Uttarakhand’s capital, Dehradun is located in the foothills of the Sivalik range at an altitude of 447m. The name Dehradun is derived from two words, ‘Dehra’ (means camp or settlement) and ‘Doon’ (means a valley). It is believed that back in the 18th century, Guru Ram Rai, the eldest son of the seventh Sikh guru, visited and camped in the Doon Valley. The city, therefore, came to be known as Dehradun.
Things to do in Dehradun
Dehradun is blessed with beautiful landscapes, fit for camping, trekking and paragliding. Dehradun serves as a base camp for prominent treks like Bhadraj Hill and Nag Tibba. One can go on a shopping spree at the local markets. For nature lovers, there are several viewpoints worth visiting. You will never run out of adventurous, interesting things to do in Dehradun.
Tourist attractions in Dehradun
The city is adorned with some of the oldest temples, monasteries, and monuments alongside nature parks, waterfalls and caves. Some of the prominent tourist attractions in Dehradun include Tapkeshwar Temple, Sai Darbar, Mindrolling Monastery, Sakya Centre Buddhist Monastery, Robber’s Cave, Kempty Falls, Rajaji National Park, and Malsi Deer Park.
Places to shop in Dehradun
Shopping in Dehradun is an exciting experience, as the city boasts quite a few shopping malls and famous street markets. Some of the best places to shop are Tibetan Market, Paltan Bazaar, and Indira Market. Dehradun is renowned for its production and export of Basmati rice. You can purchase rice from the local shops at a reasonable price. Astley Hall on Rajpur Road is the best place to buy some good quality furniture. All the street markets and shopping malls like Pacific Mall and Cross Road Mall, sell a range of fashionable clothing, footwear, and accessories.
Best time to visit Dehradun
Summers, extending from March to June, form the ideal time to visit Dehradun. The weather during this period remains pleasant and perfect for sightseeing and adventure activities.
Modes of transport
The chief and cheapest way to get around the city is auto-rickshaws. Tourists can also rent a private car from any of the car rental companies to explore Dehradun. Buses operated by ISBT ply between Dehradun and neighbouring cities.
Weather in Dehradun
Summers are relatively mild and pleasant in Dehradun, as compared to other parts of India. However, the temperature may go up to 40 degree Celsius occasionally, making it slightly uncomfortable for some. Monsoon brings moderate to heavy rainfall between July and September. Winters are cold and foggy with temperatures ranging between 1 degree Celsius and 19 degree Celsius.
Airport in Dehradun
Jolly Grant Airport (IATA: DED) in Dehradun serves all domestic flights to and from the city. To find out more about the flights operated by IndiGo from this airport, visit IndiGo’s official website.