Uttarakhand’s capital is no stranger to admiration, owing to its abundant plots of forests outlining
THINGS TO SEE AND DO
Forest Research Institute and Chetwode Building
A drive up the Chakrata Road will lead you to two other major institutions Dehradun is proud of – the Indian Military Academy (IMA) and the Forest Research Institute (FRI). The FRI, established in 1906, is an impressive building with Greco-Roman architecture. It has museums dealing with pathology, social forestry, timber, non-wood forest products and entomology. Expect to be enthralled by some peculiar exhibits, from different kinds of forest fungi and stages of decay, to a transverse section dedicated to a 704-year-old Deodar tree, which was felled in 1919.
Museum entry ₹25 Timings 9.00am–5.30pm Tel 0135-27522925, 2755277
The IMA holds the same prestige, by virtue of its military academic excellence as well as the magnificent Chetwode Building, the most famous in the complex. It was established in 1932 and has one of the most fascinating military museums.
Entry with prior permission only
Mindrolling Monastery
One of the major contributions of Dehradun’s thriving Tibetan community is the Og Min Ogyen Mindrolling Monastery, located in Clement Town, which boasts a height of 185ft and is 100sq ft in width. Apart from the gargantuan stupa, considered one of the largest in the world at 60m, the monastery also features some of the most intricate Tibetan Buddhist murals in the main shrine room, which also houses a 35-m-high golden statue of Buddha. Explore the main building or stroll around the lawns.
Timings 9.00am–12.00pm; 2.30pm–6.30pm Closed Mondays Tel 2640556
Robber’s Cave
Located around 8km from central Dehradun, Robber’s Cave, also known by the area name Gucchupani, is a narrow cleft between steep, rocky walls through which flows an underground stream. It is an immensely popular pic-nic spot with visitors and locals alike.
Visitors are encouraged to enter the cave and adventurous souls can climb up the rocky terrain that starts where the water ends.
WHERE TO STAY AND EAT
Hotel Madhuban (Tel: 0135-2740066/ 77; Tariff ₹5,400–12,000) on Rajpur Road is a 4-star hotel. Lemon Tree (Tel: 2737777; Tariff ₹7,000–12,000) has the usual amenties. Another option is Hotel Aketa (Tel: 2743514, 2744302; Tariff ₹5,355–9,355). Hotel Madhuban’s Angithi is popular for its Mughlai food. The famous Chaat Wali Gali is a small corner with about four-five chaat vendors.
THE INFORMATION
When to go A year round destination; it does get quite hot in summer and a tad muggy during the monsoons
Tourist Office
GMVNL, 74/1 Rajpur Road, Dehradun, Tel 0135-2746817/ 9308, 2748478, W gmvnl.com, STD code 0135
GETTING THERE
Air Nearest airport: Jolly Grant (24km/ 45mins). Taxi to town is approx ₹1,500
Rail Nearest railhead: Dehradun Station
Road Well-connected by NH58 and 72A Bus Overnighter from ISBT Kashmere Gate starting from 5.00am and 12.00am
Dehradun
Unmissable India
Uttarakhand
