Dehradun
Dehradun
Dehradun is the capital of the Indian state of Uttarakhand, near the Himalayan foothills. At its core is the 6-sided Ghanta Ghar clock tower. To the southwest is Paltan Bazaar, a busy shopping area. Just east is the Sikh temple Gurdwara Nanaksar, topped with ornate white and golden domes. In Clement Town to the city’s southwest, Mindrolling Monastery is a Tibetan Buddhist center with shrine rooms in its Great Stupa. ―
Sahastradhara
Sahastradhara, also known as ‘Thousand Fold Spring’, is a beautiful place surrounded by caves and the Baldi River. Known for its high sulfur content, the spring water is said to have medicinal values. Other than this, the lime content in the spring water has given way to limestone outcrops and ridges. During the monsoon season, the water comes thundering down the rocks, offering a magnificent view.
Robber’s Cave
Also known as Guchu Pani, Robber’s Cave is a 600m-long cave with small waterfalls and a river flowing inside it. It is said that during the British times, robbers used to treat this cave as a hideout, and hence, the name.
Tapkeshawar Temple
Situated on the banks of the Asan River, Tapkeshwar Temple is popular as the oldest Shiva temple in Uttarakhand. The lingam inside this charming temple continuously receives water droplets from the ceiling making it a beautiful spectacle. Further, the never-ending holy chants and ringing of bells make the whole aura extremely devotional.
- Timings: 6 AM to 7 PM
Mindrolling Monastery
The Buddha Temple, also known as Mindrolling Monastery, was founded in 1965 by His Eminence Kochen Rinpoche and a small group of other monks in Tibet to preserve and spread Buddhist teachings and culture. The Buddha Temple complex, one of the four Tibetan religious schools, was built in the Japanese architectural style and has a 103-foot-tall statue of the Lord Buddha. Nyingma is the name of the temple complex, whereas Kagyu, Sakya, and Geluk are the names of the schools housed there. There are statues of Buddha and Guru Padmasambhava on all five of the temple’s levels, which rise to a height of approximately 220 feet. To get a panoramic view of Doon Valley, climb the wooden stairs to the fourth story and stand on the open circular observation platform. The temple is open all 7 days of the week.
- Timings: Summer and Winter Visiting Hours Vary
Malsi Deer Park
Among the most popular Dehradun places to visit, Malsi Deer Park is a haven for wildlife lovers. This peaceful home to herds of deer is a favorite spot for family outings and school picnics. Besides the sleek spotted creatures, visitors can also capture several species of birds at Malsi Park.
- Location: Mussoorie Road
- Timings: 10 AM to 5 PM
Forest Research Institute
Are you interested in plants, birds, animals and other areas of forestry? Then make sure you visit Dehradun’s Forest Research Institute. This popular institute in the field of forestry research was established in 1906 and is known for its eye-catching colonial and Greco-Roman styles of architecture. Although an educational institution, it is open to visitors as well. It houses 6 museums, displaying the research on different areas in forestry. Surrounded by natural beauty, the institute attracts many nature lovers and picnickers as well.
- Location: Chakarata Road, Indian Military Academy, Dehradun
- Timings: 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM; Monday to Friday (Closed on Saturday and Sunday)
- Entry Fee: INR 10 per person
- Ideal Duration: 2-3 hours
