The capital city of Uttarakhand, Dehradun is very much admired for its satisfying climate all round the year. This can be considered as the most defining and motivating a reason for pilgrimage to further heighten the city's prestige and grandeur. Indeed, pilgrimage tourism in Dehradun is a major source of income for hoteliers who provide ample information to the religious in terms of tour itinerary. This awe-inspiring picturesque hill haunt as such holds recognition and regard in terms of pilgrims' footfall for its places of religious interests. One can plan his/ her strategy accordingly, with the most revered of the pilgrim tours in Dehradun to choose from as far their convenience and accessibility is concerned. Tapkeshwar Temple Tapkeshwar Temple is a prehistoric place of worship dedicated to Lord Shiva and is situated on the banks of a rivulet, in the Garhi Cantonment Area of Dehradun, 5.5 km from the city bus stand; the Shiva temple, dedicated to Mahadeva is well linked by roadways. The temple is named so in an unusual manner as water droplets trickling from the rock ceiling above, falls upon the Shiva lingam (a phallic symbolic representation of Lord Shiva), which is enshrined here. Colossal number of pilgrims visit this place for a fair coordinated here on Shivratri, paying their homage to the mysterious deity. Tapkeshwar Temple is a much decisive temple included in the pilgrim tours in Dehradun. Gautam Kund At a distance of approximately 7 km from the proper city boundary on the Dehradun-Delhi road, there lies another sacred temple location, referred to as Chandrabani (Gautam Kund). According to mythological impressions, this spot was once inhabited by Maharishi Gautam, his wife and daughter Anjani, who are extensively worshipped by the people. It is believed that the daughter of heaven - Ganga had manifested Herself on this spot, which is presently prevalently identified as the Gautam Kund. Every year, devotees in huge numbers take a dip in this holy Kund. Two kilometres farther from the main road, located in the midst of Shivalik hills, the place truly heightens pilgrimage tourism in Dehradun to a considerable extent. Sai Darbar Temple Placed 8 km along the Clock Tower on Rajpur Road is the Sai Darbar Temple, coming next in list in the prestigious line up of pilgrimage tourism in Dehradun. The temple has been known to upheld brilliant cultural and spiritual value for its all types of devotees. As such, Sai Darbar is visited not only by tourists from within India, but also thronged from the international scenario. Tibetan Temple There lies one more temple, very near to the Sai Darbar temple, venerated as the Tibetan Temple. Noted for its colourfulness and colossus in appearance, Tibetan temple is dedicated to Lord Buddha. This Buddhist pilgrim wonder in Dehradun is located on Rajpur Road near the Sai Darbar Temple. Santala Devi Temple Approximately 15 km from Dehradun to arrive at the legendary temple of Santala Devi, one can make use of bus facilities till Jaitunwala; from there, it is a 2 km drive to Punjabiwala by a jeep or any light vehicle and a further 2 km trek leading to the principal shrine. Santala Devi temple stands as an insignia of faith people bestow upon the temple and possesses immense cultural and religious significance. Truly, Santala Devi Temple upholds pilgrimage tourism in Dehradun perhaps to its fullest scope. Known from legends, Santala Devi, along with her brother, on realising that they would not be able to face the Mughal Army, had abandoned their weapons to pray for betterment. A light had then quivered and within a blink of an eye they both were metamorphosed into stone images. It is within a fortress that the shrine was erected and Saturdays mark the transformation of the Goddess into stone. Haridwar and Rishikesh Twelve kilometres away from Dehradun city, precisely towards the route of Haridwar/Rishikesh is a legendary temple acknowledged as the Laxman Siddh. Myth has it that a sage had undergone propitiation in this very spot. Legends also stand in difference that this sage indeed was Laxmana from Ramayana. Due to hassle free approachability, the temple is visited by a massive number of faithfuls, especially on Sundays. Pilgrimage tourism in Dehradun however brings up its curtain here, with loads of other wonders and still hidden religious spectacles perhaps in some corner of the Himalayan undulations. |