Dehradun

Famous for:
Capital of Uttaranchal with scenic beauty and is the gateway to important tourist destinations in Uttaranchal and Uttar Pradesh.


Video: Driving in Dehradun

Background:
Dehradun, meaning Camp (Dera) and Valley (Dun), is the capital city of the state of Uttaranchal and is the gateway to important tourist destinations like Mussoorie, Haridwar, Rishikesh, etc.
It lies at an altitude of 640 meters and is surrounded by the Himalayas. It is known for its pleasent climate, scenic surrounidings, excursions and beautiful picnic spots.
Dehradun is an ancient city, which is also referred in Ramayana as the place where Lord Ram and Lakshman did penance for killing the demon Ravana.
Historically, it was ruled by different rulers. Guru Ram Rai or Durbar Sahab of Punjab stayed here and the Mughals occupied it from 1757 to 1770. The Mughals were defeated by the Gurkhas, who stayed here till they were defeated by the British in 1815.
It was under the British that Dehradun became an "elite" city. It has the Indian Military Academy and the headquarters of the Survey of India, which was established by Col G Everest. There are number of other institutions like Forest Research Institute, Institute of Himalaya Studies etc.


Video: Forest Research Institute

Tourists make Dehradun their base for adventure, pleasure as well as religious travels on the region.

What to see:
Guru Ram Rai Durbar
Location: In the Dehradun city
Tapkeshwar Temple or Drona Gufa
Location: 5 km from Dehdarun railway statoin on the Eastern banks of the river Tons.
Robbers' Cave
Location: 1 km walk from Anarwala village


Video: Robbers cave

Dehradun Shahstradhara
Location: 11 km from Dehradun


Video: Dehradun Shahstradhara

Park Estate or Sir Geroge Everest House
Location: 6 km from Dehradun city
Malsi Deer Park
Location: At the foothills of the Shivalik range
Forest Research Institute
Lakshman Siddha
Location: In jungle, 10 km from Dehradun on Rishikesh road
Raj Bhawan (Governor's House)


Video: Flower show and folk dance at Raj
Bhawan

Sites nearby:
Rajaji National Park
Location: 24 km from Dehradun, 8 km from Haridwar


Video: Dancing Peacock at Rajaji NP

Asan Barrage (lake)
Location: 38 km from Dehradun on Paonta Road
Mundali
Location: 130 km from Dehradun.

Chakrata
Location: 98 km from Dehradun


Video: India Second tallest WaterFall

Yamuna Hydel Scheme
Location: 45 km from Dehradun
Mussoorie
Location: 34 km from Dehradun


Video: Mussoorie hills

Haridwar
Location: 66 km from Dehradun
Rishikesh
Location: 43 km from Dehradun

Reaching there:
Air: There is an airport at Dehradun called Jolly Grant (24 km from Dehradun city) but not many flights operate from here. Delhi (236 km) has the nearest domestic and international airports.
Rail: Dehradun Station is very well connected with trains to places like Delhi, Amritsar, Howrah, Mumbai, Varanasi etc.
Road: NH 1 is the National Highway passing through Dehradun. It is very well connected by road to Delhi and other cities of Uttaranchal, Uttar Pradesh and other Northern States of India. Dehradun is also the Gateway city to tourist destinations in Uttar Anchal like Rishikesh, Mussoorie etc and is connected by good roads.

Courtesy : Indiatourist
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