Dehradun

Dehradun is the state capital of Uttarakhand and sits in the Doon Valley between forested hills, with wide roads lined by sal trees connecting residential and commercial areas. Colonial-era government buildings stand alongside modern shopping centers, educational institutions and densely built residential neighborhoods with low houses and apartment blocks.

The settlement grew around a Sikh temple during the 18th century, drawing merchants and artisans from surrounding mountains and plains. British colonial officers later developed it as an administrative center, establishing military and forestry institutes across the area.

Local markets sell a mix of Garhwali dishes, Tibetan momos and north Indian cuisine, reflecting the various communities living across the city. In Paltan Bazaar and other busy neighborhoods, you hear Hindi, Garhwali and Punjabi spoken side by side as vendors and shoppers bargain and chat throughout the day.

The airport sits about 25 kilometers (15 miles) outside and connects through taxis or local buses, while trains arrive at the main railway station in the city center. The city remains accessible all year, though the monsoon season from July to September brings heavy rains that can make travel slower.

The city serves as a starting point for pilgrimages to four sacred Hindu sites in the mountains, which thousands of devotees cross each year. Several monasteries and Tibetan communities settled here after fleeing Tibet, making Buddhist prayer flags and stupas visible in certain neighborhoods.

Location: Dehradun district

Inception: 1676

Elevation above the sea: 435 m

Website: http://dehradun.nic.in

GPS coordinates: 30.32556,78.04368

Latest update: December 12, 2025 19:22