Top 10 Places to Visit in Dehradun

You may have often heard of the expression, ‘dream destination.’ It is probably inspired by the scenic and natural beauty of Dehradun. Situated in the Doon valley and at the foothills of the Himalayas, the capital city of Uttarakhand state, Dehradun is a popular tourist destination in India.

Known as Dehra during the colonial era, the city attracts all kinds of travellers from all over the world. Solo travellers, families, couples, adventure seekers, honeymooners, everyone come here to revel in the city’s various scenic delights, explore the various attractions and indulge in an endless array of activities.

If Dehradun has been on your list of must visit places in India, we have put together the top ten places you must visit in Dehradun that would make your visit a memorable one.

Malsi Deer Park

One of the most visited wildlife centres in Dehradun, the Malsi Deer Park in Dehradun is a mini zoological park and a favourite picnic spot among the locals. If you travel to Dehradun with your family and kids, you should visit the park. Here you can enjoy seeing a few different species of Deers roaming freely within the natural habitat and displaying their friendly nature.

If you are lucky, you can see a few fawns being playful with their mother; it’s a cynosure to the eyes. It is a great way to educate your child about beautiful creatures. Also, the park is home to several bird species, and you can hear their sweet calls throughout as you chill or take a stroll.

Robber’s Cave

While you are in Dehradun, if you are in the mood to explore a few offbeat places near the city, a 20-minute drive will take you to one of the many wonders of nature in the region, Robber’s Cave. Located about 8 km away from Dehradun city, it is a naturally formed cave that measures approximately 600 M in length.

The most astonishing thing about this cave is that a river passes through the cave that vanishes under the ground and then reappears a few yards ahead, leaving the tourists intrigued and mesmerised at the same.

The pristine water, the tranquil environment around it, and the enchanting beauty surrounding the cave make it the best places to visit near Dehradun.

Shikhar Falls

You may have seen many waterfalls, but you may not have seen anything like Shikhar Falls. Tucked away in a quaint corner of Dehradun, the falls is shrouded by woodlands and mountainous terrain. To reach the main waterfall, you may have to take a short but a little strenuous hike, but once you reach the top, the mind-blowing view and the cool and refreshing breeze will more than make up for the few drops of sweat you shed.

The best time to visit the falls is between October and June when there is plenty of greenery around. En route your trek, you can spot several exotic species of birds, and their sweet chirping will keep your spirits up.

Kalsi

A small hamlet on the outskirts of Dehradun, at the confluence of River Yamuna and River Tons, Kalsi regularly features on the Dehradun famous places list. It is known for its serene environment and is the best place to visit to get the awe-inspiring views of the Himalayas. One of the most popular attractions of the village is the Ashokan Rock Edict, which dates to 253 BC.

Apart from ancient edicts, Kalsi is famous for its beautiful water streams, picnic spots, and colonial architecture. You can indulge in activities like canoeing, water skiing, sailing, and camping along the river. You can also go fishing. However, you must get a permit from the local village authorities.

Lachhiwala

Lachhiwala is a popular nature park in Dehradun. It is lined with tall Sal trees on both sides and a shimmering Susma River flowing through the nature park. Many tourists and locals come to the park for a weekend picnic, and it is a popular attraction amongst nature lovers.

If you love bird watching, this place is a paradise for you. Many species of birds call Lachhiwala Nature Park their home; you can hire a local guide to educate yourself about these birds and the various places where you can find them.

Buddha Temple

Known for its Japanese-style architecture and serene ambience, the Buddha Temple is one of the most popular Dehradun tourist places. It is one of the best places to learn about the life of Lord Buddha and his teachings in the form of murals and paintings.

The temple boasts a 220-feet high stupa and 130-feet Buddha statue and is dedicated to promoting the Buddhism principles and way of living around the world. Inside the temple, you can find exquisite paintings and beautiful effigies and a library replete with books and journals related to Buddhism.

The temple has five floors, and the fourth floor opens only on Sunday for the public, and it has an open-air observation platform that gives 360 degrees view of the gorgeous Dehradun valley.

Tapkeshwar Temple

Located just about six kilometres from the Dehradun city centre, the Tapkeshwar temple is one of the most visited temples in Dehradun. Lord Shiva is the presiding deity here, and the prominent feature of this temple is that the main Shivalinga is hidden inside a cave.

While the temple attracts devotees every day, thousands of pilgrims from all over India visit the temple during Shivratri to offer their prayers. There are cool sulphur-water springs near the temple, and many devotees take a dip in these springs before entering the temple. It is one of the best places to visit in Dehradun to explore your spiritual side.

Clock Tower

One of the most iconic monuments in Dehradun, the Clock Tower, is also known as the Ghanta Ghar. Built during the colonial era as a sign of respect and commemoration of the hard-earned Independence, it was initially known as the ‘Balbir Tower.’

The tower’s foundation stone was laid by the Nightingale of India and the then Governor of Uttar Pradesh, Sarojini Naidu, and it holds the names of several freedom fighters engraved on a gold plate. The tower, which finds its reference in many of Ruskin Bond’s books and his tales about Dehradun, today stands in one of the busiest streets of Dehradun and attracts many tourists all through the year.

Mindrolling Monastery

The Mindrolling Monastery is among the six major monasteries of Tibet's Nyingma School and is one of the best places to visit in Dehradun. Initially constructed in 1676 by Rigzin Terdak Lingpa, the monastery was re-established by Khochhen Rinpoche in 1965. Apart from its spiritual and religious importance, the monastery is also known for its architectural brilliance.

The inside of the Monastery features paintings and murals depicting the life of Buddha and the teachings of Buddhism. Built according to the Japanese style, the monastery has five floors, and you get 360 degrees view of the Dehradun Valley from the fourth floor.

Paltan Bazar

One of the busiest places in Dehradun, the Paltan Bazar, is located near the Clock Tower. If you are visiting Dehradun, you should visit this Bazar to pick up some local specialties like handicrafts, footwear, artworks, woollen clothes, brassware, and endless varieties of delectable snacks. The place is also known for selling the fragrant Basmati rice, which is rated among the best quality rice available in India.

A trip to Dehradun itself will give you countless amazing experiences that you can cherish for the rest of your life. But, if you have time on your hands, you can explore the nearby places and cities like Mussoorie, the ‘Queen of Hills,’ which is about 33 kilometres away and holds a wide range of natural beauty within it. You can make your trip to Uttarakhand even better by booking your holiday at the Club Mahindra Mussoorie resort in the Mussoorie city.