Dehra Dun

Dehra Dun is an old historial town. It is a main town of Garhwal and Uttaranchal. It is also called Doon Valley. Earlier this Valley was a huge lake. But ecological changes have made the lake disappear as also the dense forest and wild animals. Historical findings show that in the times of Mahabharat these forests were used by the Pandavas when they were sent on their exile.

During the rule of the Mauryas also this region was used by King Ashoka. The Chinese Ambassador Hiuen-Tsang is also said to have visited  this place.

But now this Valley is literally barren. In the end of the 16th century and the beginning of the 17th century the Doon Valley was ruled by Maharani Karnvati. The Gurkhas defeated her and ruled from 1791 to 1803. In 1814, the British defeated the Gurkhas and established themselves here.

The main attraction of this valley is that it is surrounded by the Himalayas in the North, the Shivalik Mountain Range in the South, the River Ganges in the East, and the river Yamuna on the West. Dehra Dun Valley is 1500 to 2500 feet above sea level.

Places of Interest:

Robber's Caves:
This is 8 kms from Dehra Dun. Here amidst high mountains are narrow valleys of hot and cold streams. This is a picnic spot. The mountains have many caves and hence the name. This place is also called Gachchupani.

Sahasra Dhara: Sahasra Dhara which is 14 kms from Dehra Dun, is very famous for its aromatic clear water which is said to cure many skin ailments. Many springs sprout from caves in the mountains and flow down together. The name itself means "thousand streams" . This picnic spot is equipped with small bazaars, restaurants, a Government Tourist Bungalow and a rest house.

Wadia Geological Center: 5 kms from Dehra Dun town, located on General Mahadev Singh Road many geological items are displayed here. This is the first Museum in India which houses articles from the Himalayas.

Malsi Deer Park: Situated on the Mussoorie road 4 kms away from Dehra Dun, this park is famous for its deer, monkeys, various birds.

Tapkeshwar: In this cave is a Shiv Temple. This is 5 kms away from Dehra Dun.

Bijapur Canal: Here there is a dam and also a lovely Garden where one can picnic .

Chandrabani: South of Dehra Dun at a distance of 5 kms Chandrabani is the Ashram of Rishi Gautam. According to the epics, Indra had tried to charm Ahalya, wife of Rishi Gautam with the help of the Moon God, Chandra. When the Rishi got to know of this, he cursed Chandra and converted Ahalya into stone. Here there is a pond and a temple.

Forest Research Centre and University: This center is on the Dehra Dun-Chakrata Road 5 kms away. This University is one of its kind in Asia. Spread over 11,000 acres of land it is very popular among tourists. There is a museum here surrounded by greenery . Film Directors come here to shoot their films. A restaurant is attached to the main building and it is popular for its delicious and inexpensive dishes.

Indian Military Academy: 7kms from Dehra Dun on the Dehra Dun-Chakrata Road, military training is imparted here.

Tapovan: 6 kms away from the inter State Bus Terminus, Tapovan is a point where sages of the ancient era used to meditate. It is said that Guru Dronacharya had his ashram and training school here. In those days, this city was called Dron Nagar or Dron Doon.

Kalang Memorial: This is situated en route to Sahasra Dhara. It has been built in memory of the Gurkhas who fought the British 180 years ago. 5 kms. from the city, it is situated on a mountain 1000 feet above sea level. One has to walk a distance of 2 kms. to get here.

Dot temple : This famous temple is 14 kms away fom Dehra Dun on the Dehra Dun-Saharanpur road. It has been built in a tunnel.

Lachchiwala: This beautiful picnic spot 15 kms away from the city is away from all the pollution and commotion of the city. There is a dam here near which there is a park where both the old and the young can enjoy. This picnic spot is in the midst of dense woods which have very tall trees and a river flowing from the mountains. This is an excellent place to visit on the weekend.

Lakshman Siddha: 12 kms from Dehra Dun, we find this famous place in the southern part of the city. This memorial inside a thick forest is always crowded on Sundays and other holidays. There are a lot of untouched spots here with no shops and no houses.

Raipur Fall: 5 kms. from the city this fall can be visited easily by the regular bus services.

Temperature:

Main Shopping Centres:

1. Sushil Departmental Store, Dispensary Road
2. Sushil Trade Tower, Palton Bazaar.
3.Anekant Palace, Rajpur Road.
4. Windless Shopping Complex, Rajpur Road.
5. RGM Plaza, Chakrata Road
6. Capri Trade Center, Chakrata Road.
7.Janpath Complex, Chakrata Road.
8. Rohini Plaza, Rajpur Road.
9. Super Bazaar, Rajpur Road.
10.Paltan Bazaar, Rajpur Road.

Shopping :
Woollen Clothes and jewellery. Apart from this, eatables like lychees, basmathi rice are also good.

Restaurants:

Accommodation is also available at the Tourist Guest House and the Railway rest houses.

Distances from Cities and towns :

Travel Plans :

Air: The Jolly Grant Airport is midway on the Dehra Dun -Rishikesh Road. It is 24 kms from the city. Daily Flights are available from Delhi.

Rail: Rail Lines are connected to all the major cities in the
country. The New Delhi-Dehra Dun Shatabdi Express runs daily.

Road: Dehra Dun is on the (NH 45). The Himachal Road Transport , Delhi and Haryana Road Transport, The Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan State Transport Buses, all ply regularly.  Taxis, Cars, Vans etc are all available with private operators. Most of the Buses start from the Gandhi Road Interstate Bus Terminus.