Dehradun, located in Doon Valley on the foothills of the Himalayas, is the capital of the north Indian state of Uttarakhand. It is also the largest city and the most populated city in the state. Dehradun is often visited in combination with popular hill station Mussoorie or pilgrimage sites Haridwar and Rishikesh. Dehradun has some beautiful & unique sightseeing spots that you can’t miss. Here’s a list of the best places to visit in Dehradun in a day.
Best Places To Visit In Dehradun
Robber’s Cave
Robber’s Cave, locally known as Gucchhupani, is a natural cave formation where a river flows through the cave. The place got its name from the fact that the cave was a hideout of robbers during the British rule.
It has become a popular picnic spot and is visited by large numbers of locals & tourists. But walking through the cold water inside a dark cave is a thrilling experience nonetheless. Hence Robber’s Cave ranks high in my list of the best places to visit in Dehradun.
Sahastradhara
Sahastradhara literally means ‘thousand-fold spring’. This waterfall cascades through limestone stalactites, making the water rich in sulphur. It is one of the most popular attractions in Dehradun, due to its medicinal & therapeutic value as its water contains sulphur.
Take a bath in the water or just dip your feet & enjoy the cool breeze.
Tapkeshwar Temple
Tapkeshwar Temple in Dehradun, also known as Tapkeshwar Mahadev Temple, is one of the most famous temples dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple is situated against a beautiful natural backdrop by the forest side, on the bank of the Asan river.
The main shivalinga at the temple is inside a natural cave. Water droplets from the ceiling of the cave trickle down over the shivalinga, making for an interesting spectacle.
According to Mahabharata, Guru Dronacharya is said to have resided in this cave for a period of time.
Note: Reaching all the above sightseeing spots will include some amount of walking and/or climbing stairs. So don’t try to cover more than 3-4 places in a day so as to fully enjoy each place & not rush from one to the next.
There are a few more places in Dehradun which we couldn’t visit but you can include them if you have another day in hand.
Mindrolling Monastery
Mindrolling Monastery is one of the largest Buddhist centres in India. Located in the foothills of the Himalayas, the monastery attracts a large number of visitors every year. The architecture of the monastery is influenced by Japanese architectural style and it houses a tall stupa along with Buddhist sculptures and paintings.
Shikhar Falls
Shikhar Falls is located in the outskirts of Dehradun, away from the main city and in the lap of nature. It is slowly becoming popular due to its scenic and peaceful location. You have to trek 1-1.5 km to reach the waterfall.
Planning Guide
How To Reach Dehradun
By Air: Jolly Grant Airport is the nearest airport to Dehradun & is well connected with most major Indian cities. Another popular option is Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi, from where you can hire a car or take a bus to reach Dehradun.
By Rail: Dehradun Railway Station is the city’s largest railway station and is well connected to the rest of the country.
By Road: Dehradun is well connected by road to most cities You can hire a car or drive from Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, parts of Himachal Pradesh & Uttarakhand. You can also avail bus service from Delhi & some parts of Uttarakhand.
Where To Stay In Dehradun
We stayed at Green Velvet located in Rajpur in Dehradun and will highly recommend it. The rooms were beautiful, the food was delicious and you can spend hours at the balcony just staring at the view! Staying at this property made our Uttarakhand trip experience even more memorable.
Most people know or have heard of Dehradun as a crowded & congested city, especially in comparison with other hill stations. I felt that there are two completely different sides to Dehradun, one which is congested with buildings, shops, people & has frequent traffic jams, the other which is situated in the lap of nature & will instantly make you fall in love! If you love nature, make sure you book your stay in the second part of Dehradun, away from the hustle bustle of the city, surrounded by mountains.
Best Time To Visit Dehradun
Spring and summer months from March to June is considered as the best time to visit Dehradun because of the pleasant weather and clear skies. This time is also popular for adventure activities. But this is also the peak tourism season so be prepared for tourist rush!
Autumn and winter months from October to February is also an ideal time to visit Dehradun. You can enjoy a cool and pleasant weather in October and November. It can get very cold (especially at night) during peak winter months from December due to snowfall in nearby hill stations like Mussoorie. But sightseeing during the day can be very enjoyable while soaking up the winter sun!
Monsoon in Dehradun continues from July to September and this season has its own charm. It’s a good time to relax and enjoy the beauty of the lush green landscapes. Visiting Dehradun during the monsoons is fairly safe as it is located in the foothills of the Himalayas but travelling to the mountain regions should be avoided during heavy rainfall as there can be sudden landslides. Most adventure activities are also closed during this time.
Camera Gear Used For Photography:
- Canon EOS 77D 24.2MP Digital SLR Camera
- Tamron SP AF17-50mm F/2.8 XR Di II LD Aspherical [IF] Lens for Canon DSLR Camera
Check out my ‘What’s In My Camera Bag‘ blog post for more details.
I really hope you enjoyed reading this article and you’ll find the information useful whenever you plan to visit these beautiful places in Dehradun.
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