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Dehradun
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( Dehradun; also spelled Dehra Doon), is the capital city of the state of Uttarakhand (earlier called Uttaranchal) in India, and the headquarters of Dehradun District.
It is located in the Doon valley, 230 kilometers north of India's capital New Delhi and the Delhi metropolitan area. The district is surrounded by the Himalayas in the north, Shivalik Hills in the south, the river Ganga in the east, and the river Yamuna in the west.
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Encyclopedia
( Dehradun; also spelled Dehra Doon), is the capital city of the state of Uttarakhand (earlier called Uttaranchal) in India, and the headquarters of Dehradun District.
It is located in the Doon valley, 230 kilometers north of India's capital New Delhi and the Delhi metropolitan area. The district is surrounded by the Himalayas in the north, Shivalik Hills in the south, the river Ganga in the east, and the river Yamuna in the west. The water divide of Ganga and Yamuna passes through the city.
Dehradun is one of the wealthier cities of India and is considered to enjoy one of the highest per capita incomes in the country, ranging between $1800-2000 (Nominal). It is located on the northwestern side of the fertile Gangetic plains of India. Before the creation of Uttarakhand on 9 November 2000, Dehradun was a part of Uttar Pradesh. Neighbouring cities and towns include Haridwar, Rishikesh, Roorkee, Mussoorie and Saharanpur.
The city is known within India for its "Dehradooni basmati rice" and lychees. It has been termed as the home of engineering organizations), being host to the Survey of India and the Forest Research Institute. Educational institutions in Dehradun include Rashtriya Indian Military College and the Indian Military Academy.
Etymology and history
Dera (or Dehra) refers to a camp, while Dun (or Doon) is a reference to a local term used for a river valley between a smaller mountain range (Shivaliks) and the main Himalayas.
The present town of Dehradun was founded in the early eighteenth century by Ram Rai, the elder son of seventh Sikh Guru, Guru Har Rai, who came to the area in 1675. He first settled in the village Dhamawala, which still hosts the annual 'Jhanda Fair' on the fifth day after Holi, in his memory. Thus the name refers to Ram Rai's Dera, or settlement, in the valley. Marking this settlement is a Gurudwara called 'Ram Rai Darbar', built in 1699, and modelled on the tomb of the Mughal Emperor Jehangir.
In Skanda Purana, Dun is mentioned as a part of the region called 'Kedar Khand', the abode of Shiva. Another belief states that Drona, the great teacher of Kauravas and Pandavas lived here, for a brief period hence the name, "Drona-nagri".
Geography and climate
Dehradun has a sub-tropical climate with cool winters, warm and crisp springs, hot summers and a strong monsoon. The mountains around Dehradun receive sustained snowfall in winter, and the city suffers from cold waves in the winter. April to June are the summer months, with highs averaging around 33oC (93oF) The monsoon starts in late June and ends in September, often with weeks of torrential rainfall. Autumn starts in late September and lasts until November, with average temperatures around 16oC (60oF). Winter lasts from December to February, with average lows near 4oC (38oF), followed by spring which lasts from late February to early March.
Civic administration
The Administration of Dehradun is under the District Magistrate who is assisted by Additional District Magistrates and Sub Divisional Magistrates. The Police is headed by the Senior Superintendent of Police who is assisted by Superintendent of Police (City), Additional Superintendent of Police (Rural) and Deputy Superintendent of Police at sub divisional levels. The Fire and Emergency Services is headed by the Chief Fire Officer who is assisted by Fire Officers. The Health Services is headed by the Chief Medical Officer. Municipal Corporation is headed by the Mayor of Dehradun who is assisted by Dy Mayors and Nigam Parshads.
Raj Bhavan, the official residence of the Governor of Uttarakhand, is located in Dehradun.
Economy
The city has witnessed tremendous growth in the last 20 years. Because of its educational background and high international remittances, Dehradun enjoys a high per capita income, which in dollar terms hovers close to $1800 (national average $800). The city's transition into a large urban centre has been nothing less than phenomenal. Dehradun is in a middle of a commercial & IT boom, which is amplified by the establishment of Software Technology Parks of India (STPI) and various SEZ (special economic zones)through out the city. Right from IT Parks to specifically built industrial belts have proved to be a heaven for industrialists of national and international repute. Combined with excise benefits companies are finding prospective establishment in the city (like other parts of Uttranchal) very attractive. With the construction of Delhi-Dehradun four lane highway now in full swing, the primary bottle neck endangering the city's growth (the Delhi-Dehradun two lane highway) has been solved. More economic development is expected on a much wider scale.
Education
The city is home to over 300 high schools, including some old Irish Christian Missionary schools. Notable Elite institutions in Dehradun include The Doon School, St. Joseph's Academy, Dehradun, St. Thomas' College, Dehradun and Welham Girls School and Welham Boys School. The Rashtriya Indian Military College is a public boys school and feeder to the National Defence Academy.
The past decade has seen the emergence of Engineering Colleges such as DIT and Graphic Era.
Organizations and Government institutes
The city is the headquarters/home of many government institutes, organizations and research centres, including:
Culture and tourism
The posh city of Dehradun is considered to be one of the elite cities in India. The center of Dehradun's activities is the popular landmark known as the Clock-Tower (Ghanta-ghar), a tall structure with 5 functioning clocks. With a growing population, the city has spawned a number of clubs and hang-out joints that were previously not expected. Being a wealthy city (in terms of consumption patterns) Dehradun boosts of allmost all major brand stores (which may even include boutique stores). Education is a major business and vocational activity in the city and there are a number of schools and institutions all over Dehradun. Since, Dehradun has a heritage for its schools, the city is home to a few of the nations elite schools such as The Doon School. The numerous city high schools attract students from all over India. Even though transport is now taken care of by blue striped city buses crisscrossing the city, the omnipresent blue three wheelers (known as "Vikrams") are still used. These vehicles provide the most common and cheapest form of public transport, however, they have also been cited as the chief cause of increased noise pollution and air pollution in the city.
Nearby attractions include:
- Gularghati
- Buddha Temple & Park, Clement Town
- Maldevta
- Malsi Deer Park
- Dat Kali Mata Mandir
- Sahastradhara or Sulphur Spring,
- Tapkeshwar Shiv Temple,
- Laxman Sidh Temple,
- Robber's Cave,
- Lachhiwala,
- Santhla Devi
Nearby locations include the hill stations of Mussoorie and Landour, 36 km away. There is a 16 km (easy) trekking route from Dehradun to Mussoorie. Paonta Sahib is a pilgrimage place for Sikhs with a historic Gurudwara on the banks of the Yamuna. Other nearby religious places are Haridwar and Rishikesh.
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