Dhanaulti: A Perfect Weekend Gateway

Several quotes like Mountains are calling and I must go, the mountains are my happy place, where I feel most alive, Adventure awaits the mountains, There is no Wi-Fi in the mountains, but you will find a better connection etc are often quoted to inspire the self to explore places located amidst mountains. Many a time, these quotes are used by travel agencies to lure people in the hope of generating better revenue. However, I must say, each of them becomes alive when we witness the serene beauty with our eyes. The hill stations are the place that appears to be gently placed in the lap of nature, though artificially sometimes. Another popular destination amidst nature is Beaches, which I feel, are in stiff competition with mountains when it comes to fascinating people. It’s difficult to say who wins the race but certainly, the popularity is more when it comes to mountains.

How to reach: I expect you to reach Dehradun first whether by rail or road according to your convenience. After that, proceed to Bus Stand from where you can board a bus to Dhanaulti. However, their frequency is quite less so here are the alternatives. You can take a bus to Mussoorie and from there you can hire a cab/taxi to Dhanaulti. Riders can hire a bike/scooty from Mussoorie (25 km from here) if they are good at driving on curved- jalebi-like roads. The cost ranges around Rs. 400-500 for a day. Also, if you want to lighten your heavy pockets, you can hire a direct taxi/cab from Dehradun itself. Depending on the traffic, it can take 2- 2.5 hr. I visited this place through “Himalayan Explorers Club” (HEC) of our institute, which organized a day trip at the expense of 1200/-

Key Tips:

• Dhanaulti is an offbeat hill station of Mussoorie, usually less crowded and at higher elevations. Hence, it’s better to plan a two-day trip covering both of them in one go.
• The journey uphill can be nauseatic. Keep proper medicine. Also, restrict eating stomach full before ascending.
• The temperature will drop significantly as you’ll move up. You can also expect drizzle. It’s advisable to keep a jacket and an umbrella/raincoat.

Best time to visit: Summers to seek relief from the heat. Winters to see snowfall. Avoid planning in rainy seasons.

Famous attractions: Mainly Eco Park and Surkanda Mata Temple. Tehri Lake, Chamba, and Kanatal are remotely located from this place.

Time Duration: Usually a day. (5-6 hours)

A bit of nostalgia hit me while I was on the way up to Dhanaulti. The paths looked familiar as I visited here in 2016 when on a trip to Mussoorie. The pathway is the same except there is a cut at a distance of 10-12 km before Mussorie, that leads to Dhanaulti. A signboard is there at the intersection, hence you need to be vigilant.

“Safar khoobsurat hai manjil se bhi”. The quote is justified as you start ascending up given that you aren’t afraid of heights. Even if you’re, avoid looking downwards. The curve, narrow paths surrounded by soothing landscapes and enormous vegetation will leave you awestruck. One can take short breaks in their journey to perceive the beauty, to put it in a better way- to click pictures and get clicked.

Steering through such paths, we reached our first destination i.e. Dhanaulti Eco Park.

Tickets will cost around 20/- that can be easily procured at the entrance. Can you locate the timings on the ticket hut? Also, ample parking space is available.

A walk amidst nature, I would say if I’ve to sum up this place. Tall pine trees touching the sky can be seen all around surrounded by mountains and enveloped by clouds spread to infinity. Air, colder than AC can be felt blowing in the environment having a healing capacity as well. Its intensity becomes more when you go closer to a herd of pine trees. The weariness of the journey seemed to go at once as if a panacea has been injected into you. You’ll feel afresh, revived and rejuvenated.

A horse ride is also available if you want to explore it to the fullest. However, the place isn’t large or inclined and one can cover on foot. A series of adventure sports are also available like sky walking, flying fox, sky cycling, and rock climbing at suitable prices to make your visit enthralling. The park offers great family time as well. A perfect place for nature lovers, I must say. One can spend hours here without getting bored. If I had lived near this place, I would often be going to read novels and write poetry or stories there.

A couple of sheds like this are built at the points where nature can be adored to the fullest. The best part is that there is little intervention from humans here. Everything is free to grow the way they want, not the way we want them to grow.

I won’t be posting more pictures of this place as I don’t wanna ruin your joy of visiting. The ideal time to explore this place is 2-3 hours unless you decide to finish my ‘Undergraduate Love Stories‘ while sitting here.

Before moving to the next destination, take a look at it;

Surkanda Devi Temple is located at a distance of 6 km from here, excluding the trekking part. You can cover the distance with your respective vehicles, and park them on the roadside before beginning the trek of about 1.5 km which is steep and tiring. Keep your water bottle, some energy drinks and snacks before ascending. However, there is an alternative available if you want to skip the trekking part.

Both the paths are unique in their own way. If you’re running short of time, you can go for the aerial route. Jamin se jude log trek kar sakte hai. When in the group, the trekking part will be fun and will appear cakewalk. The view around from the top will keep fueling you. However, when nearing the top, you’ll realise how your physical health is as bad as your mental health. Just kidding. Don’t take it personally.

After reaching the top and kneeling in front of the deity, you’ll realise that every step met its worth. The clouds will encircle you in such a way that you’ll feel heavenly. The waves of cold air will embrace you as if it’s greeting you. It’ll mesmerize you greatly so much so that you won’t want to leave the place.

This temple is one of the 51 Shakipithas associated with the goddess Sati. You can also familiarize yourself with the mythical story associated with the place. The place has multiple shrines, sheltering those who shelter the world. You won’t feel that you’re 2800m above sea level as the place is full of devotees. The chanting of ‘Jai Mata Di’ imparts energy to the people who come from different corners of the world to pay homage to Mata Surkanda.

After paying homage you can take a couple of rounds around the temple. The view and the feeling are astounding. There are some shops at some distance from the temple where you can satiate your hunger. You can sit in any corner, practise meditation and reflect back on your life. It’ll certainly give you enough courage to tackle the challenges in your life.

Such is the view when looked at from the top of the temple. Indeed, nature has bestowed ethereal beauty on this place. It’s our duty to preserve it.

Photos are subject to copyright. Maker: Canon 1300d.

– Shashank