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 , Survey 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 Military 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.
Altitude : 640 mts. (2100 ft)
Season : Ideal round the year

PILGRIMAGE
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.

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 inhabited 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.

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 by a 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 .

Sai Darbar
Situated 8 kms. along the Clock Tower on Rajpur Roadm is the Sai Darbar temple. This place holds a high cultural and spiritual 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.

Bhadraj Temple
Situated on the extreme western region of Mussoorie town, this temple is dedicated to Lord Balbhadra, brother of Shri Krishna. About 15 kms from Mussoorie, Bhadraj offers a commanding view of the Doon Valley and Chakrata ranges.

Surkhanda Devi
Situated at an elevation of 3,030 mts above sea level near village Kaddukhal, the temple of Surkanda Devi is about 40 kms from Mussoorie and 8 kms from Dhanolti. Visitors can go up to Kaddu Khal ( Devas-thali) by Bus or by Car from where the temple is about 2 kms on foot.

Jwalaji Temple (Benog Hill)
9 kms to the west of Mussoorie and at an altitude of 2104 mtrs. is the Jwalaji Temple. It is situated on the top of the Benog Hill and has an idol of Mata Durga in it. The temple is surrounded by these forests and offers a panoramic view of the Himalayan peaks, Doon valley and Yamuna valley.

Nag Devta Temple
This ancient temple, situated on Cart Road is about 6 km from Mussoorie.

Parkasheshwar Temple
20 kms. from the Mussoorie on Dehradun road a famous Temple of Lord Shiva, is an ideal spot on the road to Dehradun. It is located in the Modest of Hill Valley.

Bharat Mandir
The Bharat Mandir is the oldest temple in Rishikesh, near the Triveni Ghat. This temple is dedicated to Bharat, the younger brother of Lord Ram.

Kailash Niketan Temple
This is the main temple at Laxman Jhoola and one can see the sculptures of all Gods and Goddesses in this thirteen storey mansion.

Satya Narayan Temple
The idol of Lord Satyanarayan has been enshrined inside the temple located enroute to Rishikesh, 10 kms. away from Haridwar. The visitors use this place as a station to halt for a casual worship.

Shatrughan Temple
This is an ancient temple dedicated to Shatrughan, Lord Ram's brother and is situated 5 kms. away from Rishikesh.

Neelkanth Mahadev
The Neelkanth Temple is situated on top of a hill across the Ganga. According to mythodology, after the Sagar Manthan Lord Shiva drank all the effluent venom here, which turned his throat blue, hence the name Neelkanth.

Triveni Ghat
A sacred bathing spot on the bank of the river Ganga where devotees take holy dips and offer prayers. Triveni Ghat is believed to be the confluence of the Ganga, the Yamuna and the legendary Saraswati river. The Aarti ceremony at Triveni Ghat, on the south end of Rishikesh, takes place at the sundown.

Lakshman Jhoola
A suspension bridge across Ganga situated 5 kms. from Rishikesh, on the way to Badrinath. Originally, there was a hanging jute (rope) bridge till 1889. This was rebuilt with iron ropes. It is believed that Ram's brother Lakshman crossed the river here on a jute rope. On the west bank, there is a Lakshman temple also.

On the side of this famous bridge is the well known Shri Raghunathji temple. ie. Shri Ram is said to have visited this beautiful place.
This bridge is the main way for people going up the hills and down to the Gita Bahvan and Swarg Ashram.

Ram Jhoola
A suspension bridge between the Shivanand Ashram and the Swargashram. It provides an atternative to a boat ride from one bank of Ganga to another. Its construction is similar to that of the Lakshman Jhoola.

Shivanand Ashram (The Divine Society)
Founded by Swami Shivanand, This well known spiritual centre is renowned for its lectures on spiritual life. Meditation and Yoga classes can be attended in the morning and evenings. A person can stay here for short term study and for longer three - month courses, one must write at least a month in advance.

PLACES TO SEE
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.

Robber's Cave (Guchhupani)
An ideal place for a picnic, Robber's Cave, is just 8 kms. away from the city Bus Stand. 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
7 kms. 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. MuseUm 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.

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

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.

Rishikesh
Rishikesh, also known as the 'place of sages' is Haridwar, at the confluence of the Chandrabhaga and Ganga. It is believed that God by the name of 'Hrishikesh' had appeared as an answer to the hard penances by Rabhiya Rishi and henceforth the place derived its name.

TRAVEL INFO
Air : The nearest airport is Jolly Grant, 24 kms from Dehradun.
Rail : It is connected among other places, to Amritsar, Howrah, Bombay, Delhi, Lucknow, Varanasi and other major cities.
Road : Dehradun is connected to other parts of India with a wide network of road route.