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Dehradun Travel Guide
Nestled
in the mountain of the Himalaya, Dehradun in one of the odlest cities of India.
Also known as the Abode of Drona , Dehradun has always been an important centre
of the Garhwal rulers which was captured by the British . the headuarters of
many National Institute like ONGC , Servey of India , I.I.P. etc. are located
in the city . Dehradun has a string of premier educational institutes like the
forest Research Institute, Rashtriya Indian Military College and the Indian
Milirary Academy.
It is favoured tourist destination as it attracts tourists, piligrims and enthusiasts
From various walks of life to its serene environs. Add to this the abundance
of special Basmati rice, tea and leechi gardens which contribute in turning
the city into a paradise.
Some facts about Dehradun
Area : 300 Sq. kms.
Altituede : 640 mts. (2100 ft)
Season : Ideal round the year
Accessibility:
Air :
The nearest airport is Jolly Grant , 24 kms. from Dehradun.
Rail :
Dehradun is a terminus of the Northern Railway.
Road :
Dehradun is well connected to all parts of the country.
PLACES OF TOURIST INTEREST
Tepkeshwar
Temple
The temple is situated on the banks of a rivulet, in the Garhi Cantt. Area 5.5
kms. from the city bus stand, the temple is well connected by road. It is named
Tepkeshwar as water droplets, originating form a rock, fall on the Shivling
placed in the shrine. People in large numbers participate in the fair organised
on the occasion of Shivratri and pay their obeisance to the deity.
Malsi Deer Park
10 kms. from Dehradun , enroute Mussoorie is situated a beautifully developed
tourist spot lying at the foot hills of the Shivalik range. Malsi Deer Park
is a mini-zoological park comprising of a children's park enveloped by beautifulm
natural surroundings.
Alongwith the attractive environs the availability of refreshments makes the
place an ideal sight seeing cum picnic spot. Sahastradhara Sahastradhara is
a cold sulphur wate spring, with hing medicinal value. The Baldi river and the
caves provide a breathtaking view. Situated 14 kms. from the city bus stand
, and connected by a regular bus service and private taxies, this is an ideal
place for family picnics.
Kalanga Monument:
Located on the right side of the Dehradun- Sahastradhara route, the kalanga
monument recalls the story of the bravery of an 180 year old battle between
the British and the Gokhas, perched on hill, 1000 feet over the banks of river
Rispana, the monument represents the history of the rulers of Garhwal.
Laxaman Siddh:
12 kms. away from Dehradun , towards Rishikesh is a famous temple known as the
Laxaman Siddh , Legend has it that a sage underwent penance over here. Due to
easy accessibility the temple is visited by a large number of the people especially
on Sundays.
Chandrabani:
Situated 7 kmS. from Dehradun , on the Dehradun- Delhi road is the famous temple
of Chandrabani (Gautam Kund). According to the mythological beliefs, this spot
was inhanited by Maharshi Gautam , his wife and daughter Anjani who are widely
worshipped by temple. It is believed that the daugher of heaven Ganga had manifested
herself on this spot which is now popularly known as the Gautam Kund. Every
year devotees, in large numbers , take a dip in the holy Kund. 2 kms. away from
the main raod , located in the midst of Shivalik hill, the place is a beautifl
tourist spot.
Sai Darbar:
Situated 8 kms. along the Clock Tower on Rajpur Roadm is the Sai Darbar temple.
This place holds a high cultural and spirital value and is visited by tourist
form across the country and foreigners as well. Tibetan Temple Situated on Rajpur
Road near the Sai Darbar is a huge and colourful temple of Lord Budha.
Robber's Cave (Guchhupani):
An ideal place for a picnic , Robber's Cave , is just 8kms. away from the city
Bus Stand . Lachhiwala 3 kms. from Doiwala and 22 kms. from Dehradun , on the
Haridwar-Rishikesh road , is Lachhiwala. The serene and blissful spot is famous
for is picnic spotsl.. The place also provides accommodation ot the tourists
in the forest Test House nestled in the greenery.
Forest Reasearch Institute
7kms. from clock Tower , the Forest Research Institute on the dehradun- Chakrata
motaable road is the biggest forst based training institute in India. Most of
the forest officers are product of this insitute . the F.R.I. with its majestic
building also houses a Botanical Mueseum. Indian Military Acadeny Situated 8
kms. on Dehradun - Chakrata road and 3 kms. beyond F.R.I. ( Dehradun ) is a
premier training institute for Army officers.
The academy has the following places of tourist interest. 1. Museam 2.Library
war memorial arms and ammunition shooting demonstration room & Frima Golf
Course [18 HOLES]
TAPOVAN
Approximately, 5 kms.from the city bus stand on the Dehradun - Rajpur Road ,this
place is situated in beautiful surroundings. Legend has it that guru dronacharya
had done penance in this area.
SANTAULA DEVI TEMPLE:
About 15 kms .from the dehradun to reach the famous temple of santuala devi
,one can Utilize the bus facilities till jaitanwala ,then it is a 2 kms. drive
to punjabiwala bya Jeep or any light vehicle and further it is a 2 kms .trek
from punjabiwala to the temple The temple stands as a symbol of the faith people
have in the temple and has great Cultural and religious significance .
BHAGIRATH RESORT:
An 18kms. drive along the chkrata road ,bhagirathi resort at selaqui ,dehradun
Lends a breath -taking spectacle of the himalaya ranges. The resorts lures the
tourists With its tranquil swimming pool ,water slides and fountain .against
the backdrop Of the mountain ranges ,the resort is an ideal tourists spot.
WADIA INSTITUTE:
5 kms .uphil from the clock tower ,on general mahadev singh road is situated
the wadia institute which institute which houses a unique museum of the uttrakhand
glaciers.
The Zooligical Survey of India:
Founded in 1916 the Zooligical Survey of India, 5 kms. away of kaulagarh road,
a department under the Ministry of Enviroment and Forests, and Forests, is a
premier Nastional Institute exploring the faunal diversity of the country. It
undertakes surveys in all the bniogeographic zones to collect. Identify. Collate
and inventories faunal diversity of our country. The museum of this institute
has a variety of Himalayan faunal diversity.
Fairs and Festivals:
Jhanda Meal March/April
Tapkeshwar Meala Shvaratri
Laxaman Sidh Mela April
Chadarbani Mela April
Banks:
State Bank of India, Dehradun.
Allahabad Bank, Clock Tower.
Bank of Baroda, Astley Hall.
Bank of India, Rajpur.
Central Bank of India. Astely Hall,
Oriental Bank of Commerce, Rajpur Road,
Punjab Nationla Bank, Paltan Bazar,
Punjab & Sind Bank, Arhat Bazar. ( Foreign Exchange Facility)
Railways:
Dehradun is the terminus of Northern Railway.
Working hours of Computerised Reservation office at Dehradun: weekdays
08.00 to 20.hours .Sundays 08.00 to 14.00 hours . enquiry -Reservation. Ph;
622233/131
EXCURSIONS
Mussoorie
38
kms . from Deharadun is Murroorie with its green hills and varied flora and
fauna, is a fascinating hill station. It offers a wonderful view of the Himalayan
snow ranges to the north-east and the Doon valley, Roorkee, Saharanpur and Haridwar
to the South, creating an almost serene atmosphere for the tourists.
Murroorie was discovered by Captian Young, an adventurous military officer in
1827. He was lured by the extraordinarily beautiful ridge and laid the foundatation
of it. Mussoorie is also a Gateway to the 'Gangotri' shrines.
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- - -› About
Himalayas - - -› People
& Tribes of Himalayas
People & Tribes of Himalayas
The
population, settlement, and economic patterns within the Himalayas have been
greatly influenced by the variations in topography and climate, which impose
harsh living conditions and tend to restrict movement and communication. People
living in remote, isolated valleys have generally preserved their cultural identities.
However, improvements in transportation and communication, particularly satellite
television programs from Europe and the United States, are bringing access from
the outside world to remote valleys. These outside influences are affecting
traditional social and cultural structure.
Nearly 40 million people inhabit the Himalayas. Generally, Hindus of Indian
heritage are dominant in the Sub-Himalayas and the Middle Himalayan valleys
from eastern Kashmir to Nepal. To the north Tibetan Buddhists inhabit the Great
Himalayas from Ladakh to northeast India.
In central Nepal, in an area between about 1830 and 2440 m (between about 6000
and 8000 ft), the Indian and Tibetan cultures have intermingled, producing a
combination of Indian and Tibetan traits. The eastern Himalayas in India and
nearby areas of eastern Bhutan are inhabited by animistic people whose culture
is similar to those living in northern Myanmar and Yunnan province in China.
People of western Kashmir are Muslims and have a culture similar to the inhabitants
of Afghanistan and Iran.
The economy of the Himalayas as a whole is poor with low per capita income.
Much of the Himalayas area is characterized by a very low economic growth rate
combined with a high rate of population growth, which contributes to stagnation
in the already low level of per capita gross national product. Most of the population
is dependent on agriculture, primarily subsistence agriculture; modern industries
are lacking.
Mineral resources are limited. The Himalayas has major hydroelectric potential,
but the development of hydroelectric resources requires outside capital investment.
The skilled labor needed to organize and manage development of natural resources
is also limited due to low literacy rates. Most of the Himalayan communities
face malnutrition, a shortage of safe drinking water, and poor health services
and education systems.
Agricultural land is concentrated in the Tarai plain and in the valleys of the
Middle Himalayas. Patches of agricultural land have also been carved out in
the mountainous forested areas. Rice is the principal crop in eastern Tarai
and the well-watered valleys. Corn is also an important rain-fed crop on the
hillsides.
Other cereal crops are wheat, millet, barley, and buckwheat. Sugarcane, tea,
oilseeds, and potatoes are other major crops. Food production in the Himalayas
has not kept up with the population growth.
The
major industries include processing food grains, making vegetable oil, refining
sugar, and brewing beer. Fruit processing is also important. A wide variety
of fruits are grown in each of the major zones of the Himalayas, and making
fruit juices is a major industry in Nepal, Bhutan, and in the Indian Himalayas.
Since 1950 tourism has emerged as a major growth industry in the Himalayas.
Nearly 1 million visitors come to the Himalayas each year for mountain trekking,
wildlife viewing, and pilgrimages to major Hindu and Buddhist sacred places.
The number of foreign visitors has increased in recent years, as organized treks
to the icy summits of the Great Himalayas have become popular. While tourism
is important to the local economy, it has had an adverse impact on regions where
tourist numbers exceed the capacity of recreational areas.
Historically, all transport in the Himalayas has been by porters and pack animals.
Porters and pack animals are still important, but the construction of major
roads and the development of air routes have changed the traditional transportation
pattern.
Major urban centers such as Kathmandu, Simla, and Srinagar, as well as important
tourist destinations, are served by airlines. Railways link Simla and Darjiling,
but in most of the Himalayas there are no railroads. The bulk of goods from
the Himalayas, as well as goods destined for places within the Himalayas, generally
come to Indian railheads, located in the Tarai, by road. The pack animals and
porters transport goods from road heads to the interior and back.
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