Dehradun City is one of the oldest cities of India, bejeweled-like a glittering jewel in the lower Himalayan mountain ranges. The city is perched at an elevation of 435 meters and is currently enjoying its stature as the capital of Uttarakhand.
Dehradun is the gateway to the famous hill station of Mussoorie and the pilgrimage spots of Haridwar and Rishikesh. This city is famous for its weather, Dehradun climate remains salubrious throughout the year.
Dehradun Tourism, Dehradun Travel Guide, Travel Tips
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Send Enquiry for Tour PackagesThere are several tourist spots, sacred temples, rivers, canals, and waterways adorned in the periphery of the city. Some of the popular tourist destinations of Dehradun are the Tapkeshwar Mahadev temple, Robbers Cave, Lachhiwala, Sahastradhara, Buddha temple, Dak Pathar, Malsi Deer Park, etc. that are frequented by many tourists. The perk of visiting Dehradun is that you can also plan a short trip to the 'Queen of Hills' Mussoorie' and the holy city of Rishikesh which are located nearby.
In Dehradun, you can find people of different ethnic groups living in harmony with each other. Also, in the past few years, Doon has become the favorite place to settle after retirement as many elderly couples have found their safe haven here.
Starting tomorrow, a helicopter service will connect Dehradun to Uttarkashi, enhancing accessibility for tourists and pilgrims visiting the region. This new service is expected to cut travel time significantly and provide a convenient option for visitors to reach popular destinations in Uttarkashi district.
Following the Delhi-Dehradun Expressway, a new 42 km bypass is set to connect Asharodi to Mussoorie. This highway, approved by the Ministry of Environment, will relieve congestion in Dehradun and provide a smoother route for tourists from Delhi, Chandigarh, and Himachal. In its first phase, a four-lane road will link Asharodi to Jhajhra.
Jolly Grant Dehradun Airport recently expanded its flight routes to accommodate more tourists. This improvement is expected to ease access to nearby travel destinations such as Rishikesh, Mussoorie, and Char Dham pilgrimage sites.
The capital of the state of Uttarakhand, Dehradun has plenty of accommodation available for tourists and travelers according to their budget. Being at proximity to Mussoorie, Rishikesh and Haridwar, many places to stay have mushroomed in Dehradun. One can easily find luxurious hotels with all facilities and amenities as well as budget guesthouses with limited amenities at Dehradun.
Dehradun is one of the few cities in Uttarakhand that has properly imbibed the food culture of various regions of India. There are many restaurants offering various delectable cuisines. Popular fast food chains are also available at Dehradun. One can find many restaurants and eating joints along the Rajpur Road. Along with North Indian, South Indian, Chinese, Italian,Thai, Tibetan and Continental cuisine, the indigenous local Pahadi cuisine is worth giving a try.
The historical facts suggest that Dehradun owes its name to Shri Ram Rai, the eldest son of the seventh Sikh Guru, Har Rai Ji who set up his ‘dera’ or camp in ‘dun’ i.e. valley in the year 1676. Deradun later came to be known as Dehradun. It is said that Mughal Emperor, Aurangzeb was in awe with the supernatural powers of the magnetic, Ram Rai. Therefore, he asked the contemporary Raja of Garhwal, Fateh shah to extend a helping hand to Shri Ram Rai. Hence, a Gurudwara or temple was built in Dhamawala. Also, the construction of the present building of Darbar Shri Guru Ram Rai Ji Maharaj was completed in 1707.
Dehradun was conquered by Mahmud of Ghazni during his campaign into India, followed by Taimooralang in 1368, Ruahela Njibuddulo in 1757 and Ghulam Qadir in 1785. The British gain control over Dehradun in 1816 and post-Independence, Dehradun along with the other parts of Garhwal and Kumaon region were merged with United Provinces which later came to be known as Uttar Pradesh.
In 2000, Uttarakhand state, formerly named as Uttaranchal was created from the northwestern districts of Uttar Pradesh, under the Reorganization Act 2000 and Dehradun was made its provisional capital.
As per the Hindu mythology, the name Dehradun has been derived from its nickname “Doon Valley” which is related to the two popular Hindu legends called Ramayana and Mahabharata. In Skanda Purana, Dehradun is mentioned as a part of the region called 'Kedar Khand', the abode of Shiva. Dehradun is one of the oldest cities in India and is believed that Lord Rama and his brother did penance here for killing Ravana.
Around 2,000 years old temples and idols have been found in the surrounding areas of Dehradun, which dates back to the period of Ramayana and Mahabharata. It is also believed that Dehradun was the abode of Guru Dronacharya, who was the royal guru of the Kauravas and the Pandavas.
Dehradun hosts some of the pompous religious fairs such as the Jhanda Fair, Tapkeshwar Fair, and the Laxmansidh Fair. The travelers can either enjoy a shopping spree at the elite shopping malls or choose to bargain at the lively Paltan Market and the Tibetan Market of Dehradun.
One can also visit the popular tourist attractions such as Mussoorie, Dhanaulti, Auli, Kanatal, Rishikesh and Haridwar that are located at a proximity to Dehradun. As the weather is always magical here you can plan a visit to Dehradun in any of the months. You can also travel in the offseason to avoid traffic and rush.
Dehradun also hosts some important fairs of the region like Jhanda Fair, Tapkeshwar Fair, Laxmansidh Fair, Bissu Fair, Mahasu Devta Fair, and the Shaheed Veer Kesri Chandra Fair. Trade Fairs are also organized here on the monthly basis, where you can buy exotic things belonging to different states of India within affordable prices.
Dehradun has earned the epithet of being revered as the 'Educational Hub of Uttarakhand' as it is home to several prestigious educational institutions including the Doon School, Welham School for girls, Welham Schools for boys, and the Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology. The city also boasts some of the renowned national organizations such as the Indian Military Academy, The ONGC, Survey of India, the Forest Research Institute, and many more.
Check out the list of most famous Boarding Schools in Dehradun and Girls Boarding School in Dehradun
Check out the Dehradun weather report for December
The minimun and maximum temperature in December in Dehradun is 7°C and 21°C respectively. The weather is generally cloudy and rains in December and you would feel chilling cold throughout the day. Heavy Woolen clothes are recommended for Dehradun in December.
Dehradun is famous among tourist as Historical, Picnic Spots, Educational Institutes, Food, Capital City, Shopping, Zoo, Business Hub.
Dehradun is recommended destination for Corporates, Couples, Family and Kids, Foreigners, Groups, Solo.
Dehradun is popular destination for following activities/ interests - Biking, Business Hub, Char Dham Route, Christmas and New Year, Leisure, Others, Shopping, Weekend Getaway.
