur spring. Another interesting picnic spot is Robber’s Cave, 8km from Dehradun. The fascinating phenomenon here is a stream of water that suddenly disappears from sight only to emerge a few metres away as a small stream!
Dehradun, the one time summer retreat of those living in the plains of North India attracts tourists from all over the country and abroad. It has skiing facilities and excellent trekking routes for the adventure seekers. There are many shops where one can buy handicrafts, carpets and woolens. This enchanting hill station at the foot of the Himalayas is rated high as a travel destination.
