Dehradun, the capital of Uttarakhand, offers open spaces, a fresh and clean environment, a temperate climate, a casual lifestyle, and a very low crime rate, making it an ideal destination for Indian students, particularly those seeking higher professional education. Imagine a city that combines these qualities with the cosmopolitan style of the great cities of India. A city that blends heritage with a vibrant youth culture and a thriving artistic community.
Dehradun’s efficient and inexpensive public transport system will take you to most places around the city; however, there is nothing like exploring the city on foot to help you get your bearings. Dehradun is famous for several private and government organizations, such as the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Rashtriya Indian Military College (RIMC), Forest Research Institute (FRI), the only one of its kind in India and Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC), the country’s largest oil exploration organization.
Some Famous Places in Dehradun
Tapkeshwar Temple
Tapkeshwar Shiv Temple is an ancient place of worship situated on the banks of a rivulet in the Garhi Cantt. area, 5.5 km from the city bus stand. The temple is well connected by road.
It is named Tapkeshwar because water droplets, originating from a rock, fall on the Shivling placed in the shrine. People participate in large numbers in the fair organized on the occasion of Maha Shivratri and pay their obeisance to the deity.
Indian Military Academy (IMA)
The Indian Military Academy became functional on 1 October 1932 with course strength of 40 Gentleman Cadets.
Brigadier L. P. Collins, DSO, OBE, was the first Commandant. The IMA building in Dehradun is known as the Chetwode Building, named after Field Marshal Sir Philip Chetwode, who was then the Commander-in-Chief of India. The IMA is located 8 km on the Dehradun–Chakrata Road and 3 km beyond F.R.I.
Rashtriya Indian Military College (RIMC)
The Rashtriya Indian Military College is an Inter-Services Institute and a Category ‘A’ establishment of the Ministry of Defence, alongside institutions such as the National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla, Officers’ Training Academy, Chennai, and the Indian Military Academy, Dehradun. The College provides public school education to young boys in the age group of 11½ to 18 years, specially selected through an All-India competitive examination.
It is a dedicated feeder to the National Defence Academy and the Naval Academy. The College aims to send the maximum number of boys to the NDA/Naval Academy. Hence, the stress is on complete education and all-round personality development. However, in the event that a boy does not join the NDA for any reason, the RIMC guarantees, through the five-year academic course, that he attains sufficient academic proficiency to gain admission to any professional or other college in the country.
Forest Research Institute
7 km from the Clock Tower, the Forest Research Institute, located on the Dehradun–Chakrata motorable road, is the biggest forest-based training institute in India. Most forest officers are products of this institute. The F.R.I., with its majestic building, also houses a Botanical Museum.
The Indian Military Academy, situated 8 km on the Dehradun–Chakrata Road and 3 km beyond F.R.I. (Dehradun), is a premier training institute for Army officers.
Rajaji National Park
Rajaji National Park was founded in 1966 and spreads over an area of 820 sq km. The park, with its magnificent ecosystem, is nestled in the lush valley of the Shivalik Range.
It represents the flora of several forest zones, including riverine, broad-leaf mixed forest, chir pine forest, scrub land, and grassy pasture lands. There are 23 species of mammals and 315 species of avifauna here.
Rajaji National Park is named after Late Shri C. Rajagopalachari, popularly known as Rajaji. The best tourist season is between November to mid-June.