Dehradun

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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Camping in George Everest near Mussoorie
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Dehradun Tourism : Why Visit Dehradun?

There 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.

Dehradun Travel News

04 Nov 2024
New 42 km Bypass from Dehradun to Mussoorie Announced

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.

15 Oct 2024
Flight Options Expanded to Jolly Grant Airport

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.

12 Sep 2024
Schools to remain closed on September 13 in Dehradun district after heavy rain alert

According to the order issued by the District Magistrate, in view of the continuous heavy rainfall in the district and the warning issued by the Meteorological Department, an order has been issued to keep all government and private schools from class 1 to 12 closed in the district on Friday, September 13, 2024 .

10 Sep 2024
Delhi-Dehradun Expressway to cut travel time to 2.5 hours, likely to open in December

The travellers will soon be able to travel from Delhi to Dehradun in just 2.5 hours via the Delhi-Dehradun Expressway, which is expected to be completed by December 2024. Right now, the trip from Delhi to Dehradun takes around 5.5 to 6 hours. Check how to reach Dehradun.

Dehradun Travel Tips

  • It is an ideal weekend destination for tourists looking for a quick respite from their work schedule. Mussoorie is just 30 kms from Dehradun which is a bonus. 
  • If possible, avoid travelling in the monsoons season. Dehradun witnesses heavy and incessant rainfall during the monsoons.
  • Dehradun offers many picnic spots which can be enjoyed with family and kids.

Staying in Dehradun

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 Food Guide

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.

History of Dehradun

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.

Mythology about Dehradun

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 - The city of Joy

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.

Fairs in Dehradun

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 as an Education hub

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

Dehradun Photo Gallery

Buddha temple in Dehradun.
Night view of Dehradun from Mussoorie.
Budhha temple, Dehradun, Uttarakhand.
Forest Research Institute Dehradun
FRI Dehradun in Monochrome
F.R.I Dehradun
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Dehradun Questions

Anagha Paul
16 Jul 2024
Q. Which is the best season to visit Dehradun?
A. The best time to visit Dehradun is between Oct-April. The weather is pleasant making it perfect for sightseeing and outdoor activities. May-June is highly crowded.
Ankita Manral , 16 Jul 2024
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Babita Arora
06 Jul 2024
Q. Can I visit Rishikesh from Dehradun and come back the same day?
A. Rishikesh is barely 40kms from Dehradun and can definitely be visited as a day tour from Dehradun. Start off early morning to explore Rishikesh. 1 night stay is recommended for Rishikesh so that you can participate in evening Ganga Aarti on the banks of river Ganga. Also, note that Rishikesh get very crowded during the weekends.
Bhupendra Kunwar, 06 Jul 2024
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Harshita Gupta
06 Jul 2024
Q. Is Delhi-Dehradun expressway open which is claimed to reduce travel time to 2.5 hrs?
A. No, the expressway is not open yet. The Ganeshpur-Mohand-Dehradun elevated road stretch is expected to be completed by end of July 2024 while the entire expressway may be ready by the end of this year.
Bhupendra Kunwar, 06 Jul 2024
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Dehradun Weather

Check out the Dehradun weather report for November

Dehradun Weather in November

The minimun and maximum temperature in November in Dehradun is 10°C and 25°C respectively. The weather is generally cloudy and rains in November and you would feel cold throughout the day. Light Woolen clothes are recommended for Dehradun in November.

Detailed weather information of Dehradun

What is Dehradun famous for?

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.

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