When one thinks of a family holiday, the images that come to mind are of green trees, beautiful skies, cool weather, delicious cuisine, and a location where you can ignore about your problems and relax. This vacation spot is one of the several that offers this opportunity to its tourists. Dehradun, the capital of Uttarakhand, is recognised for its pleasant climate and stunning surroundings. It is located on the slopes of the Himalayas. One of the most astounding aspects about this location, though, is that it is also one of India's most prominent educational centers. It's hard to see how a city so small and insignificant could compete with India's other financial sectors. With some of the country's most famous universities and residential institutions, Dehradun is recognised as the "Educational Center of Uttarakhand."

History of Dehradun

Dronacharya, the imperial guru of the Kauravas and Pandavas, was born in Dehradun, according to legend. Not only that, but when the Pandavas controlled Hastinapur, they had a significant impact on the city. Ram and his brother Laxman, on the other hand, are said to have arrived in Dehradun after defeating Ravana in the great fight. Relics like ancient temples and 2,000-year-old idols connect these epic legends to Dehradun.

Things to do at Dehradun

• Look for amusement at Robber’s Cave: At this adventurous area near Sahastradhara known as Gucchipani, experience the excitement of the legend "Ali Baba And The Forty Thieves." Venture for approximately a kilometre to get to this outlandish site, which draws out nature's beauty like no other, making it one of the greatest things to do in Dehradun. Take a seat and enjoy a dish of Maggi on your way back.
• Plunge in the healing waters: Sahastradhara means "thousand fold spring" in Sanskrit, and it's a fitting name considering the countless waterfalls and caverns that add to the splendour of this peaceful tourist attraction. A vacation to Dehradun isn't full without experiencing the cold, calming waters, which are reputed for their medicinal properties since the water falls from limestone stalactites, converting it into sulphur springs.
• Flap your wings and shoot for the skies: Ascend into the endless sky while taking in breathtaking sights of the valley. Helicopter views of the enchanted grandeur of Mussoorie, Chakrata, Tehri, and Rishikesh are extremely fascinating and should not be overlooked while planning a day trip to Dehradun. You can relish paragliding on your way from Dehradun to Mussoorie.
• Embark on a Jungle Safari: Rajaji National Park, nestled in the Shivaliks and Himalayas, gives the chance to encounter mother nature in all her beauty. This one-of-a-kind experience allows visitors to observe nature's splendour away from the rush and bustle of daily life, making it hard to leave Dehradun without experiencing it.
• Go on a hike at Nag Tibba: Dehradun is the starting point for a number of hiking paths, including Chhaskhet, Bhadraj Hill, and Nag Tibba. So step up to the challenge, grab a backpack and some hiking boots, and get ready for one of the city's most adrenaline rush activities.
• Browse the local market of Paltan Bazaar: If you are touring Uttarakhand's capital city and do not go to Paltan Bazaar, your journey would be meaningless. Paltan Bazaar is Dehradun's oldest bazaar, and shopping here is one of the city's most enjoyable activities. It has almost anything ready for its clients. From accessories to clothing, from home items to high-end stationery, you can find it all at this market.
• Camp under the blanket of stars: Camping at George Everest Park is one of the most well-known activities in Dehradun. There is no substitute for seeing a sky full of stars and a valley lit up at night, complete with a campfire. Combine it with tea, food, and a few excellent companions to round off the experience.
• Go bird watching in Assan Barrage: The picturesque Assan Barrage marks the confluence of the rivers Assan and Yamuna. It is generally known as 'Dhalipur Lake,' and it is a terrific place to see a variety of colourful birds chattering, playing, and hunting for prey in the water. Among the species found here are those that are internationally threatened.

Places to visit 

• Tapovan Temple: Tapovan Temple, also called Maha Rudreshwar Shiv Mandir, is one of Dehradun's most prominent religious sites. Visitors are met by a massive statue of Lord Shiva as they enter the temple. A Shivalinga sits in the temple's sanctum sanctorum, and stone statues of various other Hindu idols can be found throughout the temple.
• Malsi Deer Park: Malsi Deer Park is worth a tour because it is host to not just deer but also peacocks, rabbits,  nilgais, Himalayan antelopes, and even tigers. Uttarakhand has a lot to offer in terms of tourism, but the Dehradun Zoo is in a league of its own. The zoo now contains a distinct aviary section, which houses a diverse range of birds.
• Mindrolling Monastery: The greatest Buddhist study institution in India is Mindrolling monastery, also known as the Place of Ultimate Emancipation. It focuses on Buddhist texts, astronomy, authentic Tibetan medicine, the Tibetan lunar calendar, and calligraphy study. It is a Buddhist temple that stands at a height of 220-feet.
• Lacchiwalla: Lacchiwalla must be included in any list of the greatest places to see in Dehradun. Lacchiwalla is a favourite weekend escape, featuring charming cottages nestled among lush vegetation and a wooded area equipped with a trickling creek. The region has been developed into a natural water resort, and you may swim or go boating in the brook's waterways.
• Shikhar Falls: The Shikhar Falls, another renowned Dehradun attraction, is a picturesque site. A walk to Shikhar Falls is a must for anybody visiting the city, with wild vegetation, chirping birds' melody matching the falling waters, and butterflies soaring in a riot of colours.
• Tapkeshwar Temple: Tapkeshwar Temple, Uttarakhand's ancient Shiva temple, is one of the top sites to visit near Dehradun for visitors and believers alike. The reality that water spontaneously percolates down inside the cave and drips from the roof onto the Shiva Lingam makes this temple a renowned tourist attraction in Dehradun.
• Rupin Pass: The Rupin Pass, when it pertains to places to visit nearby Dehradun, is full of lovely surprises that will appear as you go along the route. There's also the Rupin River, a plethora of waterfalls, and a dense pine forest!
• Tibetan Market: Take an hour (or two) in the Tibetan market after you've finished sightseeing and hopping from one location to the next. The Tibetan community runs the shop, which sells handicrafts and Garhwali jewellery. These would make pretty keepsakes for your family and friends back home.

What is the best way to get here?

• Via Air: The Jolly Grant Airport, 20 kilometres from the city centre, is Dehradun's airport. Dehradun is served by Air India, Jet Airways, Jet Konnect, and Spice Jet on a regular basis. To get to the city, you may take a cab from the airport, which should take 40 to 45 minutes based on traffic.
• Via Bus: By Volvo, Semi-Deluxe, Deluxe, and Uttarakhand State Transport buses, Dehradun is well linked to most cities, including Delhi, Shimla, Haridwar, Rishikesh, Agra, and Mussoorie. The Dehradun Inter State Bus Terminal (ISBT) nearby Clement Town is where these buses enter and leave. Buses run every 15 minutes to an hour from this location. The Mussoorie Bus Station, which is situated at the Dehradun Railway Station and operates frequent bus services to Mussoorie and other neighbouring places, is another bus terminal in Dehradun.
• Via Train: Regular rail services link Dehradun to the cities of Delhi, Lucknow, Allahabad, Mumbai, Kolkata, Ujjain, Chennai, and Varanasi. The Dehradun Railway Station is 1-2 kilometres from the city centre and should require you no more than 10 minutes to reach, relying on traffic. Trains like the Shatabdi Express, Jan Shatabdi Express, Dehradun AC Express, Doon Express, Bandra Express, and Amritsar-Dehradun Express links Dehradun to the rest of the country.
• Via Road: Dehradun, a famous tourist destination, has a well-developed road network that allows for a pleasurable driving encounter. Dehradun is well accessible by road to places such as Delhi through the NH 58 and 72, which takes around 4 hours. Chandigarh is about a three-hour drive away at a distance of 167 kilometres. Dehradun is very well linked to towns such as Rishikesh and Haridwar.