Rajaji National Park - Rajaji National Park is situated at a distance of 23 km from Dehradun. This densely forested sanctuary is known for its elephants, barking deer, leopards, sambar and peafowl and a variety of birds. The forest around this region contains 3 sanctuaries, Rajaji, Motichur and Chilla. In the year 1983, the three parks were merged into one and named Rajaji after the great freedom fighter C. Rajagopalachari. Spread over 830 km on the foothills of the Shivalik range, it is especially known for its elephant population. The park is also  home  to the  forest  tribe of  Gujjars  who  have  lived  in  these
forests for over 200 years. Rajaji is a magnificent ecosystem at the beginning of the vast Indo-Gangetic plains, and has the vegetation of several zones and forest types. It houses as many as 23 species of mammals and 315 bird species. Mussoorie - 38 kms. from Deharadun is Mussoorie with its green hills and varied flora and fauna, is a fascinating hill station. It offers a wonderful view of the Himalayan snow ranges to the northeast and the Doon valley, Roorkee, Saharanpur and Haridwar to the South, creating a peaceful atmosphere for the tourists. Rishikesh - 43 kms from Dehradun lies the holy place of Rishikesh. This place is the starting of the Char Dham Yatra. It is also the ideal location for anyone seeking to delve deeper into peace, meditation and for participating in the International Yoga Week, which takes place in February, for the complete rejuvenation of mind and soul.

Dehradun is the place to be in for the nature lovers and the adventure seekers alike. The ski resort at Auli near Dehradun attracts enthusiasts from all over the country and abroad. The resort has skiing facilities like cable car, ski lift, chair lift, snow-beaters et al. The valley of flowers, Har-ki-Doon, Dodital, and Pindari glacier etc. make excellent trekking routes from Dehradun.

While on a shopping spree in Dehradun you just can't miss out on the woolens. Check out the Sahakari Bazaar, Rajpur Road, Astley Hall, Paltan Bazaar, and Connaught Place in Dehradun for the purchases. The carpets woven by Tibetan refugees also make excellent option for gifts and souvenirs from Dehradun.

Events in Dehradun

The hill resort of Dehradun hosts several fairs and festivals. Dehradun celebrates the Jhanda Fair on the fifth day after Holi every year in March/April. The fair honors Guru Ram Rai who arrived in Dehradun in 1699 on the same day. He built a Gurudwara called Guru Ram Rai Durbar and hoisted his flag on it. The followers come together and the flag is ceremoniously unfurled at the Jhanda Chowk of Dehradun.

The Tapkeshwar temple of Dehradun celebrates the Shivratri fair with much fervor. Devotees of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati throng the Tapkeshwar Temple during the annual Shivratri fair. Then there is the Lakhawar Fair that is celebrated in the Lakhawar village during the months of September-October every year. Dance, music, and sports competitions mark the celebrations of the fairs in Dehradun.

Getting There & Away to Dehradun

	The Jolly Grant airport, nearest from Dehradun is 25 km away. It is linked with flights to Delhi, which is major international airport of India.
	The excellent rail network links Dehradun with other important places of India, including Delhi, Mussorie, Mumbai, Varanasi, Calcutta and Lucknow.
	Dehradun is well connected to other cities of Uttar Pradesh, Uttaranchal and Delhi by regular bus services like Agra, Calcutta, Chennai, Jaipur, Lucknow, Mumbai and Delhi. There are road routes that connect Dehradun with tourist places like Haridwar, Rishikesh, Shimla, Yamunotri, Kedarnath, Nainital, Badrinath, Gaurikund, Gangotri, Kalsi and the Rajaji National Park.