Lying at the foothills of the majestic snow-capped Shivalik range, amidst verdant and plush sal forests, the quaint hill station of Dehradun, in Uttarakhand, is that the heart of the Garhwal region. Cut by two perennial rivers, Dehradun may be a favourite with travellers trying to find a serene natural retreat and also offers a good array of terrains to trek through and enjoys activities like hiking , paragliding, skiing, river rafting, angling and cycling, among others.
Located within the scenic Doon Valley, Dehradun may be a great launchpad for exploring destinations like Mussoorie, within the Garhwal region. the town derives its name from the conjunction of two colloquial words, ‘dera’ meaning camp, and ‘doon’, a regard to the river valley.
Home to variety of spiritual sites set against the stunning backdrop of the mountains, Dehradun is believed to be one among the oldest cities within the country. Legend has it that Lord Rama, along side his brother, Lakshmana, performed penance here for killing Ravana.
The British occupation of Dehradun in 1815 left an enduring impact on the town , which is visible in its various colonial buildings, even today.