The capital city of Uttarakhand, Dehradun, is very often revered as the ‘Educational Hub’ of the state as well. There are many prestigious institutes here, like the Welham Schools, Doon Schools, and others. But, before delving into the specifics, shouldn’t we learn a little more about the city itself?
Dehradun gets its name as a derivative of the Doon Valley. Boarding schools, religious and historical monuments, and close proximity to beautiful places like Haridwar, Mussoorie, and Rishikesh have given this city a spot among every retiree’s favorite place to retire. At an elevation of 1,400 feet, with Ganga and Yamuna surrounding it, and the Himalayas and Shivaliks as its neighbors, one can easily guess how beautiful this city is, and why it’s everybody’s favorite. Here’s a Dehradun travel guide to give you more details about this beautiful destination.
History Of Dehradun
The first mention of the city of Dehradun is seen in the year 1676. This is when Shri Ram Rai, the eldest son of the seventh Sikh Guru, set up camp or ‘Dera’ here. After their establishment in the area, the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb asked Shri Ram Rai for his help believing he has supernatural powers. In return, Aurangzeb built a Gurudwara in Dhamawala. The construction of this Gurudwara was completed in 1707.
After being under the rule of Ruahela Njibuddulo and then his successor Ghulaam Qadir in 1757 through 1785, Dehradun went under a lot of dispute. Finally it ended up in the hands of the British in 1816. Post-independence, Dehradun, Garhwal, Kumaon, and a few neighboring regions merged with the United Provinces, to later become known as the beautiful state of Uttarakhand.
Culture Of Dehradun
Talking about the culture in Dehradun, it’s very rich and deep as it is one of the oldest cities in the country. Since the city is located in the Garhwal region, a mixed influence of the Garwalhi culture and those that ruled the area is seen flourishing in Dehradun. The people of Dehradun speak in Garhwali, Hindi, Punjabi, English, Tibetan, and Kumaoni languages. The city is also a melting pot of many religions. While about 60% of Dehradun residents follow Hinduism, Sikhism, Islam, and Jainism are also prominent.
The vast cultural difference in this city is seen in the many fairs and festivals that are held in this city. Some of the most famous ones seen in Dehradun are Jhanda Fair, Bissu Fair, Hanol Mela, and Shivratri Fair. All of these festivals and fairs are seen in the art, music, and festive clothing that the locals wear in celebration. As a souvenir, you can buy some form of traditional clothes like the bandhani and sarongs, while men can buy decorative clothing like dhotis and turbans. Clothing is a huge part of the culture and the sale of them is a huge business in the area.
How To Get To Dehradun
Dehradun is very well connected to all major cities in the country. However, most of the routes used to reach this city go through Delhi. While this is a great place to take a pit stop in most cases, it’s exceptionally well for the residents of Delhi, since they can hop on any mode of transport they find convenient.
By Air
There are daily flights between Delhi and Dehradun that are conducted by major airlines like SpiceJet, Air India, and Go Indigo. Dehradun also has flights coming in from Mumbai, Lucknow, and Jammu. However, if you plan on flying into Dehradun from any location other than Delhi, there is a very high chance that your flight will have a stopover here.
Once you land at the Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun, you’ll have to avail a taxi to take you to the city, since the airport is about 30 km away and there are no direct buses to get to the airport.
By Bus
One of the most convenient ways to travel to Dehradun by road is to get to Delhi, and then get on a bus from Delhi to Dehradun. You’ll find many private bus services like Volvo and Delux, along with government-run buses organized by Uttarakhand Tourism, that ferry people between the two destinations multiple times in a day.
Do keep in mind that this is a 7-8 hour journey by bus. If you decide to make this trip during the day, you might run into a lot of traffic, further slowing you down. Hence, we suggest you take a bus that travels to Dehradun during the night. This will probably reduce your travel time by an hour or two, and also give you the opportunity to get some sleep while you reach this beautiful hill station.
By Train
This might be the best mode of transport when traveling to Dehradun. Dehradun is a major railway junction that connects to multiple major cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Amritsar, Varanasi, and others. You can also choose what kind of train you want to travel in with a myriad of options ranging from extremely inexpensive to expensive ones that are as luxurious as you can imagine.
By Car
Just like the flights going to Dehradun, almost all routes heading to Dehradun also go through Delhi. However, unlike the flights, this mode of transport does take five hours to get from Delhi to Dehradun, at the least. However, you’ll have to leave Delhi very early in the morning, since leaving later might get you stuck in heavy traffic.
The most preferred route to Dehradun will take you through NH 72A. Even though a national highway, it’s not a wide road with only two lanes for the majority of the way. If you’re traveling on this route in the harvest season, be prepared for a slow-down because of the slow-moving agricultural vehicles. If you want to avoid the long drive, you can also avail a taxi from Delhi, since you have a lot of cab aggregators in Delhi that provides private and shared cabs to Dehradun.
One thing to note is that there are a few locations on this route that are infamously risky. Do your research before you leave, or before you get out of Delhi, at least.
Best Time To Travel To Dehradun
Even though Dehradun is located at the foothills of the Himalayas, this city experiences very pleasant weather throughout the year. However, while the city avoids extremes, you might still experience very rainy monsoons and equally cold winters. This makes Dehradun a unique place with different experiences to offer with every visit.
The summer season is arguably the best season to visit this city. The lack of cold and wetness allows tourists to experience a lot more, compared to the other seasons. You’ll see lush green forests, beautiful streams and waterfalls, clear skies, and an average temperature range between 17°C and 35°C. The summer season also gives the visitors an opportunity to indulge in adventure activities like paragliding and rafting.
Don’t forget to pack a lot of warm clothes, including caps and gloves. However, once armed with winter gear, you can easily go around the city. This is since the city sees a maximum average temperature of 22°C. It also sees some of the most beautiful sceneries in the quaint and lush landscapes, only lit by the warm, winter sun. This makes a trip to Dehradun during winters an experience of its own caliber.
While the monsoons here do add a layer of beauty to the city, we do suggest you avoid traveling to Dehradun in this season. This is because the rain does pose a hindrance to some of the activities and facilities.
Getting Around Dehradun
By Car
The city of Dehradun is fairly compact, making it very easy to explore the area in a car. If you do not bring your own car, you can easily get one here on rent. There are many car rental services in the city with a variety of options to choose from.
By Rickshaw
There are plenty of rickshaws operating in the heart of the city. However, these rickshaws run on a fixed rate instead of a metered one. So, if you do not enquire about the proper prices beforehand, there is a high chance that you might get overcharged.
There are also a few shared rickshaws that run in the city. In fact, there are bright blue three-wheelers called ‘Vikrams’ that are specifically used as shared rickshaws. These are a little bigger than the conventional rickshaws and have the capacity to carry 8 people as passengers. However, Vikrams are often overloaded, causing them to be slow and crowded.
By Bus
The city of Dehradun has a government-run bus service that goes through the city and nearby areas. The tickets for the buses are significantly cheap and they have the destinations written on the windshield in Hindi. However, because of the low prices and frequent trips, these buses are almost always crowded, making them very inconvenient if you’re traveling for a long-distance or with your luggage.
On Foot
Dehradun is surprisingly compact and can be explored entirely on foot. In fact, you can reach many areas in the city in about thirty minutes. Finding your way in the city is relatively easy, too. Rajpur Road, Paltan Bazaar, and the Chakrata Road are popular landmarks here. The best part is, all of these places are connected by a single intersection called the Clock Tower Roundabout. This means you can easily navigate through Dehradun if you know the names, and don’t mind talking to a few locals.
Breaking Stereotypes
‘Garhwali and Kumaonis cannot stand each other’
This is a statement that may have seen its roots in the history of this region. Even if considered historically true, it would be so distant that no current resident of Dehradun could attest to it. After all, it’s not like they were sworn enemies like Batman and the Joker!
Places To Check Out
Robber’s Cave
Robber’s Cave is arguably the best piece of adventure that Dehradun has to offer. Beginning its trek in the Anarwala village, this place lets you witness a river that disappears into a cave and reappears after a point. Not just that, there’s a beautiful waterfall that you can reach via a dark cave between two cliffs.
While you can reach very close to the cave by car, we suggest you trek the whole distance from Anarwala village. This will give you a chance to take in the beauty of the nature that surrounds the trail. You can visit the place from 7 am to 6 pm, after which the trail is typically closed off. If you have any trouble finding the place, ask for Gucchupani, since that is what the locals call Robber’s Cave.
Clement Town
As home to one of the biggest monasteries in India called the Mindrolling Monastery, this town is a great place to visit for anyone wanting to experience Tibetan and Buddhist cultures. There is also a huge stupa, called the Great Stupa, which is 185 feet tall and 100 square feet wide.
The monastery is famous for its beautiful architecture which was created as a culmination of 50 artists working together. Despite several natural calamities, the Mindrolling Monastery has stood strong as though it is made of rock and planted like a tree. While there are multiple accommodations in the town, staying here is known to give the visitors an in-depth look at the Tibetan and Buddhist ways of life. This makes it indispensable from the bucket list of places to visit.
Barkot
Barkot is a haven for the people who love the grand outdoors. This hill station near Dehradun is at a height of 4,000 feet and offers panoramic views of the beautiful landscapes. Barkot is very close to the Yamuna, Gangotri, and Surya Kund. These are important destinations for devotional travelers, like those on a religious trip like the Chhota Char Dham Yatra.
The best part about Barkot is that since it’s a stopover on the many religious travels, it is very quiet once the devotees pass. There are many ashrams and dhabas that will make your trip extremely affordable. If you want to experience fresh, white snow, don’t miss out on Barkot!
Summing Up
Dehradun’s scenic beauty is quite famous all over the world. However, the city also holds cultural and spiritual importance. Not just in Hinduism, but also in Buddhism. With its winding roads and pleasant weather, the hill city is breathtaking at best. So, if you’re looking to go to a hill station this summer, Dehradun must be on your list, ideally on the top!
FAQs
Why Is Dehradun So Famous?
Dehradun is famous for three things. The first one is the beauty that this city holds, which is unparalleled by a lot of standards. Next, it’s known as a gateway to a lot of hill stations in and around the Himalayas, as well as a few important religious destinations. Lastly, Dehradun has a lot of elite boarding schools which are famous throughout the country.
What Is The Most Famous Part Of Dehradun?
The Tibetan Market is arguably the most famous part of Dehradun. It gives the tourists the opportunity to shop for tribal clothing, jewelry, and artifacts while munching on mouth-watering delicacies like momo and thukpa.
Why Is Dehradun Called Doon?
The name of Dehradun is a derivative of the historical fact that Shri Ram Rai called this place his ‘Dera’. Since this ‘Dera’ was in a ‘Doon’, i.e. valley, it came to be known as Dera-Dun, which later turned into Dehradun. However, people often end up calling the place by its original name, ‘Doon’.
What Food Items Is Dehradun Famous For?
While a majority of the cuisine in Dehradun consists of North Indian food, you’ll find the locals frequently munching on dishes like bun tikka, momos, chole puri, chowmein, and rava dosas.
Is There Snowfall In Dehradun?
Dehradun sees snowfall during the winter months (December to mid-February) and turns into a winter wonderland blanketed in snow.
What Is The Best Time To Visit Dehradun?
Summer season (March to June) is the best time to visit Dehradun. However, the city experiences very pleasant weather throughout the year.
How Many Days Are Enough In Dehradun?
Three days are enough to explore the city of Dehradun.
How Far Is Kedarnath From Dehradun?
The distance between Dehradun and Kedarnath by road is 254 km and takes about 6 hours of travel.
