These local links bring together the most useful Dehradun resources in one place, from sightseeing and food to land, stays and services.
Local Links – Dehradun: The Finest City
Dehradun is renowned for its welcoming ambiance, the aromatic Basmati rice grown in its fertile lands, and its association with prestigious national institutions such as the IMA, the LBS Academy, ONGC and the Survey of India.
Visitors who have experienced Dehradun find it etched in their memories for decades. Many return when they are older, seeking to purchase land and settle here with their families. This tradition has continued for generations. With the emergence of new educational institutions on the city’s outskirts, young families are now also moving to Dehradun. The city has become an educational hub of India, a capital where progress, peace and tranquillity thrive.
Getting to Know Dehradun
Dehradun sits in the Doon Valley between the Shivalik hills and the lower Himalayas, with the Ganga flowing on one side and the Yamuna on the other. It is the capital of Uttarakhand and the base for most journeys into the Garhwal Himalayas.
- By air: Jolly Grant Airport is about 25 km from the city, between Dehradun and Rishikesh.
- By train: Dehradun railway station has direct trains from Delhi and other major cities.
- By road: Regular buses and taxis connect Dehradun with Delhi, Chandigarh, Haridwar and the hill towns.
- Best time to visit: March to June and September to November are pleasant. Winters are cool and clear, and the monsoon turns the whole valley green.
A City of Great Institutions
Few cities of its size have as many national institutions as Dehradun. The Indian Military Academy trains officers for the Indian Army, the Forest Research Institute is one of the oldest forestry institutes in Asia, and the Survey of India has mapped the country from here for well over a century. ONGC and the Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology are also based in the city, along with famous boarding schools such as The Doon School. This gives Dehradun its educated, cosmopolitan character and a steady flow of families, students and professionals.
Places to Visit in and Around Dehradun
- Forest Research Institute (FRI): A grand colonial-era campus with museums and beautiful lawns.
- Sahastradhara: Known for its sulphur springs and small caves, popular on weekends.
- Robber’s Cave (Guchhupani): A narrow river gorge where you can walk through cool, flowing water.
- Mussoorie: The Queen of Hills, just above the city. Read about our January snow trip to Mussoorie.
- Rishikesh and Haridwar: Holy cities on the Ganga, an easy day trip from Dehradun.
- Kalsi and Vikasnagar: Home to Emperor Ashoka’s rock edict and the gateway to the Jaunsar-Bawar region and Chakrata.
- Pilgrimages: Dehradun is the starting point for the Char Dham Yatra, the Kartik Swami Temple trek and our road trip to the Paithani Rahu Temple.
Food and Shopping: Dehradun Basmati and Organic Produce
Dehradun Basmati, once considered a luxury beyond the reach of middle-class families due to limited cultivation and high prices, is now made accessible by Double Good Organics, an e-commerce company. Double Good offers both the traditional aromatic Dehradun Basmati and the premium unpolished Indra Dev Basmati. The natural fragrance of these varieties surpasses that of Punjab Basmati by a wide margin.
Apart from basmati, the hills around Dehradun produce millets, red rice, pulses, honey and spices. Read our guide to buying organic groceries online and why you should replace rice with millets. Have a question before you order? Chat with Surya, the full help chat on doublegood.in, in English, Hindi or Hinglish for product advice, prices, shipping charges to your pincode and bulk order quotes. For shopping in person, Paltan Bazaar near the Clock Tower is the city’s busiest market.
Living and Buying Land in Dehradun
The city has always attracted intellectuals and like-minded people from around the world, living up to its reputation. However, as times change and urban landscapes give way to high-rise apartments and infrastructure development, the serenity within the city centre is gradually diminishing. The once enchanting litchi orchards have made way for progress.
Hill Plots, known for their reliability and trustworthiness, now promote and sell land primarily on the outskirts, particularly in the Vikasnagar belt. They are setting a trend for future land developers in the area, offering budget and ideal agricultural plots with growth potential and long-term value in the growing Bhauwala area, with no brokerage and no commission. Before you buy, read our guide to real estate in Dehradun, which includes a checklist of documents to verify.
Where to Stay: Naro Eco Resort on the Char Dham Route
During the Char Dham Yatra, Naro Eco Resort, renowned for destination weddings and peaceful getaways, caters to pilgrims travelling to the Yamunotri and Gangotri dhams. Located on the highway near Vikasnagar, the resort offers a picturesque setting for families, couples and pilgrims who want a calm break on the way to the mountains. It has comfortable double and family rooms, the pure-vegetarian Naro Restaurant, open lawns for weddings and functions, and a new swimming pool. The resort is couple friendly.
The resort website has Naro Surya, a full AI help chat and local tourist guide. Ask it about rooms, booking, functions and weddings, check-in times, nearby temples and sightseeing, or the best route to Yamunotri. Naro Surya answers in English, Hindi and Hinglish, and you can even speak your question. Planning a celebration? See why it is an events paradise near Dehradun.
Stock Market Tools from Dehradun: 11Creations
11Creations is a Dehradun-based team of developers and stock-trading guides. Their free NIFTYBEES pre-market app helps investors follow the NIFTYBEES ETF before the market opens and look at its past returns, so they can plan their day with better information.
Tips for First-Time Visitors
- Carry a light jacket even in summer if you plan to go up to Mussoorie or Chakrata.
- Avoid hill roads during heavy monsoon rain and always check road conditions before travelling.
- Try local Garhwali food such as mandua roti, jhangora kheer and chainsoo.
- Respect the mountains: carry your waste back with you and do not use plastic on treks.
Dehradun rewards those who slow down and explore it properly. Whether you come for a weekend, a pilgrimage or to settle down for life, we hope these local links help you discover the best of the Doon Valley.
Local Links: Quick Reference
- Organic groceries and basmati: Double Good Organics
- Stay on the Char Dham route: Naro Eco Resort
- Tourism information: Uttarakhand Tourism
- Pilgrimage guide: Chardham Yatra
Local Links: FAQs
What are these local links for?
They are a quick guide to trusted Dehradun services and information for visitors and residents.
How often are the local links updated?
We review them regularly and add new useful resources as Dehradun grows.