When I visited Dehradun the most popular sites I heard of the best places to visit in Dehradun were Robbers Cave and the Ghanta Ghar. But that is not the end of the list. Indeed there are many sites which are actually more beautiful and less known that the famous ones. Dehradun is one of the best places to visit in Uttarakhand and thousands of tourists visit every year.
How to visit Dehradun
Good transportation is a plus point for Dehradun. It is well connected by train, airways and roadways. The nearest airport is Jolly grant airport which is approx 25kms away from the city. The nearest Railway station is Dehradun Railway station which is within driving range and is easily accessible by E-Rickshaw.
The budget-effective way of travelling within the city is a 12 seater auto which is as cheap as a bus and gives a decent ride. If you have never visited Uttarakhand before or have no/less idea about it then Uttarakhand Trip Guide is for you only.
Robbers Cave: -The best place to visit in Dehradun declared by tourists
Robbers cave is a natural cave which is locally known as Guchhu Pani. People who visited here rank it as one of the best places to visit in Dehradun. One has to take a cab or Auto to Robbers cave to reach the main entrance of it. Although one can walk from the main gate to the cave which is almost 1-1.5 km from the main gate. But for some people, it might be difficult to walk all the way. In case you want, there are autos available at the entrance and can be hired for the visit.
Best time to visit Robbers cave
Avoid bright summer to plan your visit to Robbers Cave as one has to walk a good distance but one also should not go in the rainy season as there is water at knee level mostly so it may raise in the rainy seasons.
Carry Sleepers and shorts while visiting Robbers Cave
There is knee level or somewhere more water inside the cave so if one really wants to enjoy their trip, carrying slippers and shorts along with or will need to rent it at the location which costs 10rs/sleeper and 50rs/shorts. The passage between huge rocks where water flows constantly generates an amazing view.
Amenities at Robbers Cave
There are snacks and drinks shops available at the cave’s main gate. Pay and use washrooms are available at the entry gate. At the entry point, one will have to purchase the tickets for Robbers Cave.
Tapkeshwar Mahadev – Best site to visit as per my experience
It is a very revered temple in Dehradun which is mainly a Shiva Temple. However, there are other temples as well which are insanely beautiful and extraordinary and unique in nature.
The main Shivling is inside a natural cave. From the roof of the cave, water drips constantly on the Shivling. This is very much satisfying and one cannot imagine how fabulous it looks and it feels heavenly inside the cave.
There are a few other deities as well inside the cave and one has to bend down a little to enter the cave as you go far, will have to bend your knees more so elderly people may not go so far but the good thing is that the main Shivling is in the beginning only and one can easily go till there.
How to reach Tapkeshwar Mahadev Temple
Tapkeshwar temple is about 6kms from the city and is located in Tapkeshwar Colony, Dehradun. There are autos/E-Rickshaw available within the city so transportation is really easy.
Vaishno Devi Mandir at Tapkeshwar Mahadev
Amazed? Yes, there is another Vaishno Devi Mandir in India and that is in Dehradun at Tapkeshwar Temple and it is said that the cave there is completely natural. One has to literally crawl through the cave to reach the centre of it where Goddesses are in the form of “PIND” and there is no visual difference from the original Vaishno Devi Mandir.
Paltan Bazaar
One of the busiest areas in Dehradun is Paltan Bazaar. It is the local market in Dehradun near Ghanta Ghar. Paltan Bazaar is in old Dehradun and is very busy and engaging. If you are in Dehradun and want to experience the locality in its raw form then Paltan bazaar will be the best place for it.
This place is also good for shopping for daily use items or even clothes, toys, veggies, sweets, ornaments, decorative items and whatnot. Not only the usual ones but locally made items are also available in this market.
Ghanta Ghar, Dehradun
Ghanta Ghar is located in the Heart of Dehradun near Paltan Bazaar and is a very beautiful building and hexagonal in nature. Lal Bahadur Shastri ji inaugurated the Clock Tower in 1953. The tower showcases the names of freedom fighters which are engraved on it. The tower was built in the middle of the road crossing which is surrounded mainly by commercial buildings like shops and malls.
Tour packages for Dehradun
Uttarakhand government offers a range of packages to tourists. One of them which I like is Dehradun to Lakhmandal trip. Read more… in case you are interested.