Information about Dehradun Hill Station
Location: Dehradun
State: Uttaranchal
Capital: Dehradun
Language: Hindi, English, Garhwali
Temperature: Max 18˚C, Min 10˚C (summer), Max 5˚C, Min 0˚C (winter)
Best Season: May to June and September to November
How to Reach:
By Air:
The capital city of Dehradun has its own domestic airport named Jolly Grant Airport. Located at the outskirts of the city, the airport lies only 25kms away. Daily flight operates to and from Delhi, which is the nearest international airport. Delhi is connected by air to all the major Indian cities like: Mumbai, Chennai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Kolkata etc.
By Road:
An extensive network comprised of National Highways, Sate Highways, and metalled motorable roads make Dehradun easily accessible from any part of northern India. A few prominent cities, which have road connections to Dehradun, are: Agra (381kms), Delhi (235kms), Jaipur (493kms), Lucknow (582kms).
By Rail:
Dehradun itself is a key railway station in northern part of India. Almost all metro cities in India like: Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata have direct trains to Dehradun. Several important trains also connect the city with Varanasi, Lucknow , Mussoorie and so on.
This scenic city nestled in the Doon valley is the capital of Uttarakhand , the northern state of India previously known as Uttaranchal. Dehradun is one of the famous tourist destinations in Uttaranchal and attracts a large number of tourists every year.
Location:
Dehradun is flanked by the Himalayas in the North, the Shivalik range in the south, the Yamuna river to its west and the Ganges to its east. The city is located in the North western side of the state and adjoins the districts of Uttarkashi, Pauri Garhwal, Hardwar, Nahan (Himachal Pradesh) and Saharanpur (Uttar Pradesh).
History:
Dehra is a variation of the word dera which means camp, or a temporary abode. A group of Sikhs led by Ram Rai on being ordered by the Mughul emperor Aurangzeb to retire to the forests had pitched temporary tents in this area. Dun is the name of the valley and the word means low land at the foot of a mountain.
The district is part of the Garhwal Himalayan region previously known as Kedar Khand. This region has been under the reigns of many ruling lines including the Katyuris, Gurkhas, Sikhs, Mughuls and the British. The British gained control of the region as a consequence of the treaty of Sugauli signed after the war with Gurkhas in 1816.
Tourist attractions in Dehradun:
Dehradun is a popular tourist spot and a tour to Dehradun includes visits to the many tourist attractions in the city as well as the many tourist spots near Dehradun. The tourist attractions in Dehradun include many academic institutions and research institutes besides many sites of religious important and natural beauty. The major tourist attractions in Dehradun are –
Tapovan :– it is believed to be the location of the ashram of guru Dronacharya , a character of the great Indian epic, Mahabharata.
Robber’s cave :– it is a famous view point and a scenic spot situated outside the city.
Tapkeshwar Temple :– an old temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, it is believed to be associated with the Mahabharata.
Dakpatthar :– it is a popular spot offering splendid views of the Doon valley.
Maldevta, Sahasradhara, Lacchiwala, Santhla Devi, laxman Sidh temple and Malsi deer park are some other tourist spots in and around Dehradun. The hill station of Mussorie is 36 kilometers from the city. The famous Sikh pilgrimage center, Pointa Sahib is situated nearby on the banks of Yamuna. Hardwar and Rishikesh are the other two major tourist destinations in Uttarakhand enar Dehradun.