Naive Traveler - Dehradun Trip

Naive Traveler - Dehradun Trip

Clock Tower, Dehradun

I and two of my friends planned Dehradun Trip on Eid holiday i.e 13th and 14th September 2016. Since 13th was the Eid day we booked a train (Dehradun Janshatabdi Express) which runs in evening. We reached the railway station by metro,the train was on schedule time we boarded it and reached Dehradun at around 10 in the night. Our hotel was already booked online so we searched for it and checked in without wasting anytime. 

Hotel Abhinandan Grand was at a walking distance from railway station. We checked in there at 10:20 but to our surprise there Kitchen was closed that early. Kitchen was closed at next day also at around 4 PM when we demanded tea and something to eat. Hotel was good for budget travelers but the Manager was rude in dealing with us when some confusion arises. Anyways let's concentrate on the journey and remember to avoid that hotel if you travels to Dehradun. More better and cheaper hotel are available near railway station.

Sahastra Dhara

We leave the bed at 7 AM; had our breakfast outside the hotel and looked for taxis or autos to travel around the city. After some inquiry from many auto and taxi drivers we finalize an auto after bargaining at Rs 1200 for all main six attractions of Dehradun. We first reached Sahastra Dhara.

Sahastra Dhara is believed to be the place where Guru Dronacharaya from Mahabharata meditated. The fresh water there is flowing noisily amid the big rocks; it's a beautiful picturesque location which gives calmness to your senses. Since we reached early we didn't find much people there which enhanced our experience of enjoying this place. We clicked many pictures there and roamed area around which is mushroomed with eateries, places which give lockers for rent along with swimming clothes if you wish to go in the water. 

Sai Baba Temple

Budhdha Temple

The next stop was Sai Baba Temple and Budhdha Temple which were adjacent to each other. The atmosphere there was spiritual. Prayers were going on in Budhdha Temple so they didn't allow us inside it, though we had a sneak peek at the proceedings inside. We spent some time there and then leaved for our next destination Malsi Deer Park or Dehradun Zoo.

Malsi Deer Farm

Leopard

Malsi Deer Park right now is under construction an except from greenery there was not much to see. Different species of birds, two leopards and some couples sitting here and there were the things we saw in that Zoo. Looking at its rate of construction after few months many animals could be seen at that place along with some adventure activities and fun zone for kids. At this visit we didn't see deer at the deer park!

Robber's Cave or Gucchu Pani

The next stop was Robber's Cave or Gucchu Pani. Robber's Cave was name given to this place by British Police because robber's used to hide in that place and usually escape from there easily. Natural cave is formed between two hills where water is flowing at a force from a water fall inside the cave area. The clear water is usually polluted by wrappers of chips, noodles and other things by the people who visited there or by the shops opened around the place. Do carry extra clothes if you wish to go inside the cave as the water in the middle is up to the waist height. We enjoyed in the water, drank eat and then moved on to our next destination. 

Tapkeshwar Mander got its name from the dripping water from the mountain walls of the temple over 'Shivling'. People believed that Shivling occurred naturally there. In its complex there are idols of many gods. A huge Hanuman Statue was also situated and there was also a Vaishno Devi cave. The area around is filled with trees, a fresh water stream is also flowing there. You are not allowed to open and devote the packed worship material to the gods. I think these materials returned back to the seller outside the temple. Why people like to insert business in faith?

Forest Research Institute

Corridor of the building

Our last destination was Forest Research Institute (F.R.I). It is in the military area well maintained having green tree covering the whole surroundings. The building and the location gives you the feel that you have reached some foreign destination. It has four museums about different things related to the forests displaying things about trees, their uses; need to save them and things like that. It has a canteen which offers food at reasonable price. After visiting all the places we returned book to the hotel, changed our clothes and then went outside to pass our time in Paltan Bazaar of Dehradun which is a crowded market that leads you to the city Clock Tower. We returned back by Nanda Devi Express which ran from there at 11.30. It reached Delhi at 5.30 in the morning. 

If we would have one day more we can travel to Mussoori also which is famous for its waterfalls and adventure activities.

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