Places to visit in Dehradun

Places to visit in Dehradun

After kick-starting my tour from the holy cities of Haridwar and Rishikesh, the next stop on the itinerary was Dehradun, the capital city of Uttarakhand. A city of large mansion like houses, the urban city within the holy state. We felt more like Mumbai or Delhi with the McDonald’s, KFC’s and Dominos, etc visible for the first time on this tour. The drive from Rishikesh to Dehradun was also very pleasant with rains giving us company all along. We passed by the Jolly Grant airport, the only airport in this region. We checked into the hotel and started looking for some options to explore the city.

Lord Hanuman statue @ Tapkeshwar temple

Sahastradhara

The first place we decided to check out early in the morning was Sahastradhara. Located on a hill top and accessible by a ropeway, it provides a panoramic view of the mountains. Ropeways in Uttarakhand had become very common for us during this trip. The ropeway cost Rs. 150 per person for a return trip. We reached the top within 5 minutes by the ropeway. The place was empty since we the very first ones to reach and in a way that was good. I like to visit places in off season and away from the maddening crowds. The entire fun of travel and tranquility is lost being surrounded by too may people.

Ropeway entrance @ Sahastradhara

View @ Sahastradhara

The entire area is well maintained with a landscape gardens, play area for kids, restaurant and game zone. There is a small Sai Baba temple also next to the restaurant. We started off by offering our prayers. We enjoyed the panoramic view of the mountains from the open terrace next to the restaurant. And since there was no one around, we got the chance to go crazy on the camera.

View @ Sahastradhara

Wishing Well @ Sahastradhara

Sai Baba temple @ Sahastradhara

Artificial waterfall @ Sahastradhara

Just as the restaurant opened, we ordered parathas and they were really tasty. By the time we were done, people had started trickling in so we decided to move on and descend down. We took the next ropeway and came down. Our driver was waiting for us.

Sahastradhara Ropeway

Tapkeshwar Temple

Next on the list was the Tapkeshwar temple which is very popular with the locals. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and the main shivaling is located inside a natural cave with a small stream of water continuous dripping onto the shivaling making it a must visit place. 

Entrance of Tapkeshwar temple

The temple within the natural cave is located between two mountains and close to a stream of water. This same stream is believed to be the source of the dripping water over the shivaling. 

Tapkeshwar temple

Shivaling inside Tapkeshwar temple

Lord Hanuman temple @ Tapkeshwar temple

Apart from the main Tapkeshwar temple there are many small temples built around the stream dedicated to many Hindu deities. There is a large statue of Lord Hanuman is visible right from the entrance. 

Tapkeshwar temple from Lord Hanuman idol

Mindrolling Buddha Temple

Next of the list was the Mindrolling monastery and the Buddha temple. The place has a calm and peaceful ambiance. There is a Buddha Temple in the same campus which is the first thing we see once we enter the main gate.  

Mindrolling Monastery

The Buddha temple paints a larger than life picture of grandeur. The temple looks beautiful in white with the colorful Buddhist flags running around it. There is a beautiful garden maintained around the temple where one can sit back and relax.  

Buddha Temple @ Mindrolling Monastery

Mindrolling Monastery

The garden also has a prayer wheel which is believed to spread positive energy when it is rolled. We took turns spinning the prayer wheel and the sounds of the bells ringing in sync with the movement of the wheel created a vibrating environment. 

Prayer wheel @ Buddha temple

The main temple is grand and inner lining of the temple dome is filled with countless statues of Lord Buddha. The temple ambiance was peaceful and relaxing.

Chortan & Buddha statue @ Mindrolling Monastery

Forest Reserve Institute

The Forest Reserve Institute hereon referred to as FRI, is a large campus close to the Indian Military Academy and houses many government buildings along with large landscape lawns and a large forest area. Since it is within the forest area there is a entry free of Rs. 20 per head along with Rs. 10 for each car and a Rs. 5 forest tax.

FRI Entrance

Building inside FRI

There is a large golf course named "Frima" within the FRI campus. The golf course is well maintained. 

Lawns @ FRI

Golf course inside FRI

Golf club inside FRI

Frima Crow

Malsi Deer Park

The Malsi Deer park is located on the Mussoorie end of Dehradun. The park mostly dedicated to deer has many other animals too. Though there aren't many animals, the park could be well maintained. There is a nominal entry fee and a good place to spend some time.

Malsi Deer Park

Entrance of Malsi Deer Park

@ Malsi Deer Park

Many more memoirs to share ...... Sachin