Dehradun is the capital city of the northern state Uttarakhand of India. It is a mesmerizing hill station in the north and the gateway to Mussoorie – the queen of hills. This hill station is the largest and most populous city in the state. The hill station is famous for its research centers, education institutes, and forests. It is the land of Litchis. Dehradun is 670 meters high and lies on Doon Valley in the foothills of the Himalayas.
The name of this city is given after Baba Ram Rai, he was a Sikh Guru. He came to this valley in 1699 and settled his camps here. The literal meaning of this word Dehradun is the camp valley, i.e., Dehra means camps and Doon means valley. This valley starts from river Ganga in the east and ends in the west till river Yamuna. Additionally, this valley holds the rivers like Song as well as Asan. Dehradun is bejeweled and shines like a jewel in the lower Himalayas.
Major attractions
- Malsi Deer Park :- This is a place where you can witness the scenic beauty of the valley. It is a small zoological park established in 1976. This park is also famous as Doon Zoo. Here you can sightsee the young as well as hear dears in their natural habitat. This park is home to various species of birds, and dears, along with exotic wildlife. The park is situated on 25 hectares of land, 10km from the Mussoorie road.
- Sahastradhara :- It is a stream near the Baldi river, i.e., 14 km away from the main city. It is a perfect picnic spot known for its unrealistic beauty. The water of this stream is rich with Sulphur and some medicinal elements that can cure any kind of skin disease. Tourists came here in the search of a cure along with experiencing the picturesque views of the valley.
- Tapkeshwar :- It is a temple dedicated to lord Shiva. This temple is in the forest cave near the seasonal Asan River. The Tapkeshwar Mahadev Temple is a historic temple in Drona cave. It is believed that Guru Dronacharya along with his family reside in this cave. In this cave water naturally drips over the Shivlinga from the ceiling. This temple has great reverence among the local people.
Tourist attraction
- Guru Ram Rai Gurudwara :- This gurudwara was constructed by Baba Ram Rai in 1699 – 1707 with the help of Fateh Shah, the king of Garhwal. It is on a beautiful hilltop location with mesmerizing views of the valley. The gurudwara is a mixture of different sects and communities. The building has domes, murals, and portraits of various gods and goddesses. This building is a beautiful example of Indo-Islamic architecture.
- Daat Kali Temple :- This temple has great significance among the local people and visitors in the city. This temple is of Goddess Kali, named Kali Ka Temple. After purchasing any vehicle people visit this temple to have the blessing of the Devi. The temple is on the Dehradun – Saharanpur Highway near the oldest cave in the valley. It is an astonishing temple with many historical stories. Moreover, thousands of people as well as passersby visit the temple every year.
- Robbers Cave :- It is a place used by robbers during British Raj in the country. This cave is 600 meters long and located 8km away from the main city. The cave has a calming aura, where you can relax and enjoy the peace in the valley. This place is a natural formation of a cave because two rocks are placed in such a way that they look like a cave. There is a fall of 10 meters between these rocks.
Specialties of Dehradun
- Delicacies :- This hill station is famous for its tasty street food. You can have delicious food at reasonable rates. The food here is a mixed culture which means you can have a variety of dishes even on the streets of the city. the special dishes of the valley are Bun Tikki, Gahat ki Dal, Sani hui Muli, Kandalee ka Saag, and many more.
- Research Institutes :- The city has many research institutes founded for analyzing as well as preserving the natural habitat of the valley. The most popular institute in the valley is FRI (Forest Research Institute). This institute was set up by Britishers for leading and organizing forestry research in 1906. This is the most popular research institute in India in the world.
- Tibetan Markets :- These are the famous markets of the hill station. Tibetan markets offer a unique as well as wide variety of hand-knitted sweaters, shawls, and Tibetan jewelry. Moreover, you can purchase different styles of woolen clothing in various materials. Except for these, you can also have buddha idols and artworks.
Best time to visit Dehradun
The best time to visit Dehradun is in the months of March to June. During these months the weather is pleasant and best for exploring the city. These are the months of the summer season so you can relax in the forest as well as enjoy the natural beauty of the valley. This is the peak season of the valley so you can enjoy the lively vibe of the city. However, the hill station has a lively atmosphere with favorable sightseeing weather conditions.
Conclusion
Therefore, we can say that Dehradun is a perfect holiday destination, where you can enjoy as well as experience the beauty of mother earth. This hill station is near the Dev Bhoomi – Rishikesh, so you can also visit there for exploring the true spirit of India. Hence the city is full of adventures along with historic values.
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