Best Landmarks in Dehradun

Constructed in the year 1906 by architect C.G Blomfield in the Graeco-Roman style of architecture, the Forest Research Institute in Dehradun is one of the popular tourist attractions due to its notable architecture. The Institute is a part of the Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education and houses the Indira Gandhi National Forest Academy. It was internationally recognized when the structure was listed in the Guinness Book of Records for being the largest brick structure. It houses several museums like the Pathology Museum, Silviculture Museum and many more which are open daily.

Credited to a group of monks and Khochhen Rinpoche, Mindrolling Monastery is an important Buddhist monastery belonging to the Nyingma school of Buddhism. Found within the premises of the monastery is the Ngagyur Nyingma College, which is recognized as one of India's largest Buddhist institutes. One of the monastery's notable features is a 57 meters (190 feet) tall Stupa that was inaugurated to the people in the year 2002.

Dating back to 1965, the Buddha Temple is a prominent religious structure that can found close to the Mindrolling Monastery. Created under the Nyingma school of Buddhism, the temple serves as a replica of the monastery from Tibet. Amongst the notable features here is the paintings depicting Buddha's life and the Stupa which that resemble the Japanese architectural style even though the designer was Indian.

A Renowned shrine built to honor Lord Shiva, the temple's importance comes from a natural Shiva Linga housed inside a nearby cave. The water from the ceiling drops down on the Shiva Linga bellow which is a sight to behold for the worshippers. Moreover, the cave is also referred to as Drona Cave as legend has it, Dronacharya from Mahabharata resided here for some time.

Located close to the Thousand Fold Spring i.e. Sahasradhara, the Robber's Cave or Guchhupani as it is referred to as is a natural formation and a river cave found about 8 kilometers (4 miles) away from Dehradun. This cave is 600 meters (1968 feet) long and a 10 meters (32 feet) tall waterfall can be found here. Thanks to the aforementioned features, the management of the site maintained by the Uttarakhand State and is one of Dehradun's popular attractions.

Established in 1983, Rajaji National Park was formed by the merger of three sanctuaries namely Rajaji, Chilla and Motichur. The park was renamed in honor of Bharat Ratna awardee C. Rajagopalachari who was referred to as Rajaji. Uttarakhand's second tiger reserve, the park serves as home to several animals like the Asian elephant, sloth bear, jackal, King cobra, leopard, python, Indian langur, wild boar, Bengal tiger and many more.

Found on the banks of a tributary of River Song, Lachhiwala consists of man-made water pools and forest. Also found here are several forest houses, that also double up both as tourist and administrative centers. Thanks to the aforementioned features, approximately 250,000 people pay a visit to Lachhiwala.

A popular tourist destination, Sahasradhara when translated means a 'thousand fold spring'. A work of natural beauty, the water here comes down from the limestone stalactites. Because of that, the water here has a large amount of sulfur, making it a popular tourist attraction thanks to its sulfur springs.

Initially known as Malsi Deer Park, the place was renamed Dehradun Zoo in 2015. The CZA recognized this site as a mini-zoo thanks to the management which is done in an environmentally sustainable way. Some of the notable features here include an aquarium, birdhouse, a rescue center and also an education center.

Located close to the revered River Ganga, Tapovan Temple is an old shrine that also functions as an ashram. Surrounded by lush greenery, the temple's rituals attract both tourists and residents of Dehradun who visit the shrine to marvel at the picturesque landscape and also worship the deities.