The name Dehradun comes from the words - ‘Dehra’ and ‘Doon’. Dehra means a settlement that is temporary in nature. And, Doon is used to refer to a valley.
The present city of Dehradun came into existence when Ram Rai, one of the Sikh gurus, camped in this region with his followers. The city also has strong links to the Afghan royal family. Dehradun is also the home ground for the Afghan national cricket team. The city is also mentioned in the two great Indian epics – Ramayana and Mahabharata.
Things to do in Dehradun
Dehradun has scenic beauty so trekking is very popular here, especially during summers. There are adventure sports, such as paragliding that you can indulge in. The city has many ancient temples and monasteries you can explore. Many tourists also prefer to rent cycles to explore the city. The buzzing markets in Dehradun sell a wide range of goods, such as apparel, electronics and books, which make it a shopper’s delight.
Tourist attractions in Dehradun
Dehradun has several attractions, including temples and viewpoints. Dehradun’s must-visit places are Mindrolling Monastery, Ram Rai Darbar, The Gurkha Fort, Tapovan, Sahastradhara, Tapkeshwar Temple, The Char Siddhs and Tiger View Jungle Camp.
Places to shop in Dehradun
The prominent markets in Dehradun are Paltan Bazaar, Indira Market and Rajpur Road. Apart from these, there are seasonal fairs, such as Saras Mela and Uttarakhand Trade fair where varieties of goods are sold at cheap rates. Basmati rice is famous in Dehradun and it is easily available across the city. Some shopping malls in Dehradun are CrossRoads Mall, Pacific Mall and Parsavnath Mall.
Best time to visit Dehradun
You should ideally visit Dehradun in the summer months when the weather is very pleasant.
Modes of transport
Dehradun is connected to major cities by roadways and railways. The most convenient mode of travel within the city is auto-rickshaws. Tourists can also hire cabs to travel to nearby hill stations, such as Mussoorie and Rishikesh.
Weather in Dehradun
Dehradun has warm summers and moderately cold winters. The maximum temperature during summers is 35°C while the minimum temperature during winters is 3°C. The climate of Dehradun is considered temperate.
Airport in Dehradun
IndiGo operates daily flights to several cities from Dehradun Airport (IATA: DED). The airport has 12 check-in counters. To know more about IndiGo’s flight schedules from Dehradun Airport, visit IndiGo’s official website.