Dehradun also spelled Dera Doon is a well-known hill station and a must-visit for tourist visiting Uttarakhand, be it families, honeymoon couples, or backpackers. Nestled in the Doon Valley, it is primarily known for the number of elite boarding schools it has like the Doon School and the Indian Military Academy. Dehradun is the capital of the state of Uttarakhand, India. located at the foothills of Himalaya is also the most populated city of the state, Dehradun City is one of the oldest cities of India.
Dehradun is the gateway to the famous hill station of Mussoorie and the pilgrimage spots of Haridwar and Rishikesh. Part of the Garhwal region, Dehradun is renowned for marvellous architectural display of colonial buildings built during British era. Some of the iconic locations include the 6-sided Ghanta Ghar clock tower s Paltan Bazaar, a busy shopping area. The Sikh temple Gurdwara Nanaksar, topped.
In Clement Town to the city’s southwest, Mindrolling Monastery is a Tibetan Buddhist center with shrine rooms in its Great Stupa. Well connected by road, rail and air Dehradun is a notable academic and research hub and is home to institutes like Rashtriya Indian Military College, Uttarakhand Ayurveda University, Forest Research Institute, Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology, Indira Gandhi National Forest Academy and Indian Institute of Remote Sensing.
It is believed that after the battle between Ravana and Lord Rama, Lord Rama and his brother Lakshmana visited this site. Also, known as ‘Dronanagari’ on the name of Dronacharya, legendary Royal guru to the Kauravas and Pandavas in the epic Mahabharata, is believed to have been born and resided in Dehradun. Dehradun itself derives its name from the historical fact that Baba Ram Rai, the eldest son of the Seventh Sikh Guru Har Rai, set up his “Dera” (camp) in “dun” (valley) in 1676 with help from Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb was highly impressed by the miraculous powers of charismatic Ram Rai. He asked the contemporary Maharaja of Garhwal, Fateh Shah to extend all possible help to Ram Rai This ‘Dera Dun’ later on became Dehradun.
A Gurudwara was built in Dhamawala called Guru Ram Rai Darbar Sahib,and completed in 1707. The Afghan royal family maintained a presence in Dehra Dun. It was the birthplace of the second to last King of Afghanistan, Mohammed Nadir Shah. The Kabul Palace in Dehradun is now called Mangla Devi Inter College. The main source of business in Dehradun is tourism . The city’s economy is enhanced by the presence of nearby national parks, mountain peaks and historical sites. /though agriculture is still the regular source of income for many.
The city is well known for its sports cricket and other sporting events, as a show of competition between various schools. Major defense production establishments include the Ordnance Factory is located in Dehradun. Major tourist destinations[ include the Dehradun Zoo, Kalanga Monument, Chandrabani, Himalayan Gallery cum Regional Science Centre Guchhupani, Forest Research Institute, Tapovan, Lakshman Siddha Peeth, Tapkeshwar Temple, Santala Devi Temple, Mindrolling Monastery, Prakasheshwar Mahadev Temple, Sai Mandir, Central Braille Press[ and Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology.
Although open throughout the year, the best time to visit Dehradun is from May to October. Winter in Dehradun arrives in December and the temperatures drop to 3 degrees, owing to snow fall in nearby hill stations, such as Mussoorie but it doesn’t snow. The maximum temperature during this time is 22 degrees Celsius. The capital city of Uttarakhand boasts of pleasant climate all year round, which makes it an ideal place to plan a memorable getaway.
There are numerous hotels, resorts, guest houses, and lodges that provide luxurious mid-range and budget accommodation. The restaurants of Dehradun serve variety of veg and non veg cuisine. Streetfood is especially very popular here. Dehradun is a major shopping centre of the state and has some of the major markets of the state with shops selling variety of local and international brands.. Overall Dehradun is a must-visit place for an extended weekend holiday
