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:
| Climate |
Max |
Min |
| Summer |
30°C |
25°C |
| Winter |
23°C |
3°C |
Distances from Cities and towns
:
| Cities |
Kms |
| Agra |
384 |
| Shimla |
362 |
| Delhi |
236 |
| Mussoorie |
36 |
| Rishikesh |
42 |
| Nainital |
297 |
| Haridwar |
52 |
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.
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