Dehradun is bustling, as it is the state capital and is also the home of many government institutes. The center of city's activities is the popular landmark known as Clock-Tower (Ghanta-ghar), which is a tall structures with 6 non-functioning clocks; many efforts in the last 20 years to revive the clocks have been unsuccessful. The numerous high schools of the city attract students from all over the country. During the day it is common to see students (dressed in various high-school uniforms) to be moving around the city. Another popular site through-out the city are the omnipresent yellow-black vehicles (known as "Vikrams"). These vehicles provide the most common form of public transport, however, these vehicles have been cited as the cause of increase in the levels of noise and air pollution of the city. The city has witnessed tremendous growth in the last 20 years. For the younger members of the community the popular destinations are Astley Hall and Rajpur Road.

FAIRS AND FESTIVALS
Important fairs and festivals organised in different ports of the district are mentioned below : Deviji, Bissu, Jagra, Panchon, Gandhi Mela, Chandarbani, Ambika Devi, Jhanda Mela, Bawari, Jyaistha Dusshehra, Mata Bhadraj, Maru Sidh, Shivratri, Tapkeshwar sidh, Laxman Sidh.

The Jhanda Fair is celebrated in Dehradun to mark the arrival of Guru Ram Rai to the city in the year 1699. Guru Ram Rai had been banished from Punjab by his father Guru Har Rai for performing miracles in the court of the Mughal king Aurangzeb. The excommunicated Ram Rai reached Dehradun and decided to set up his camp there. He built a gurdwara called Guru Ram Rai Durbar and hoisted his flag on it.

Ever since, a fair is held on the fifth day after Holi every year in March/April as it was on this day that Ram Rai had arrived in the city. Followers from all over the country converge at Dehradun to participate in this fair, which is the largest one celebrated in the Doon valley. A flag (Jhanda) is ceremoniously unfurled at the Jhanda Chowk in the city.

The other fair in the area include the Shivratri fair at the Tapkeshwar temple and the Lakhawar fair held at a village of the same name situated near Dehradun. A fair is held every February to celebrate Shivratri at the Tapkeshwar Temple, where people from nearby towns and villages throng to worship Lord Shiva. The Lakhawar Fair is held at the village of the same name in the months of September-October every year. At both these fairs, the stress is on enjoyment and the local population enthusiastically participates in festive activities like dance, music, and sports competitions