The religious town of Rishikesh, the Queen of Hills-Mussoorie, the quiet Chakarata Hills and a part of Rajaji National Park lie in this district. Dehra (meaning Camp) Dun (meaning valley) lies in a wooded valley with the Himalayan ranges to the north, the Shivalike hills to the south and the rivers Ganga and Yamuna to its eastern and Western Flanks. 34 Kilometres away, on a high mountain range, lies Mussoorie-a quaint hill stations.

Said to be one of the oldest cities in India, it is believed that lord Rama and his brother did penance here for killing Ravana, the demon king.

During the 17^th and 18^th centuries Dehradun changed hands several times: Guru Ram Rai retreated here from the Punjab, the Mughal Governor Najib-ud-Daula occupied it from 1757-1770 and the Gorkhas overran it on their westward expansion before ceding it to the British in 1815.

From Dehradun places of religious importance in the Garhwal Hills can be accessed – Kedarnath, Badrinath Gangotri, Yamunotir, Hemkund Sahib etc.

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Nestled in the mountain ranges of the Himalaya, Dehradun in one the oldest cities of India. Also known as the ‘Abode of Drona’, Dehradun has always been an important center of the Garhwal rulers which was captured by the British. The headquarters of many National Institutes like ONGC, survey of India, I.I.P. etc are located in the city. Dehradun has a string of premier educational instituted like the forest Research Institute, Rashtriya Indian Military College and the Indian Military Academy.

It is a favoured tourist destination as it attracts tourists, piligrims and enthusiasts from various walks of life to its serene environs. Add to this the abundance of special Basmati rice, tea and leechi gardens which contribute in turning the city into a paradise.