Tapkeshwar Temple

Tapkeshwar Mahadev Temple stands on the bank of the Tons River in Dehradun, built over a natural cave that holds its main Shiva linga. The cave is also called Drona Cave: it is believed that Dronacharya, teacher of the Pandavas and Kauravas, lived here, and that when he could not afford milk for his infant son Ashwatthama, Shiva fed the child with milk dripping from the linga.

The temple is both a pilgrimage site and a picnic spot surrounded by hills, and pilgrims bathe in nearby sulphur springs before entering. A fair runs for over a week at Mahashivratri, when the temple is lit and decorated and the temple trust serves free meals; in the month of Shravan it stays open day and night. Each Holi the local theatre group Hamari Pehchan begins its festival performances here.