Quick answer: The ten temples most worth visiting in and around Dehradun are Tapkeshwar Mahadev, Prakasheshwar Mahadev, Santala Devi, Laxman Siddh, Daat Kali, Chandrabani (Gautam Kund), Shri Guru Ram Rai Darbar Sahib, Sai Darbar, Bhadraj Devta and Surkanda Devi. Most open about 5 to 6 am and close by 7 to 9 pm. One day covers the city temples; add a day for Surkanda Devi or Bhadraj in the hills.
Updated for the 2027 yatra season (facts checked October 2026)
Dehradun is our home. Most visitors see it only as the airport or the overnight halt before Kedarnath or the Char Dham, but the Doon valley has old Shiva caves, Siddh Peeths and devi temples that local families have worshipped at for generations. The city’s traditional name, Dronanagari, recalls Guru Dronacharya, who is believed to have done tapasya here. If you have an arrival day or a spare morning before your yatra, these temples are a good way to begin. This guide covers deity, story, timings, dress and distance from Dehradun railway station for each, with a simple plan.
Which temples should you visit in Dehradun?
Four temples sit inside or at the edge of the city: Tapkeshwar, Chandrabani, Darbar Sahib and Sai Darbar. Prakasheshwar is on the Mussoorie road. Santala Devi, Laxman Siddh and Daat Kali are 12 to 15 km out in different directions. Bhadraj and Surkanda Devi are hill shrines beyond Mussoorie that need half a day or more.
1. Tapkeshwar Mahadev
Deity: Lord Shiva, in a natural cave where water drips (tapak) continuously onto the linga, which gives the temple its name. Local tradition links the cave to Guru Dronacharya and says Shiva provided milk for his son Ashwatthama, later turning to water. Timings: about 5 am to 7 pm. Best time: Mahashivratri brings a large fair; ordinary weekday mornings are calm. From station: about 6 to 7 km, in Garhi Cantonment.
2. Prakasheshwar Mahadev
Deity: Lord Shiva, in a striking red-and-white temple with a crystal-like linga, on the road to Mussoorie. The temple is widely reported not to accept cash offerings, and visitors are often served tea as prasad. Timings: about 6 am to 8 pm. From station: about 12 to 14 km, near Kuthal Gate. Easy to fit in on the way up to Mussoorie.
3. Santala Devi
Deity: Maa Santala, a form of Durga. Local tradition tells of Santala Devi and her brother who, facing an invading army, prayed and were turned to stone; the two stone forms are worshipped here. Saturday is the main day of worship. Timings: about 6 am to 6 pm. Access: the last stretch is a walk of around 1 to 2 km. From station: about 15 km, near Jaitanwala in the Nun valley.
4. Laxman Siddh
Significance: one of the four Siddh Peeths around Dehradun (with Kalu Siddh, Manak Siddh and Mandu Siddh), associated with a siddh saint of the Nath tradition and, in popular belief, with Lakshman’s tapasya. Jaggery (gur) is the customary offering, and Sundays are crowded. Timings: about 6 am to 7 pm. From station: about 12 km, off the Haridwar road in a sal forest.
5. Daat Kali
Deity: Maa Kali. The temple stands at the pass on the Dehradun–Saharanpur road, and truck drivers and families with new vehicles stop here for the goddess’s blessing before travelling. Timings: about 5 am to 9 pm. From station: about 14 km on the old Delhi road, near the Mohand pass.
6. Chandrabani and Gautam Kund
Significance: a spring-fed kund associated with Rishi Gautam and his wife Ahalya; tradition says the Ganga appeared here in answer to the rishi’s tapasya. The temple honours the goddess Chandrabani, identified in local belief with Anjani. A dip in the kund is considered auspicious on Baisakhi and Purnima. Timings: about 6 am to 7 pm. From station: about 7 to 8 km, off the Haridwar road.
7. Shri Guru Ram Rai Darbar Sahib
Significance: the dera of Guru Ram Rai, eldest son of the seventh Sikh Guru, Guru Har Rai, who settled in the valley in the 17th century; the word “dera” is often said to be the root of the name Dehradun. The building blends Mughal and Rajput styles and is open to devotees of all faiths. Its Jhanda Mela, when a tall flag is raised on the fifth day after Holi, is the city’s biggest festival. Timings: morning to evening. From station: about 1.5 km, in the old city near the clock tower.
8. Sai Darbar
Deity: Shirdi Sai Baba, in a marble temple with a peaceful courtyard. Thursday aartis are well attended. Timings: about 7 am to 7 pm. From station: about 6 km, on Rajpur Road near Jakhan.
9. Bhadraj Devta
Deity: Balarama (Balbhadra), revered as the protector of cattle and herders across the Jaunsar and Mussoorie hills. The temple stands on a ridge west of Mussoorie with wide views, and an annual fair in August draws villagers from the surrounding hills. Timings: daytime. Access: a forest walk of several kilometres beyond Cloud’s End or from Dudhli; suitable only for fit walkers. From station: roughly 50 km by road to the trailhead.
10. Surkanda Devi
Deity: Maa Surkanda, revered as a Shakti Peeth where devotees believe Sati’s head fell. The temple sits near the top of a ridge at roughly 2,750 metres, with views of the high Himalaya on clear days. The Ganga Dussehra fair in May to June is its biggest. Timings: about 7 am to 6 pm. Access: a steep path of about 2 km from Kaddukhal on the Mussoorie–Chamba road; ask locally whether the ropeway is running. From station: about 65 to 70 km via Mussoorie and Dhanaulti, around 2.5 to 3 hours.
Dehradun temples at a glance
| Temple | Deity | Approx. timings | From Dehradun station | Effort |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tapkeshwar Mahadev | Shiva | 5 am to 7 pm | 6 to 7 km | Steps down to the cave |
| Prakasheshwar Mahadev | Shiva | 6 am to 8 pm | 12 to 14 km | Easy, roadside |
| Santala Devi | Durga | 6 am to 6 pm | 15 km | Walk of 1 to 2 km |
| Laxman Siddh | Siddh Peeth | 6 am to 7 pm | 12 km | Easy |
| Daat Kali | Kali | 5 am to 9 pm | 14 km | Easy, roadside |
| Chandrabani | Gautam Kund | 6 am to 7 pm | 7 to 8 km | Easy |
| Darbar Sahib | Guru Ram Rai | Morning to evening | 1.5 km | Easy |
| Sai Darbar | Sai Baba | 7 am to 7 pm | 6 km | Easy |
| Bhadraj Devta | Balarama | Daytime | About 50 km to trailhead | Forest walk |
| Surkanda Devi | Shakti Peeth | 7 am to 6 pm | 65 to 70 km | Steep 2 km climb |
Timings are approximate and based on local reports; hill shrines may close early in bad weather and in winter.
How to plan 1 to 3 days of darshan from Dehradun
Half day (arrival day before your yatra)
Tapkeshwar, Darbar Sahib and Sai Darbar fit into an afternoon after landing at Jolly Grant or arriving by train. This is how we often settle families in before an early start for Kedarnath or the dhams.
One day
- Morning: Tapkeshwar, then Santala Devi.
- Midday: Daat Kali on the Saharanpur road, or Laxman Siddh and Chandrabani on the Haridwar side.
- Afternoon: Darbar Sahib and the clock tower bazaar.
- Evening: Prakasheshwar on the drive up to Mussoorie, if staying there.
Two to three days
Add Surkanda Devi with a night in Dhanaulti or Mussoorie, and, for fit walkers, Bhadraj. Or go down to Haridwar and Rishikesh, each about an hour away; see our guides to temples in Haridwar and temples in Rishikesh.
Dress code and local etiquette
- No formal dress code at Dehradun temples; cover shoulders and knees, and cover your head at Darbar Sahib.
- Tapkeshwar’s cave steps are wet and slippery. Elders should hold the railing.
- For Surkanda Devi and Bhadraj, wear proper walking shoes and carry a warm layer; it is much colder up there than in the valley.
- Monkeys are active at Tapkeshwar and Laxman Siddh. Keep prasad covered.
- On Sundays and in summer holidays, Mussoorie road traffic can add an hour; start early.
When is the best time to visit Dehradun temples?
October to April is pleasant, with crisp winter mornings (December and January nights can drop near freezing). May and June are warm in the valley but ideal for Surkanda Devi. The monsoon (July to September) is heavy in Dehradun, one of the wettest cities in north India, and hill roads can be blocked by landslides. Mahashivratri at Tapkeshwar and the Jhanda Mela at Darbar Sahib are the two great local festivals.
Dehradun as your base for the Char Dham and Kedarnath
Dehradun’s Jolly Grant airport and railway station make it the natural starting point for Uttarakhand yatras. Rishikesh is about 45 km away on the road north, and helicopter yatras to the dhams usually depart from helipads in Dehradun. Registration for the Char Dham is mandatory; see our Char Dham registration guide. Hindi readers can see our चार धाम यात्रा page.
How to reach Dehradun
- Air: Jolly Grant airport is about 25 km from the city centre, with direct flights from Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru and other cities.
- Train: Dehradun station (DDN) has the Shatabdi and Vande Bharat from Delhi (roughly 4.5 to 6 hours) and overnight trains from many cities.
- Road: Delhi to Dehradun is about 250 km; the new Delhi–Dehradun expressway has been shortening the journey.
How we can help
We are a Dehradun-based yatra organiser. Our Kedarnath Yatra (3 nights, 4 days) starts from Dehradun, as do the Char Dham Yatra by Helicopter (5 nights, 6 days) and the Do Dham Yatra by Helicopter (3 nights, 4 days). Ask us whether a half day of Doon valley darshan can be added to any of these for your group. See all Char Dham yatras, or use the enquiry form on this page or call/WhatsApp us (numbers on our Contact page).
Frequently asked questions
Which is the most famous temple in Dehradun?
Tapkeshwar Mahadev is the best known, a Shiva temple in a natural cave where water drips constantly onto the linga. It is linked by tradition to Guru Dronacharya and draws a large fair on Mahashivratri. Prakasheshwar Mahadev on the Mussoorie road and Santala Devi are also widely visited by local families.
What are the Tapkeshwar temple timings?
Tapkeshwar is reported to be open from about 5 am to 7 pm. Weekday mornings are quietest. On Mahashivratri and Shravan Mondays the queue can stretch a long way, so go early. The steps down to the cave are wet and slippery; elders should take them slowly with the railing.
Can I visit Dehradun temples before my Kedarnath yatra?
Yes, and many families do. On arrival day, Tapkeshwar, Darbar Sahib and Sai Darbar fit easily into an afternoon in the city. Keep the evening free and sleep early, because Kedarnath and Char Dham departures from Dehradun usually leave at dawn. Ask us whether this half day can be added to your Dehradun yatra.
How far is Surkanda Devi from Dehradun?
Surkanda Devi is about 65 to 70 km from Dehradun via Mussoorie and Dhanaulti, roughly 2.5 to 3 hours by road. From Kaddukhal there is a steep path of about 2 km to the temple; ask locally whether the ropeway is running. Carry warm clothes, since the shrine sits at roughly 2,750 metres.
Is Prakasheshwar temple on the way to Mussoorie?
Yes. Prakasheshwar Mahadev is on the Dehradun–Mussoorie road, about 12 to 14 km from Dehradun station near Kuthal Gate. Most people stop for darshan on the drive up. The temple is widely reported not to accept cash offerings, and visitors are often served tea as prasad.
What is the Jhanda Mela in Dehradun?
The Jhanda Mela is held at Shri Guru Ram Rai Darbar Sahib on the fifth day after Holi, marking the arrival of Guru Ram Rai in the valley. A tall flagpole is raised with a new flag before thousands of devotees, and the fair continues for several days. The old city around the clock tower is very crowded then.
Which Siddh Peeths are near Dehradun?
Four Siddh Peeths are traditionally named around Dehradun: Laxman Siddh, Kalu Siddh, Manak Siddh and Mandu Siddh. Laxman Siddh, about 12 km out on the Haridwar side, is the most visited. Jaggery is the customary offering, and devotees often try to visit all four on a single Sunday.
What is the best time to visit temples in Dehradun?
October to April is most comfortable in the valley. May and June suit the hill shrines such as Surkanda Devi. Avoid July to September if you plan hill drives, as monsoon rain is heavy and landslides can block roads. Mahashivratri and the Jhanda Mela are the most festive times.