6 Best places to visit in Dehradun
When visiting Uttarakhand, one definitely needs to visit Dehradun. Situated in the Doon Valley, Dehradun is one of the most popular hill stations in India. With the scenic Garhwal Himalayas as the backdrop, Dehradun invites lots of tourists every year. It has a plethora of things to offer to the visitors such as religious places, beautiful tourist spots and wildlife havens among other things. If you are visiting Dehradun then you should definitely try to visit the places listed below.
#1 Sahastradhara
Sahastradhara which literally translates to “thousand-fold spring” is one of the most popular tourist spots in Dehradun. The scenic beauty of the place is due to the thousands of sparkling streams cascading down the limestone walls giving the place its name.
Sahastradhara is located on the banks of river Badli and attracts lots of tourists around the year. It only takes a couple of hours to explore the place and then head towards the Robber’s caves which are located nearby and are another famous tourist spot.
One can find the waterfall, caves and the step farming lands extremely pleasing to the eyes and the scenic beauty is absolutely rejuvenating. There are numerous small pools that are formed as the water drips from the lime stalactites. These pools are considered to have medicinal properties and have a therapeutic value. The dip in the cool sulfur pool is not only refreshing but also has a remarkable medicinal effect.
The perfect time to visit Sahastradhara is during the monsoon season when the stream flows through the rocks vigorously. You can also take a ride in the ropeway cars to the top of the mountain to have the scenic view of the surroundings and the waterfall.
The place is open to the public from about 7 AM to 7 PM on all days and there is no entry fee. One can enjoy the scenic view, visit the Shiva temple, visit the hot Sulfur spring or have fun in the water park.
The distance of Sahastradhara from Dehradun is around 20 Km and you can use the Abhibus coupons to avail massive discounts while booking your bus for the journey.
#2 Tiger Falls
Located far away from the hustle-bustle of Dehradun and located amidst the hills near Chakrata, Tiger fall is another tourist attraction. The spot is quite popular amongst the trekkers and people who want to have a picnic at a remote destination.
The visitors can enjoy the 50m high waterfall and take a dip in the small pond where the water falls. The location is virtually untouched by commercialization and therefore one wouldn’t find a huge crowd over there. It will be just you and the dense forest and the mesmerizing scene.
One should definitely try the trek which is about 5km in length and the route takes you from Chakrata to the waterfall. The trek begins near the Taxi stand in the cantonment area and moves down hill through small villages and lush green fields while providing an enchanting view of the snowclad mountains in the distance.
The Tiger fall is located 85 km from Dehradun and is frequented by buses and cabs. The entry fee is ₹50 and the place is open on all days of the week.
Fact: Tiger fall is considered to be the highest direct waterfall in India.
#3 Robber’s Cave
Robber’s cave is the name given to a river cave located about 8 kilometres from Dehradun. It got its name as it is believed that Robbers used to hide in the cave during the British Raj. The cave is located in close proximity to Sahastradhara and one can easily visit the two places without much effort. Most tourists who visit the cave are amazed on seeing the river flowing through this cave. To visit the caves, one needs to make a 1-kilometre trek from the village of Anarwala. It is called Gucchu Pani by the locals who consider it the home to Lord Shiva.
The cave is around 600 metres long and is divided into two parts. One walking a little further through the stream can witness a splendid waterfall.
To be exact Robber’s Cave is a narrow gorge formed in the conglomerate limestone. The place could easily be a shooting location for a mystery movie thanks to its dark limestone, streams gushing into the cave and the sounds echoing inside the formation. One can definitely find themselves close to nature while visiting the cave as the beautiful surroundings mesmerize you.
The caves are located about 8 kilometres from Dehradun and one can take a taxi to the village and start their trek to reach the caves. The best time to visit the caves is from April to October. Just make sure to carry enough snacks and water as walking through the caves could be extremely exhausting.
#4 Mindrolling Monastery
Mindrolling Monastery is one of the largest Buddhist learning centres in India. It was founded in 1965 and the re-established facility for the original Mindrolling Monastery and was established by Khochhen Rinpoche. One can find a 60-metre tall Stupa amongst the beautiful gardens with various rooms that are decorated with murals and are home to many relics. It also has a 35-metre high statue of Lord Buddha in gold.
The monastery is dedicated to research of Buddhist scriptures, Tibetan lunar calendar, astronomy, traditional Tibetan medicine and calligraphy. One can also find arcades with shops selling artifacts, souvenirs and knick-knacks. One should definitely visit the place to experience the Tibetan culture and enjoy their exotic dishes.
The best part about visiting the monastery is that the top floor of the building provides a jaw-dropping view of the beautiful Doon valley. The monastery is located 7 km from Dehradun ISBT and you can use the Abhibus coupons while booking the bus to avail amazing discounts. The monastery is open to the public on Sundays whereas one can visit the gardens and the shop on all seven days of the week.
#5 Tapkeshwar Temple
Dedicated to Lord Shiva, Tapkeshwar Temple is one of the most popular tourist spots in Dehradun for religious ones and it is considered that your sightseeing trip is incomplete without visiting this place. The temple is built within a natural cave and a stream constantly drips over the Shiva lingam. This natural phenomenon makes it the key attraction.
Situated on the bank of river Nandi the Tapkeshwar Temple is considered to be the oldest Shiva temple in the state of Uttarakhand. The place is surrounded by majestic mountains and lush green forest which makes it a perfect spot for taking photos and is therefore extremely popular amongst the nature lovers and photography enthusiast who visit Dehradun. Another popular tourist attraction is the Sulfur water spring located near the temple.
The Tapkeshwar Temple is located about 10 kilometres away from the Dehradun ISBT and opens between 6 AM and 7 PM. The cave is also the site where the Shivaratri festival is celebrated every year and one should definitely visit this place during the months of February and March.
#6 Mussoorie
Mussoorie is located around 35 kilometres away from Dehradun and was established by a British Army officer in 1820. The ‘Queen of Hills’ as Mussorie is called must be visited while one is in Dehradun. The name Mussorie comes from the berry-covered Mansur shrub found in the region. Mussoorie has its own list of places that one must visit but few of the common attractions include Gun Hill or Childer’s Lodge and Kempty falls. Mussoorie is full of stunning sites both natural and man-made. One can witness the Vestiges of its colonial past are still reflected in the cuisine and architecture or the natural ones such as view of the majestic Himalayas from the top of Gunpoint.
While travelling to Mussorie one can also visit Malsi Deer Park also known as Dehradun Zoo is an excellent place to visit with your family. The zoological garden is spread over an area of 25 hectares and is home to the two-horned deer, nilgai, leopard, peacock and eagles. The Malsi Deer Park is a popular picnic spot where you can explore the surroundings, feed the rabbits, take a stroll through the garden or grab a bite at the cafeteria.
The perfect time to visit Mussoorie is from September to June and one can take a cab or a bus from Dehradun to visit the famous destination. It will take you around a couple of days to explore the place so make sure you have your hotel reserved before arriving.
Conclusion
Dehradun is one of the most popular hill station in India and sees hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. One can find lots of natural and man-made marvels in the city and it might not be possible to see them all during a single trip. This list provides you with some of the must-visit places for your trip to experience the true beauty of the capital city of Uttarakhand.