It's only around 25 kilometers from Haridwar to Rishikesh, so most people choose to visit both places.
The River Ganges, after flowing for 253 kilometres (157 mi) from its source at Gaumukh at the edge of the Gangotri Glacier, enters the Indo-Gangetic Plains of North India for the first time at Haridwar, which gave the city its ancient name, Gangadwára.
Haridwar is regarded as one of the seven holiest places to Hindus. According to the Samudra manthan, Haridwar along with Ujjain, Nashik and Prayag (Allahabad) is one of four sites where drops of Amrit or nectar, the elixir of immortality, accidentally spilled over from the pitcher while being carried by the celestial bird Garuda, the spot is known as Brahma Kund or Har-ki-pauri.
The road distance between Rishikesh to Dehradun is 42 km.
Dehradun is the capital city of the state of Uttarakhand.
Dehradun is in the Doon Valley on the foothills of the Himalayas nestled between two of India's mightiest rivers - the Ganges on the east and the Yamuna on the west. The city is famous for its picturesque landscape and slightly milder climate and provides a gateway to the surrounding region.
In Sakanda purana, Dehradun is mentioned as a part of the region called "kedar khand", the abode of shiva. Dehradun is one of the oldest cities in India and is believed that Lord Rama and his brother Laxman, did penance here for killing Ravana.
Dehradun is renowned for its natural resources, publishing services and particularly for its prestigious educational institutions. It is one of the highest rain receiving areas of North India.
There are numerous of famous places to visit:
- Forest Research Institute
- Mindrolling Monastery
- Tibetan Buddhist Temple
- Robber's Cave
- Tapkeshwar Temple
- Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology
- Sai Darbar Temple
- Tiger Falls
- Chandrabani Temple
- Sahastradhara
- MDDA Park
- Malsi Deer Park
- Lacchiwalla
- Ram Rai Gurudwara
- Lakha Mandal Temple
- Daat kali temple
Road Distance or driving distance from Rishikesh to Mussoorie is 71 kms (44.00 miles).
Mussoorie is a hill station. It is located about 35 km from the state capital of Dehradun
This hill station, situated in the foothills of the Garhwal Himalayan ranges, is also known as the Queen of the Hills.
During the 1959 Tibetan Rebellion, the Central Tibetan Administration of the 14th Dalai Lama was at first established in Mussoorie before being moved to its present location in Dharamsala, Himachal Pradesh. The first Tibetan school was established in Mussoorie in 1960. Tibetans settled mainly in Happy Valley in Mussoorie. Today, some 5,000 Tibetans live in Mussoorie.
Dhanaulti hill station is about 32 kilometres from Mussoorie. Mussoorie also had India's largest roller skating rink.
Tourist places near Mussoorie to visit:
- Mussoorie has an average elevation of about 2005.5 metres (6580 ft). The highest point is Lal Tibba, at a height of about 7500 ft (although the name Lal Tibba is now also used to describe a lovely lookout point, a short distance from the actual peak).
- Camel's Back
- Nahata Estate
- GunHill
- Kempty Falls
- Lake Mist
- Municipal Garden
- Mussoorie Lake
- Bhatta Falls
- Jharipani Fall
- Mossy Fall
- Sir George Everest's House
- Nag Devta Temple
- Jwalaji Temple (Benog Hill)
Road Distance or driving distance from Rishikesh to Tehri Dam is 89 kms (55.00 miles).
The old town of Tehri lies at the confluence of the Bhagirathi and Bhilangna rivers, the site of the Tehri dam.
Tehri district has lot of option for tourists to spend their leisure. This division contains lot of options for tourism and has lot of religious places. Most visited places of Tehri are Devi koonjapuri temple and chandrabadni and Tracking route of Mahasar taal, Sehstra taal and Khatling glacier is very much popular amongst foreigner tourists and are being developed. Some areas of tehri are viewable but neglected by Uttrakhand Government such places are Panwali Kantha, Belhbagi Bugyal and Khait parvat, here no attention is given by government but these places have potential to attract tourists for mountaineering.
Road Distance or driving distance from Rishikesh to Surkanda Devi is 89 kms (55.00 miles).
It is at an altitude of about 2,757 metres, or 9976 ft; lies close to nearby hill stations of Dhanaulti (8 km) and Chamba (22 km) & walking distance of approx 3 km from Kaddukhal, the place where vehicles are parked.
It is surrounded by dense forests and affords a scenic view of the surrounding region including the Himalayas to the north, and certain cities to the south (eg, Dehradun, Rishikesh) The Ganga Dussera festival is celebrated every year between May and June and attracts a lot of people.
One of the most persistent mythologies concerning the origin of worship at the site is associated with the myth of Sati, who was the wife of the ascetic god Shiva and daughter of the Puranic god-king Daksha. Daksha was unhappy with his daughter's choice of husband, and when he performed a grand Vedic sacrifice for all the deities, he did not invite Shiva or Sati. In a rage, Sati threw herself onto the fire, knowing that this would make the sacrifice impure. Because she was the all-powerful mother goddess, Sati left her body in that moment to be reborn as the goddess Parvati. Meanwhile, Shiva was stricken with grief and rage at the loss of his wife. He put Sati's body over his shoulder and began his tandava (dance of cosmic destruction) throughout the heavens, and vowed not to stop until the body was completely rotted away. The other Gods, afraid of their annihilation, implored Vishnu to pacify Shiva. Thus, wherever Shiva wandered while dancing, Vishnu followed. He sent his discus Sudarshana to destroy the corpse of Sati. Pieces of her body fell until Shiva was left without a body to carry. Seeing this, Shiva sat down to do Mahatapasya (great penance). Despite the similarity in name, scholars do not generally believe that this legend gave rise to the practice of sati, or widow burning. According to various myths and traditions, there are 51 pieces of Sati's body scattered across the Indian subcontinent. These places are called shakti peethas and are dedicated to various powerful goddesses. the body was separated part by part. Shiva passed through this place on his way back to Kailash with the dead body of Sati whose head fell at the spot where the modern temple of Surkhanda Devi stands.
