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Let me describe how I continuously fall in love with my hometown as it captures my heart time and time again
As someone who loves to travel, my bucket list keeps growing and fueling my wanderlust. Many Instagram Reels and YouTube vlogs introduce me to new places and uncharted terrains, constantly reminding me how much there is to see and explore. However, in the quest to discover the unknown, we often overlook the beauty in our roots.
I count myself blessed to have been born and raised in Dehradun – a small, peaceful city nestled amidst the Garhwal Himalayan mountain ranges. While tourist hotspots, such as Mussoorie, Rishikesh and Dhanualti, attract tourists from far and wide, locals like me harbour a fascination for exploring the hidden gems within our own city. I like to play tourist in my city to look at it from a fresh perspective. Wandering through the streets, I lose myself in search of novel spots while rekindling my love for the familiar ones.
When I'm not away travelling and exploring new destinations, I like to explore the undiscovered roads, nooks and crannies of my hometown. These are the roads less travelled, as they say. Situated in the foothills of the Himalayas, Dehradun boasts beautiful landscapes, verdant trees, and vast blue skies, with cotton-candy clouds leisurely drifting by.
You may have had a glimpse of Dehradun in many Bollywood blockbusters like Student of the Year, Lakshya, and Paan Singh Tomar, which were filmed here. Amongst the many places to visit in Dehradun are the Forest Research Institute (India) (FRI) and the Indian Military Academy (IMA), which have become major tourist destinations, thanks to their cinematic portrayals. The city was once a territory under the control of the British Empire, the remnants of which are evident in its architecture and in the names of roads and localities here. The FRI, originally established as the British Imperial Forest Research Institute in 1906, stands as a testament to this era. In Old Rajpur, several homes dating from the British era stand tall, reflecting the magnificent history of Dehradun.
While the city centre brims with cafes and shops, there is a hidden gem known as Old Mussoorie Road that remains mostly undiscovered by many tourists. The quaint and peaceful part of the city provides a haven for locals to enjoy nature in peace. As I walked along Old Mussoorie Road, a beautiful canopy of trees filtered the sunlight, creating a soothing ambience. With every step, I found solace in the pretty surroundings. After navigating a steep slope and a few turns later, I found a serene spot amidst misty mountains and soft clouds that often grace the city during the monsoon and winter months.
Beyond this spot, charming houses adorned with pink and orange bougainvillaea flowers on the walls warmly greeted me. This location is also one of the most picturesque places to capture an Instagram-worthy photograph.
It is a ritual for me and my best friends to walk down this practically abandoned road on a chilly winter afternoon, especially after stuffing ourselves with some delicious food! The restaurants here serve everything from Chinese, Continental, and Tibetan to North- and South-Indian food. You can also try the Pahadi cuisine here. The food trucks on Rajpur Road are known for their mouthwatering dishes, suitable for all moods. One of my favourite places to dine here is The Orchard. My friends and I love the cheese kothey with spicy tomato chutney here. For those unfamiliar, kothey is a Nepali dish – half-steamed and half-fried momos with a vegetable or meat filling. The Orchard's mouthwatering tiramisu is a perfect way to end a meal.
When I'm in the city, I often like to go on long solo drives. The road leading to Maldevta Farms offers stunning views of Dehradun. I usually take this quiet road with mellow music playing and the mighty Song river flowing alongside. I usually park myself in a secluded spot by the river, listening to music, and watching the shimmering water cascading. I sometimes bring my diary to write about my day, or I amuse myself by hurling pebbles into the river.
Before bidding farewell to this landscape to return home, I always stop for a steaming cup of chai at one of the roadside tea vendors. I sit on a rickety chair, sipping my chai and listening to the chaiwallah play old melodies. There’s a gorgeous house perched amid the mountains, on top of the hill here, which is unmissable. I often wonder about the way to this house and also about how they were able to build it. All I know is that it’s a cosy, wooden house. I wonder who lives in this quaint home and whether it has a fireplace too, just like the movies on Netflix.
Another hidden gem that I discovered lies on the outskirts of Dehradun: Kalsi which is a small town in Chakrata, known for its tranquil atmosphere and rich heritage. Here, you will find the inscriptions of the renowned Mauryan ruler, Ashoka, in the form of rock edicts. Written in Pali, these inscriptions are a throwback to the glorious era of the Mauryas and are protected by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). If you are a history buff like me, you should definitely visit this place. Apart from its historical significance, Kalsi also makes for a great picnic spot. Surrounded by lush greenery near the confluence of the Yamuna and its tributary, Tons river, you can spend quality time with your loved ones against the backdrop of the majestic Chakrata Hills at Kalsi, especially on weekends.
If you are feeling adventurous, you can go to Lambi Dehar Mines on the way to Mussoorie. Once a limestone mine, it is now an abandoned property covered in black soot with plants growing on its walls. It is considered one of the most haunted places in Uttarakhand. According to legend, the workers in this mine died a painful death due to inappropriate mining practices in 1990. It is said that you can hear the shrieks and cries of these workers at night. Most of us dismiss this story as being bogus. I have visited these mines myself but felt nothing paranormal there. However, it is important to note that I made a trip in the daytime with a bunch of friends and we weren't there for too long.
As the capital city of Uttarakhand, Dehradun is experiencing rapid development. Restaurants and stores found in metro cities are also opening outlets in Dehradun. A new spot for the locals is the Starbucks that has recently opened on Rajpur Road. This dainty little store will be your go-to place in the winter to have coffee while enjoying the weather.
Dehradun is well connected via air, rail, and road. The Jolly Grant Airport is around 20 km from the city centre. You can easily hail a cab from the airport. The Dehradun Railway Station is connected by train to all major cities, including Delhi, Lucknow, Mumbai, and Kolkata. If you are travelling by road, you can take an AC or ordinary bus from ISBT Kashmere Gate in Delhi. There are many budget and luxury hotel accommodations in the city that will ensure a comfortable stay for you. You can carry cotton clothing for the summer, but you must carry woollens for the winter, as temperatures can drop to 3°C during this time.
If you ask me, three days are more than enough to explore Dehradun. But whenever you decide to come, do so with an uncluttered schedule. Don't be in a rush if you want to get to know the city. Winter is the best time to visit Dehradun when the scorching sun subsides and provides soothing warmth that makes you forget all your woes.
There’s always something new to explore in Dehradun. You never know what you'll find if you venture a little further. The city is a hidden gem that you often want to keep to yourself to prevent the place from getting crowded. It fills my heart with pride when I hear people singing praises of my city.
If you feel there’s nothing worth exploring in your city, I’d say, look again! Go beyond a simple Google search: hop on your bike, take a long drive, and go a little further than you usually do. You might come across something you missed because you were too focused on getting to your destination at other times. Stop, stare for a while, and capture it in your heart, not necessarily in your camera; and fall in love with your hometown – just like I do, over and over again!
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