Situated in the
Doon valley, at the foothills of
Himalayas, Dehradun is the provisional capital of
Uttaranchal State and is one of the oldest cities of India. It is one of the most beautiful resorts in the sub mountain tracks of India. The city derived its name from 'dera' meaning camp and 'dun' meaning valley. The region has a cool climate. Garhwali,
Hindi, and English are the major languages spoken.
According to a legend, Lord Ram and Lakshman did penance here for killing Ravana. During the 16th and 17th century, the region had been under the reign of Guru Ram Rai, the
Mughals, and the Garhwal rulers until the British took over in 1815. Dehradun became an elite town under the British rule and is home to many institutions like Forest Research Institute, Doon and Welham Schools, Indian Military Academy, ONGC, and Survey of India.
Dehradun is a favored tourist destination, as it attracts tourists, pilgrims and enthusiasts from various walks of life to its serene environs. The city is also noted for Basmati rice, tea and leechi gardens.
The temple (1699) of Ram Rai, founder of the Hindu Udasi sect of ascetics, is the city's most notable historical building. Other places of tourist interest include the Tapkeshwar Mahadev Temple, Sahasradhara, the sulphur springs (14 km), Robbers Cave (8 km), Dakpathar Barrage, Tapovan (a place where Guru Drona did penance), Kalanga Monument for Gorkha Gen Balbhadra Thapa and the Ashoka Edict at Kalsi. The hill resort of Mussoorie and Malsi Deer Park are nearby.
Jolly Grant Airport is the nearest airport( 24 km). Dehradun Railway Station is a major railhead in Uttaranchal and connects {}New Delhi, Sawai Madhopur, Uttarkashi, Puri and Ambala with Dehradun. There are regular buses plying to Chandigarh (175 km), Mussoorie (36 km), Meerut and
New Delhi.
