Posted 07 November 2022 in Travel wanderlust

Everything you can do on a short getaway to Dehradun

Dehradun is not only the capital of Uttarakhand but also the most populated and largest city in the state. Its development into a smart city in the Himalayas will ease the population explosion due to migration in New Delhi, the capital of India.

Located in Doon Valley, the beautiful city is nestled between the Song and the Asan rivers, tributaries of Ganga and Yamuna, respectively. It lies in the vicinity of other tourist destinations in the Himalayas like Dhanaulti, New Tehri, Mussoorie, Harsil, Auli, Uttarkashi, etc.

Dehradun is a research and academic hub that hosts many schools, institutes, and research centres. It is situated 640 m above sea level and was a crucial centre for the Garhwal rulers. Due to its strategic geography, the Indian Army has bases in the city.

Here are the top six reasons to visit Dehradun:

1. Explore the vibrant culture of Dehradun

Being a major part of the Garhwal Region, the culture of Dehradun has a great influence from the heritage of Garhwali. Many natives speak the Garhwali language, apart from Hindi, Punjabi, Nepali, English, Kumaoni, and Tibetan. People here majorly follow Hinduism and Jains. Muslims and Sikhs also live here in harmony.

The diverse culture of the city celebrates several festivals with fervour and utmost enthusiasm. Some of the prominent festivals celebrated here are Hanol Mela, Bissu Fair, Jhanda Fair, Mahasu Devta Fair, Shivaratri Fair, and Tapkeshwar Mela. Due to mixed culture, the traditional dress of the s is colourful and attracts many tourists around the globe.

The costumes of women include ghagra choli, sarongs, long skirts, bandhani, sarees, and lehengas. Men often wear lungis, turbans, dhotis, and kurta pyjamas. Dehradun is also famous for its folk dances like Thadya, Rasau, Jhumallo, Tandi, Jagar, Chholiya, Chaunfla, and Chanchri.

2. An unending list of tourist destinations

Soak in the beautiful view at Sahastradhara: Thename means ‘thousand-fold spring’, and it is a mesmerising tourist attraction in the city. Sparkling water is known to contain sulphur that adds therapeutic and medicinal properties to it. The waterfall creates breathtaking scenery by flowing through limestone stalactites. You can click pictures, spend some alone time with your partner, or gaze at the beautiful surroundings.

3. Learn about the various eras of human civilisation at the Zonal

Anthropological Museum: Cultural enthusiasts and historians often like to visit this museum to get acquainted with the past civilisations of humans. It is popular for recreating scenes from the routine lives of the initial inhabitants of Garhwal. It also features artefacts that give you a sneak peek into the lives of humans that lived in the Himalayan region.
Offer prayers at the Ram Rai Gurudwara: It is one of the major religious sports for the Sikh community in the city. Built in the 17th century, the gurudwara is famous for celebrating the festival of Holi.
Click pictures at Shikhar Falls: A few kilometres away from the city lies Shikhar Falls in the Kairwaan village of Raipur. It offers a stunning backdrop with shallow pools and little birds chirping around the place. It is surrounded by wild flora and many species of butterflies. You can capture beautiful scenes, enjoy the pools, and have a small picnic up there. However, tourists must wear comfortable clothes and shoes.
Go for an educational tour at the Regional Science Centre: If you are travelling with kids, then this centre is a must-visit on your trip. It is home to a dinosaur park, a dinosaur gallery, a library, a 3D theatre, and an exhibition hall. You can even register online for a visit. The kids get to learn some interesting things, and it offers them an interactive experience.
Explore the Tiger View Jungle Camp: A few kilometres outside of Dehradun is a Tiger View Jungle Camp that is an abode of endangered species of Indian Tiger. You can book a jungle safari to explore the flora and fauna around the camp. It also has an option for camping in the natural habitat of animals.
Robber’s Cave: Also called Gucchu Pani, it is a river cave in the Himalayas. According to mythological tales, it was an abode of Lord Shiva and is a popular tourist spot. The water here follows right into the middle of the cave. Dark limestones form the narrow gorge, and the stream of water gushes out, echoing the cave. This mesmerising place has cold water, and therefore, it is a perfect visit on a summer afternoon.
Adore the lush greenery at Lachhiwala: Itis a family picnic spot near Dehradun, which also features hotels and cottages as accommodation options. With the brook flowing through the forest, it is an amazing spot to spend some fun time. You can boat, swim or perform other water activities in the brook. However, travellers are suggested to carry equipment.
Spend some time in the Forest Research Institute: Itis a heritage building where families often visit to spend some quality time. It boasts Greco-Roman architecture and features at least six museums that are fun to visit for both kids and adults. You can take a stroll around the Botanical Garden or book a guided tour of the museum. It spans over 4.5 sq. km and was established in 1906.
Go sightseeing in the Malsi Deer Park: Malsi Deer Park is a zoological garden with rich flora and fauna in the surroundings. If you are a nature lover, you must visit this place to take a short break from the bustling routine life. Travellers spot rabbits, deer, nilgai, tigers, peacocks, and other animals as well as birds. The charming green surroundings create a flawless backdrop to click some amazing pictures.
Worship at the Tapkeshwar Temple: Dedicated to the Hindu Lord Shiva, this temple is among the famous religious places in Dehradun. Inside a natural cave, the temple features a Shiva Lingam created from the droplets of water seeping from the openings in the rocks. It is situated on the banks of the Tons River and is surrounded by majestic mountains. Thus, it creates a panoramic view and fills you with spirituality.
If you are on a long vacation, there are a few places nearby Dehradun that you must include in your itinerary, like Rajaji National Park, Assan Barrage, Fun Valley, Tapovan Temple, Har Ki Dun, and Kalsi. A list of other places to visit in the city includes Chetwode Hall, Zonal Museum, Maldevta, Kalinga War Memorial, Clock Tower, Mindrolling Monastery, etc.

4. Activities to be undertaken in Dehradun

Trekking: This tops the list of fun activities for adventure enthusiasts. Dehradun is a base camp for treks like Nag Tibba, Bhadraj Hill, Chhaskhet,and Kempty Fall. Another trek that you can undertake is Chakrata.
Beat the heat at natural springs: Dehradun is surrounded by several natural springs like Lacchiwala, Tiger Fall, Sahastradhara, Shikhar Fall,and Guchhu Pani. You can swim here or come with your family to enjoy yourself.
Paragliding: If you have no phobia of heights, then paragliding is an amazing activity to experience an adrenaline rush. Offering a bird's eye view of the city, you can also capture your experience.
Take a photo walk around the city: Dehradun has awe-gasping backdrops and landscapes. From magnificent colonial buildings to mesmerising waterfalls, you can clickhundreds of pictures in the Doon Valley.

5. Shopping in Dehradun

Paltan Bazaar is one of the famous local markets to shop in Dehradun. It is the oldest market here and features all kinds of items for shopping lovers. From vibrant clothes to fancy jewellery, tourists and locals come here to purchase anything and everything that they need. You can also buy a few decorative household items and some amazing stationery items.

Travellers and locals also like to visit the Tibetan Market to buy precious and colourful stones, handicraft items, and junk jewellery. It is also famous for street food delicacies like thukpa, momos, and noodles. Other famous markets in Dehradun are Astley Hall, Connaught Place, Arhat Bazar, Gandhi Road Market, and Pacific Mall.

6. Try the amazing local cuisine of Dehradun

Dehradun is famous for serving lip-smacking street food items at budget prices. A few must-try dishes include bun tikki, momos, dosa, noodles, tandoori momos, paneer samosa, chowmein, chole puri, and bread pakora. A few cultural dishes that you must give a try are Kulath Phanu, Arsa, Bal Mithai, Kandalee Ka Saag, Gulgula, Kaafli, and Singodi.

The list of popular places where you should relish your taste buds with mouth-watering food includes:

Madrasi Dosa
Maggi Points
Kumar Sweets
The Buffet Snack Shop
Bun Tikki Wala
Best Chinese Food Stall

To experience fine dining, tourists can visit:

Muse: The Art of Gourmet
Black Pepper Restaurant
The Signature Restaurant
Oberoi’s Restaurant
Salt & Cravings
Aura Kitchen and Spirits

Experience the dazzling nightlife of Dehradun

With an array of clubs and pubs, Dehradun has a lively nightlife that attracts many tourists. You can visit lounges, try delicious food, groove to the upbeat music, and dance the night away. A few names of renowned clubs include Dehradun Club, VIBEZZ The Lounge, Opal, Pirates, Maacozy, Voyla, etc.

Tips before you travel to Dehradun

Make bookings for flights and hotels in advance to avoid the last-minute hassle.
Carry sweaters, jackets, boots and shoes if you are travelling in winter.
Carry sunblockcream to protect the skin
Must try the local cuisine
Take your time while visiting the waterfalls
Click lots of pictures

How to reach Dehradun?

Air: Only 27.4km away from Dehradun lies the Jolly Grant Airport, which makes for the best IndiGo flight to Dehradun. You can catch regular flights from major cities in India to your destination. For more information on flights, visit goIndiGo.in.
Trains: Dehradun Terminal Railway Station sees frequent trains arriving from various parts of the country. You can book a seat on any available train according to your convenience. From outside the station, you can book a cab or use public transport to reach the hotel.
Roads: Dehradun is well-connected to nearby cities via the road network. From New Delhi, you can take a bus or car to reach the city.

How to travel around Dehradun

You can either book a taxi or rent a car to travel around the city. Auto-rickshaws are a budget-friendly mode of transportation in Dehradun.

Climate of Dehradun

Dehradun experiences a humid subtropical climate that makes it one of the most-visited places in India. Because it is a hilly region; therefore, summers are pleasant. But during hot winds or loo season in the country, the temperature can cross the 40°C mark. During winters, the temperature can even drop below the freezing point, but that happens rarely. The city receives rainfall between June and August, while the latter month experiences record showers.

Best time to visit Dehradun

The best time to visit Dehradun is between March and June. Summers are quite pleasant there, and you can visit tourist spots without experiencing any hassle. If you like chilly weather, the city boasts a serene view of the Himalayas between November and February.

Conclusion

Dehradun is a modern city with a mixed yet colourful culture. It offers mesmerising views and lush green surroundings. If you are a nature lover and love to take a walk around a hill station, then book your tickets with IndiGo and travel to Dehradun.