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India Tourism Guide >> Uttaranchal
Travel Guide >> Dehradun Tourism
Dehradun Tourism
Dehradun in one of the odlest cities of India. Also known as the Abode of
Drona , Dehradun has always been an important centre of the Garhwal rulers
which was captured by the British . the headuarters of many National institute
like ONGC , Servey of India , I.I.P. etc. are located in the city . Dehradun
has a string of premier educational institutes like the forest Research
institute, Rashtriya Indian Military College and the Indian Milirary Academy.
It is favoured tourist destination as it attracts tourists, piligrims and
enthusiasts From various walks of life to its serene environs. Add to this
the abundance of special Basmati rice, tea and leechi gardens which contribute
in turning the city into a paradise.
Places to Visit
Survey of India
Four kilometers from the center of the city is the office of Survey of India,
founded in 1767. The greatest achievement of this organization was that
it determined the height of Mount Everest under the leadership of the then
Surveyor General, Sir George Everest. The peak was also named after the
Surveyor General. The office is a storehouse of old maps and a shop in the
complex sells all kinds of maps, though some of them might be outdated.
However, a lot of the documents and maps available at the shop might have
the stamp 'Not For Export'.
Forest Research Institute
On the Kaulagarh Road, northwest of the city center is the Forest Research
Institute. Established by the British in 1906, the institute is dedicated
to the preservation of India's varied and much-threatened flora and fauna.
Located in extensive grounds covered with myriad species of India's forest
wealth, it is the biggest forest based product-training institute and the
training school for all forest officers in India.
With the Mussorie ridge as its backdrop, the institute is home to six museums
that are open to the public on weekdays. The museums have on display some
of the best species of flora and fauna to be found in India. They also house
wood samples, insects, furniture, and wildlife, even a few stuffed animals,
along with a library and bookshop. It is one of the best institutes in the
world on the science of forestry and covers almost all the aspects related
to forests and wildlife in India.
Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology
Another place worth a visit is the Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology.
It is the best center on Himalayan geology in the country and has done some
pioneering work in the field. A museum displaying the geological diversity
of the sub-continent is the center of attraction here and a must see for
all those visiting the institute. The museum houses rock samples, semi-precious
stones and fossils that have been discovered in the Himalayan region and
shed light on how the Himalayas came into being.
Tapkeshwar Temple
Situated in the Garhi Cantonment area, 5.5 km from the city center is the
Tapkeshwar Mahadev temple. It is a cave temple, on the banks of a seasonal
river, dedicated to Lord Shiva and is the only significant temple in Dehradun.
Beside he river are steps that lead to a cave in which water drips from
the ceiling on a shivling. It is after the dripping that the temple has
derived its name 'Tapkeshwar'. Legends connect this temple to the time of
the Mahabharat when, it is believed, Lord Shiva made milk flow from this
cave for Ashwathama, the son of Guru Dronacharya, the teacher of both the
Kauravas and Pandavas.
Tapovan
Tapovan is a sacred site about five km from the city center on the Dehradun-Rajpur
Road. The place is located in the picturesque Doon valley and according
to popular belief, Guru Dronacharya, the teacher of warfare to the Kauravas
and Pandavas, underwent his penance here.
Lakshman Siddh
This temple is 12 km off Dehradun en route to Rishikesh. It is one of the
few temples in the region, which can be accessed by a motorable road, and
a large number of people visit this temple on Sundays. Legend has is that
Lakshman, the younger brother of Lord ram underwent his penance here for
killing the demon king Ravan.
Shakya Center
Around 12 km to the north of the city center, past the Survey of India building
and well connected by road is a striking Tibetan gompa (temple) known as
the Shakya Center. This Buddhist temple is decorated with ornate frescoes
and has a center of Tibetan medicine next to it. A sizeable settlement of
Tibetan people also flourishes around this gompa and another one that is
five km down the road.
Malsi Deer Park
At the foothills of the Shivalik range, about 10 km from Dehradun on the
road leading to Mussorie, a new tourist spot named the Malsi Deer park has
been developed. The park with its deer, neelgai, and a variety of birds
makes it an ideal excursion site. It also serves as a picnic spot where
the tourists en route to Mussorie can take a break. A mini-zoo with a children's
park and lovely natural surroundings do their bit to attract tourists of
all age groups.
Rajaji National Park
Rajaji National Park is situated at a distance of 23 km from Dehradun. This
densely forested sanctuary is known for its elephants, barking deer, leopards,
sambar and peafowl and a variety of birds. The forest around this region
contains 3 sanctuaries, Rajaji, Motichur and Chilla. In the year 1983, the
three parks were merged into one and named Rajaji after the great freedom
fighter C. Rajagopalachari. Spread over 830 km on the foothills of the Shivalik
range, it is especially known for its elephant population. The park is also
home to the forest tribe of Gujjars who have lived in these forests for
over 200 years. Rajaji is a magnificent ecosystem at the beginning of the
vast Indo-Gangetic plains, and has the vegetation of several zones and forest
types. It is home to as many as 23 species of mammals and 315 bird species.
Robbers Cave
Also known as Guchu Pani, and situated at a distance of eight km from the
city center, Robbers cave is a beautiful picnic spot. On display here is
one of natures strange phenomena; a stream of water goes underground here
and reappears a few meters away. The cave is surrounded by hills and is
a beautiful getaway for those looking for peace and quiet of the hills.
Buses are available up to the nearby Anarwala village, from where the caves
are only a kilometer away.
Sahastradhara
Around 14 km from Dehradun is the cold Sulphur water spring called Sahastradhara.
The spring is believed to have exceptional medicinal value and the dripping
caves and a bath in the Baldi River near the spring are said to rejuvenate
the body and soul. Many people come to the spring in the hope of being cured
from polio and other such ailments. Set amidst the picturesque bounty of
nature, Sahastradhara has become quite popular with tourists off late. This
has led to the authorities constructing and maintaining special bath for
tourists desiring privacy.
Accessibility:
Air: The nearest airport is Jolly Grant , 24 kms. from Dehradun.
Rail: Dehradun is a terminus of the Northern Railway.
Road: Dehradun is well connected to all parts of the country.
Dehradun Tourism
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