Dehradun

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  ?देहरादून
Dehradun
Uttarakhand • India
Map indicating the location of Dehradun
Thumbnail map of India with Uttarakhand highlighted
Location of Dehradun
Coordinates: 30°20′N 78°04′E / 30.33, 78.06
Time zone IST (UTC+5:30)
Area
• Elevation
• 635 m (2,083 ft)
District(s) Dehradun
Population 447,808 (2001)
Codes
• Pincode
• Telephone
• Vehicle
• 248001
• +0135
• UK 07
Website: http://dehradun.nic.in/

Coordinates: 30°20′N 78°04′E / 30.33, 78.06 Dehradun (help·info) (Hindi: देहरादून Dehrādūn; also spelled Dehra Doon), is the capital city of the state of Uttarakhand (earlier called Uttaranchal) in India, and the headquarters of Dehradun District.

It is located in the Doon valley, 230 kilometers north of India's capital New Delhi and the Delhi metropolitan area. The district is surrounded by the Himalayas in the north, Shivalik Hills in the south, the river Ganga in the east, and the river Yamuna in the west. The water divide of Ganga and Yamuna passes through the city.

It is also located on the northwestern side of the fertile Gangetic plains of India. Before the creation of Uttarakhand on November 9, 2000, Dehradun was a part of Uttar Pradesh. Neighbouring cities and towns include Haridwar, Rishikesh, Roorkee, Mussoorie and Saharanpur.

A product that has made Dehradun known within India is "Dehradooni basmati rice" and Lychee. Also, it has always been known as the home of Engineering Organizations viz. Survey of India and other research institutes Forest Research Institute (FRI), and educational institutions like, Rashtriya Indian Military College, Indian Military Academy (IMA) and The Doon School.

Contents

[edit] Etymology and History

Dehradun as a part of United Provinces, 1903.
Main article: History of Dehradun

Dera (or Dehra) is a camp, while Dun or Doon is a reference to a local term used for a river valley between a smaller range (Shivaliks) and the main Himalayas, and the present town of Dehradun was founded in the early eighteenth century by 'Ram Rai', the elder son of seventh Sikh Guru, Guru Har Rai, and the founder of the Udasi sect of Ascetics,[1] who came here in 1675, and first settled in village Dhamawala which even today hosts the annual 'Jhanda Fair' on the fifth day after Holi in his memory.[2] Thus the name refers to his Dera or settlement in the valley,[3] and marking this settlement is a Gurudwara called 'Ram Rai Darbar', built in 1699,[4] and modelled on the tomb of Mughal Emperor Jehangir.[5]

In Skanda Purana, Dun is mentioned as a part of the region called 'Kedar Khand', the abode of Shiva. Another belief states that Drona, the great teacher of Kauravas and Pandavas lived here, for a brief period hence the name, "Drona-nagri".[6] niit

[edit] Geography and Climate

Climate chart for Dehradun
J F M A M J J A S O N D
 
 
47
 
19
3
 
 
55
 
22
5
 
 
52
 
26
9
 
 
21
 
32
13
 
 
54
 
35
17
 
 
230
 
34
20
 
 
631
 
30
22
 
 
627
 
30
22
 
 
261
 
30
20
 
 
32
 
28
13
 
 
11
 
24
7
 
 
3
 
21
4
temperatures in °C
precipitation totals in mm
source: Climate of Dehradun District

Dehradun has a sub-tropical climate with cool winters, warm and crisp springs, hot summers and a strong monsoon. The mountains around Dehradun receive sustained snowfall in winter, and the city suffers from clod waves in the winter[7] April to June are the summer months, with highs averaging around 33oC (93oF). The monsoon starts in late June and ends in September often with weeks of torrential rainfall, this season should generally be avoided by visitors. Autumn starts in late September and goes on till November, with average temperatures around 16oC (60oF). Winter lasts from December to February, with average lows near 4oC (38oF), followed by spring which lasts from late February to early March.

[edit] Culture

The posh city of Dehradun is bustling. It is the state capital and is also the home of many government institutions. The center of city's activities is the popular landmark known as the Clock-Tower (Ghanta-ghar), which is a tall structures with 5 functioning clocks; . The numerous high schools of the city attract students from all over the country. During the day it is common to see students (dressed in various high-school uniforms) to be moving around the city. Even though city transportation is now taken care of by blue striped city buses crisscrossing the city, another popular site are the omnipresent blue three wheel vehicles (known as "Vikrams"). These vehicles provide the most common and cheapest form of public transport, however, these vehicles have also been cited as the chief cause of increased levels of noise and air pollution in the city.

[edit] Education

The city is renowned for education and is home to over 300 high schools. Some of the schools include, old Irish Christian Missionary schools as old as 100 years old. Schools which are widely acclaimed include The Doon School, RIMC or Rashtriya Indian Military College and National Institute for Visually Handicapped. The city also houses some of the most top notch science research centers. That includes Indian Forest Reserve Institute, Survey Of India, DRDO, DEAL, IRDE, IIP, IIRS & ONGC.

[edit] Economy

The city has witnessed tremendous growth in the last 20 years. Because of its educational background and high international remittances, Dehradun enjoys a high per capita income, which in dollar terms hovers close to $1800 (national average $800). The city's transition into a large urban centre has been nothing less than phenomenal. Dehradun is in a middle of a commercial & IT boom, which is amplified by the establishment of Software Technology Parks of India (STPI)[8] and various SEZ (special economic zones)through out the city. Right from IT Parks to specifically built industrial belts have proved to be a heaven for industrialists of national and international repute. Combined with excise benefits companies are finding prospective establishment in the city (like other parts of Uttranchal) very attractive. With the construction of Delhi-Dehradun four lane highway now in full swing, the primary bottle neck endangering the city's growth (the Delhi-Dehradun two lane highway) has been solved. More economic development is expected on a much wider scale.

[edit] Government institutes and Reputed companies

The city is the headquarters/home of many government institutes and organizations:

Forest Research Institute

[edit] Tourism

Nearby locations are:

  • Gularghati
  • Budha Temple & Park Clementown
  • Maldevta
  • Malsi Deer Park,
  • Dat Kali Mata Mandir
  • Sahastradhara,
  • Tapkeshwar Shiv Temple,
  • Laxman Sidh Temple,
  • Robber's Cave,
  • Lachhiwala,
  • Santhla Devi etc. surround this beautiful city,

Nearby locations are the hill stations of Mussoorie Landour just 36 km away. There is a 16 km (easy) trekking route from Dehradun to Mussoorie. Dhanaulti is a lovely hill station beyond Mussoorie Chakrata is another nearby hill station, but it is a good 80 km away. Paonta Sahib is a pilgrimage place for Sikhs with a historic Gurudwara on the banks of the Yamuna. Other nearby religious places are Haridwar and Rishikesh.

[edit] Pictures

Dehradun, India

Dehradun night view from Mussoorie.

Forest Research Institute, Dehradun, distant view.

The re-established Mindroling Monastery in Clement Town.

The Buddha Stupa in Clement Town.

A view of Dehradun, clouds howering over the city, as viewed from Mussoorie.

Aerial view of Sahastradhara.

A Fun 'cum' rest spot near Sahastradhara, connected through cable cars.

One of the several 'dharas' of Sahastradhara.


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