Dehradun, the city, headquarters of the district is visited by a large number of tourist every year, many of them en-route to Mussoorie. The climate of the city is temperate. Even during summer, it is not so warm at Dehra Dun as in the district south of it. The Forest Research Institute, which is world famous for its research work in forestry and is the only institution of its kind in Asia is situated here. Besides, headquarters of the important establishment like the Oil and Natural Commission; Survey of India etc., the Military Academy are also located here.
Tapkeshawar Temple - Tapkeshwar Shiv Temple is an ancient place of worship and is situated on the banks of a rivulet, in the Garhi Cantt. Area, 5.5 Kms from the city bus stand, the temple is well connected by road. It is named Tapkeshwar as water droplets, originating from a rock, fall on the Shivling placed in the shrine. People in large numbers participate in the fair organized on the occasion of Shivratri and pay their obeisance to the deity.
Sahastradhara - Sahasratra Dhara, laterally meaning, the 'thousand fold spring' is situated at a distance of 11 kms. from Dehra Dun. The place makes an ideal picnic spot and is of immense attraction to visitors. The Baldi River and the caves provide a breathtaking view. The water here has a fall of about 9 metres and leaves an incrustation of lime on all its touches. Particles thus accumulating over the centuries have formed a projecting ledge, and a sort of cave, from the roof of which falls a perpetual shower. There is also a sulphur spring in which visitors often take bath. Its water is said to cure skin infections and possess other medicinal properties.
Laxman Siddh - 12 Kms. Away from Dehradun towards Hardwar/Rishikesh is a famous temple known as the Laxman Siddh. Legend has it that a sage underwent penance over here. Due to easy accessibility the temple is visited by a large number of people especially on Sundays.
Malsi Deer Park - 10 Kms. From Dehradun, enroute Mussoorie is situated a beautifully developed tourist spot lying at the foot hills of the Shivalik range. Malsi Deer Park is a mini-zoological park comprising of a children's park enveloped by beautiful, natural surroundings. Alongwith the attractive environs the availability of refreshments makes the place an ideal sightseeing cum picnic spot.
Chandrabani - Situated 7 Kms from Dehradun on the Dehradun-Delhi road is the famous temple of Chandrabani(Gautam Kund). According to the mythological beliefs, Maharishi Gautam inhabited this spot. His wife and daughter Anjani are widely worshipped by the people. It is believed that the daughter of heaven-Ganga had manifested herself on this spot, which is now popularly known as the Gautam Kund. Every year devotes, in large numbers, take a dip in the holy Kund.
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2 Kms away from the main road, located in the mdst of Shivalik hills, the place is a beautiful tourist spot.
Sai Darbar - Situated 8 Kms along the Clock Tower on Rajpur Road, is the Sai Darbar Temple. This place holds a high cultural and spiritual value and is visited by tourists from across the country and foreigners as well.
Tibetan Temple - Situated on Rajpur Road near the Sai Darbar Temple is a huge and colourful temple of Lord Buddha.
Robber's Cave (Guchhupani) - An ideal place for a picnic, Robber's Cave is just 8 Kms away from the City Bus Stand. Local bus services are available upto Anarwala Village, from where it is just a Kilometre's trek to the spot.
Lachhiwala - 3 Kms from Doiwala and 22 Kms from Dehradun, on the Rishikesh road is Lachhiwala. The serene and blissful spot is famous for its picnic spots. The place also provides accommodation to tourists in the Forest Rest House nestled in the greenery.
Bhagirathi Resort - An 18 Kms drive along the Chakrata road, Bhagirathi Resort at Selaqui, Dehradun lends a breath-taking spectacle of the Himalayan ranges. The resort lures the tourists with its tranquil swimming pool, water slides and fountains. Against the backdrop of the mountain ranges, the resort is an ideal tourist spot.
Santala Devi Temple - About 15 Kms from Dehradun to reach the famous temple of Santaula Devi, one can utilize the bus facilities till Jaitunwala, then it is a 2 Kms drive to Punjabiwala by a jeep or any light vehicle and further it is a 2 kms trek to the temple. The temple stands as a symbol of the faith people have in the temple and has a great cultural and religious significance. Santla Devi, alongwith her brother, on realizing that they would not be able to face the Mughal Army, abandoned their weapons and began to pray. A light flickered and within moments they both were transformed into stone images. It is within the fort that the shrine was built and Saturdays marks the transformation of the Goddess into stone.
For more information, visit
www.incredibleindia.org
dehradun.nic.in |
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Rough it, adventure tourism got cheaper
If you are the type who likes hiking and rafting, there is no time like now to holiday. The Budget has introduced incentives for adventure tour equipment and road travel, which combined with reduced air fares and room rents, could provide the much-needed impetus to the travel industry.
The finance minister has exempted customs duty on water sports equipment like inflatable rafts, water skis, surf skis, sail boards and snow skis. That most people feel when enjoying adventure sports. “The move will bring down our costs and I am sure that the industry will pass it on to customers,” says Tejbir Anand, president of the Adventure Tour Operators Association of India. “India can now draw tourists from US, Australia and New Zealand where people were keen on adventure holidays.”
Tourism minister Kumari Selja had met Pranab Mukherjee last week to seek exemption of duty on these items in the Budget. Service tax exemption on transportation of passengers in a vehicle bearing contract carriage permit is also a shot in the arm for tourist bus operators.Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO) president Vijay Thakur says: “This will bring down costs of travel within the country and will increase the popularity of circuits like the Golden Triangle.”
Abolition of fringe benefit tax (FBT) will also help the hospitality industry, but not everyone in the trade is happy with the Budget. Industry stakeholders felt that their demands on infrastructure status and other exemptions have gone unnoticed. Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI) president Rajinder Rai says, “Not a single item regarding the sector has been addressed. There is no mention of export industry status for hospitality and tourism, no tax holiday, no rationalisation of Section 80 HHD of the Income Tax Act under which travel operators could invest their savings in the industry.”
“The travel industry is one of the biggest employers. The government must wake up to the harsh reality that the precursor to economic revival is the tourism sector.”
Source : The Times of India |
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'Caravan tourism' to be promoted in state
How about humming your favourite number as you wheel away to the countryside locales in your own caravan, a la Shahrukh Khan in Swadesh'. Well that is no wishful thinking -- it could soon be a reality. In its bid to boost the sector, the Union tourism ministry has decided to announce policy initiatives for promotion of innovative programmes like caravan tourism' in its 100-day agenda and, obviously, the desert state finds its name in its target list.
Source : The Times of India |
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