In our first article on India’s newest state, Uttarakhand, we looked at the skiing, trekking and adventure opportunities on offer for tourists. In this story, we journey to Dehradun, gateway to the state.
Dehradun, provisional capital of the state of Uttarakhand, is a logical stepping off point for an extended visit to the temples, mountains ski fields and wildlife sanctuaries located nearby.
While Dehradun is one of the oldest cities in India, it’s establishing a vibrant future as the headquarters of many national international IT organizations. The Indian government is encouraging hi-tech industries to invest in the region so, while the city is undergoing an economic boom, its magnificent religious, commercial and public buildings have are being well preserved.
Dehradun is located in the Doon valley, 230 kilometers north of India's capital New Delhi. The district is surrounded by the Himalayas in the north, Shivalik Hills in the south, the river Ganga (Ganges) in the east, and the river Yamuna in the west. Not surprisingly, it’s a fertile region, famed for its lychees and ‘Dehradooni’ basmati rice.
Situated 640 m above sea level, Dehradun enjoys a sub-tropical climate with cool winters, warm and crisp springs, hot summers and torrential monsoons. The mountains around Dehradun receive considerable snowfall in winter, and temperatures in the city can drop below freezing. The best time to visit the region is November to mid June.
Reaching Dehradun’s attractions can be easily accomplished by rental car, the blue striped city buses crisscrossing the city, or one of the numerous three wheel vehicles known as ‘Vikrams’ which provide the most common and cheapest form of public transport – but also the chief source of noise and air pollution in the city.
Accommodation is plentiful and ranges from guesthouses to luxury hotels. Some of the more prominent include the Tourist International Guest House and Hotel Prince on Hardwar Road and a concentration on the Rajpur Road that includes the Hotel Madhuban, the Hotel Great Value, the Shri Krishna Guest House and even a Best Western Hotel.
The center of city's activities is the popular landmark known as the Clock Tower (Ghanta-ghar), a tall structure with 5 functioning clocks. It also marks the location of Dehradun’s mall – the market and retail hub of the city.
DAY TOURS AROUND DEHRADUN
Tapkeshawar Temple, 5.5 km from the city bus. Water droplets, originating from a rock, fall on an idol placed in the shrine. People in large numbers journey to the fair organized on the occasion of Shivratri and pay homage to the deity.
Sahastradhara, the 'thousand fold spring' is situated 11 km from Dehradun. The Baldi River and local caves provide an ideal picnic spot. Water cascading here has left an encrustation of lime which, over the centuries has formed a shallow cave, from whose roof falls a perpetual shower. There is also a sulphur bathing spring whose water is said to have great curative powers.
Laxman Siddh, 12 km. from Dehradun, is a famous temple visited by large numbers of people, particularly on Sundays.
Malsi Deer Park, 10 km From Dehradun, lies at the foothills of the Shivalik range. It is a mini-zoological and children's park with spectacular views of the natural surroundings. The availability of refreshments makes the place an ideal sightseeing or picnicking spot.
Chandrabani, 7 km from Dehradun on the Dehradun-Delhi road, is s famous temple reputed to have once been the home of Maharishi Gautam whose wife and daughter Anjani are widely worshipped by local people. It is also believed that Ganga, the daughter of heaven, manifested herself on this spot. Each year, devotees bathe in its holy pool (Gautam Kund) which is. 2 km away in the midst of Shivalik hills.
Sai Darbar Temple, 8 km along Rajpur Road, holds a high cultural and spiritual value and is visited by tourists from across the country.
The Tibetan Temple, also on Rajpur Road near Sai Darbar is a huge and colorful structure venerating the Lord Buddha.
Robber's Cave (Guchhupani) is a popular picnic spot just 8 km away from the City Bus Stand. Local bus services are available up to Anarwala Village from where the cave is an easy 1km trek.
Lachhiwala - 3 km from Doiwala and 22 km from Dehradun, on the Rishikesh road is Lachhiwala. Famous for its picnic spots. The place also provides accommodation to tourists in a Forest Rest House nestled in the greenery.
Bhagirathi Resort, an 18 km drive along the Chakrata road, the resort beckons tourists with its tranquil swimming pool, water slides and fountains. Against the backdrop of the Himalayan ranges, the resort is an ideal tourist spot.
Santala Devi Temple lies 15 km from Dehradun. One can utilize the bus facilities till Jaitunwala, a 2 km drive to Punjabiwala by jeep and then a 2 km trek to the temple. Legend tells that Santla Devi, and her brother, when faced with face the Mughal Army, abandoned their weapons and began to pray. A light flickered before they both were transformed into stone images. A shrine was built and Saturdays mark the transformation of the Goddess into stone.
Asan Barrage Water Sports resort was created in 1967 and it is popularly known as Dhalipur Lake. Situated 43 km from Dehradun on Chandigarh-Shimla highway, the resort offers water skiing, boating and rowing. Wildlife lovers receive an added bonus during the winter season as migratory birds can be seen in the vicinity
Rajaji National Park was founded in 1966 and spreads over an area of 820 square km, nestled in a lush valley of Shivalik ranges, is home to 23 species of mammals and 315 species of birds.
GETTING TO DEHADRUN
Access to the city, and indeed the entire Uttarakhand region, is well provided via a network of road, rail and air links.
The nearest airport is the Jolly Grant around 25 km away, on the outskirts of the town. There is a daily flight from here to Delhi, which is the nearest international airport.
Dehradun is a major railhead on the Northern Railway line with direct trains to almost all the metropolitan cities of India. The Shatabdi Express is the best option for the tourists coming from Delhi, while the Dehradun-Mumbai Express connects the city to Mumbai. There are also trains to Varanasi, Kolkata and Lucknow.
Dehradun is also well connected to other cities of Uttarakhand and Delhi with regular bus services. Distances of some major cities from Dehradun are Agra 381 km, Calcutta 1562 km, Chennai 2365 km, Delhi 235 km, Jaipur 493 km, Lucknow 582 km, and Mumbai 1578 km.
In the next article, we will focus on another of Uttarakhand’s cities: Haridwar, known as the ‘Gateway to God’.
For further information, visit http://www.euttaranchal.com/ and http://www.uttaranchaltourism.com/