5 Must Visit Places in Dehradun

September 7, 2021

Rahil Asif

Being a hub of North Indian Tourism, Dehradun is known for much more than that. Its rawness along with the history that resides in this beautiful valley speaks volumes. The local youth might refer to Doon as a café-driven city, whereas the incoming tourists might give more relevance to Mussoorie. Why is that so? Because, the diversity of Dehradun is second to none.

In today’s rapidly growing local tourism in North India, people are forgetting the jewels that reside in their own towns and cities. Such is the very case with some of the pristine and most beautiful sites of Dehradun. Let us throw some light on 5 must places of Dehradun.

1. Tapkeshwar Mahadev Temple

A state that is known for its religious history and breathtaking sites, tourists and travelers tend to explore rather than putting emphasis on studying its true origin. Tapkeshwar Mahadev Temple is known as the famous holy temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple is situated on the banks of a seasonal river, Asan. What makes this temple spectacular? Well, the temple is known to have the Shivling in its cave, which is considered to be one of the oldest ones. Another vital trivia for the fellow tourists and travelers visiting this temple is that, you will observe water droplets dropping continuously on the Shivling. Hence, the name – Tapkeshwar.

The journey of this temple started way back at the time of the epic Mahabharata, where it was believed that the Guru of Kauravas and Pandavas resided in the Cave. That is when the cave got its name, Drona. In all these years, the temple has seen devotees in massive numbers, waiting in long queues.

This prestigious temple is located 6.5 kilometers away from the main Dehradun city and 10 kilometers from ISBT, Dehradun, and can be reached by local transports like city busses and vikrams.

2. Mindrolling Monastery

In this modern world, all of us look for serenity here and there, but tend to forget where it actually exists. Dehradun, a city, caught between the Garhwal Mountains is home to so many monasteries and temples but there’s quite little that people know about it. One such monastery is Mindrolling Monastery that provides an escape from the noise pollutions of the city and day-to-day problems of our lives. During the time of this monastery’s inception, the Buddhist community has emerged around it. As one of the famous monasteries, The Mindrolling Monastery provides itself as a major attraction to localites and visiting tourists. If you are planning to visit this serene site, do not forget to take notice of the structure’s walls’ art, Lord Buddha’s Statue, Relics, Stupa and the paintings.

One must carry an item that you should consider is your camera. You would not want to miss out on capturing the scenic beauty of this monastery. For book worms, do not worry, as you have a bookstore within the premises of the Mindrolling Monastery.

3. Forest Research Institute (FRI)

Forest Research Institute is reckoned as one of the best academic institutes in India and is a perfect attraction for tourists, travelers and even the Dehradun locals. FRI sprawls over an area of 2.5 hectares, with a backdrop of the outer Himalaya. If you are thinking about what makes the building/structure of this extravagantly historical place special. Well, the building of Forest Research Institute is built with a Greco-Roman and Colonial architectural style. There is not just one feature of this brilliant piece of architecture. Its architectural features are Mughal towers, Roman columns, and formed arches.

An interesting trivia – The size of Forest Research Institute campus is bigger than that of The Buckingham Palace. Surprised? For historians and academic crowd, it is quite important to know that this site has some of the best talents in the forestry research sector, that too since the British era. The interestingness of this beautiful structure never ends. Its lush green campus comprises of libraries, laboratories, herbariums and a lot of museums like Pathology Museum, Silviculture Museum, Social Forestry Museum, Non-Wood Forest Products Museum, Timbra Museum and the Entomology Museum. Ones who are looking for a guided tour or simple exploration, you can get in touch with Himalaya Shelter.

4. Sahastradhara

Sahastradhara means ‘a thousand-fold spring’. It is reckoned to be a very popular attraction, which is famous for the therapeutic value and ecstatic beauty since the water present there contains Sulphur. While the site can be visited any time in the year, except Monsoons, you have so much to admire around you. If you are a travelling tourist in the month of monsoons, you’d love the exceptional beauty of the waterfall when the stream appears like a gushing torrent

Sahastradhara exhibits true serene beauty, where water tends to drip from the limestone stalactites, enabling the water to gain Sulphur-richness. Thus, Sulphur Springs. The water is sweet and fresh, and the whole vicinity acts as a warehouse of waterfalls, caves and steppe farming.

5. Robber’s Cave

Robber’s Cave is a narrow gorge that is formed in the conglomerate limestone. It is basically a river cave that’s formed in the Himalayas. Pretty famous amongst locals, this site makes you feel a part of a mysterious movie with sheets of dark limestone running alongside you and neat streams gushing with the echoing sounds inside the cave formation. The whole setting of this nature-made cave gives a sense of belongingness and slows you down in life, making you enjoy every mesmerizing beauty of the location.

If you walk down this river cave, you will reach a point where you have to crouch and cross the wall opening. When you do that, you will enter the spot of surprise. Cold Water Springs! Yes, these springs are in the underground and help cool the hot summer afternoon temperature.

If you happen to think beyond just day trips, or local exploration, consider getting touch with Himalaya Shelter and become a part of their adventurous intimate interactions to know the local Himalayan Culture and Cuisine.