+91 9799050299 
Dehradun is one of the most beautiful cities in the sub mountain tracks of India, known for its scenic surroundings. The name Dehradun is a collection of two words “dera” meaning camp and “dun” meaning valley.
It is also known as one of the oldest cities in India, it is believed that Lord Rama and his brother did penance here for killing Ravana, the demon king.
Under the British, Dehradun became an elite town with many a fine institution like Forest Research Institute, Doon School and Welham Schools for girls and boys, many more, like the ONGC and Wadia Institute of Himalayan Studies, were added in time. Dehradun has now become an important tourist destination.
History of Dehradun
Dehradun derives its name from two words, ‘dera’ meaning home and ‘doon’ meaning valley that lies between the Himalayas and the Shivaliks. The city is also often referred as the Doon Valley. According to one story, the naming of Dehradun took place due to Shri Ram Rai, the eldest son of the seventh Sikh guru Har Rai Ji. It is believed that he along with his disciples set camp or ‘dera’ in the Doon Valley. And thus, it came to be known as Dehradun.
The city was also mentioned in the two great epics Ramayana and Mahabharata. According to mythology, Dehradun is the birthplace of Dronacharya, the royal guru of Kauravas and Pandavas. Not just this, but the Pandavas too have had an influence on the city when they ruled Hastinapur. On the other hand, it is also believed that Ram along with his brother Laxman came to Dehradun after they defeated Ravan in the epic battle. Relics like ancient temples, idols as old as 2,000 years link these stories from the epics to
Tourist Places In And Around Dehradun
The place attracts a large number of tourists every year. The pleasant weather and the natural surroundings have made the destination popular among tourists. Moreover, it is the gateway to some of the other beautiful destinations of Uttarakhand, such as Mussoorie, Nainital, Haridwar, Auli and Rishikesh. Dehradun is home to some research and educational institutes, such as the Indian Military Academy, the Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology, the Forest Research Institute and the Doon Public School. Indian Military Academy, situated on the Dehradun-Chakrata Road, was founded on 1st October 1932 under the leadership of Brigadier L. P. Collins.
The academy has a museum, a war memorial, a shooting demonstration room and FRIMS Golf Course. Another popular institute in Dehradun is the Forest Research Institute (FRI), located on the Kaulagarh Road. It was set up in the year 1906. It sprawls over 2000 acres. The building of the institute is palatial and represents the perfect blend of the Greco-Roman and the Colonial style of architecture. Some of the other tourist attractions of Dehradun include Sahastradhara, the Rajaji National Park and the Malsi Deer Park. Sahastradhara is a beautiful spring, situated 11 km away from Dehradun. Tourists, as well as locals, visit this place in large numbers for a picnic. The depth of the spring is around 9 m and the water is considered to be of therapeutic value for people suffering from skin diseases. The place is also renowned for its beautiful and ancient religious centres. The Laxman Siddh Temple, the Tapkeshwar Mahadev Temple, the Santala Devi Temple and Tapovan are some of the famous temples of Dehradun.
The Tapkeshwar Mahadev Temple is a noted cave temple devoted to the Hindu Lord, Shiva. Tapak is a Hindi word, which means to drip. The Shivling, enshrined in the temple was formed naturally, by water dripping from the ceiling of the cave. Travellers can explore this beautiful place either by car or on foot. The shops here are popular for local handicrafts, woollen clothes, jewellery and books. Rajpur Road, Paltan Bazaar and Ashley Hall are the major shopping destinations in Dehradun. The restaurants here are famous for delicious Tibetan momos. Apart from the natural surroundings, educational institutes and ancient temples and monuments, the place is renowned for its special Basmati rice. In addition to site seeing and shopping, the city is a heaven for adventure enthusiasts. Several adventure sports such as paragliding and skiing can be enjoyed in the Doon valley. Adventure lovers can go for a short pleasurable trek of 30 km from Dehradun to Mussoorie. Rajpur serves as the base camp for this trekking expedition.
How To Reach Dehradun
The destination is well-connected to the other parts of the country by air, rail and road. The Jolly Grant Airport is located at a distance of 20 km from the city centre. It is connected to Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi by regular flights. It is the nearest international airbase to the destination. The Dehradun Railway Station is a major railhead that connects the destination with cities like Delhi, Varanasi and Kolkata, to list a few. Travellers can also reach the place by availing state and private bus services. Regular deluxe buses to Dehradun are available from New Delhi.
Uttarakhand is replete with a vast array of scenic vacation spots as well as pilgrimage destinations. Apart from the popular travel destinations of Uttarakhand, there are a couple of lesser-known ones too. To know about the top hidden places of Uttarakhand, Uttarakhand is a land of many marvels and amazing tourist destinations. While some like the Char Dhams, Mussoorie, and Nainital etc are very well known there are other destinations which few tourists know about. Here are the top 10 hidden gems of Uttarakhand that can capture your heart and mind with their exquisite beauty and rich heritage.