Photo spot in Dehradun
Forest Research Institute
Dehradun, Uttarakhand
A grand Greco-Roman colonial building set in vast lawns and forests — one of India's largest brick structures, with forestry museums.
Best time
Morning, when the lawns are quiet and soft light falls on the red brick; late afternoon for warmer colour on the arches.
Best angle
Stand at the far edge of the front lawn and take a wide, straight-on photo so the whole row of arches fills the frame.
Entry fee
Nominal
Opening hours
9:30 AM – 5:30 PM
Crowd level
Medium
Best outfit colors
Overview
Best time to visit Forest Research Institute
Morning, when the lawns are quiet and soft light falls on the red brick; late afternoon for warmer colour on the arches. Crowds here are typically medium. Arrive a little early to claim your angle and catch the softest light before the day tips over.
Poses & angles
Photo tips for Forest Research Institute
Stand at the far edge of the front lawn and take a wide, straight-on photo so the whole row of arches fills the frame. Work a few of the pose ideas below, shoot wide for context and tight for detail, and give yourself a couple of extra minutes to get the frame right.
Before the grand colonnade
On the sweeping lawns
Outfit guide
What to wear at Forest Research Institute
For photos at Forest Research Institute, white, beige and maroon work beautifully — they stand out against the setting without fighting it. Pick one hero colour and keep the rest of the look calm so you stay the subject of the frame.
Best outfit colors for photos
Trending wear for this spot
Modern, camera-ready looks picked for Forest Research Institute.
Traditional wear for this spot
Timeless, cultural outfits worn across Dehradun.
Eat nearby
Food near Forest Research Institute
Round out the visit with something to eat. Look for bal mithai nearby, or settle in at one of the 2 restaurants close by.
Special dishes to try
Restaurants & food places nearby
Search food by craving
Good to know
Local tips
Plan a weekday visit, as the museums may be shut on Sundays or public holidays.
Arrive soon after opening, when the lawns are empty and the light on the brick is soft.
Walk the covered corridors on a hot or rainy day; they stay cool and dry.
Keep your ticket with you, as it may be checked at the museum doors.
Ask at the entrance before setting up a tripod or a pre-wedding shoot.
Carry water and a snack, as there is little food for visitors on the campus.
Pair the visit with Tapkeshwar temple, which is a short drive away on the same side of town.
A forestry institute in a grand building
The Forest Research Institute was founded in 1906 to study India's forests, and it still does that work today. Its main building, designed by C. G. Blomfield and built in the 1920s, is a long block of red brick in a Greco-Roman style, with rows of arches, corridors and inner courtyards. It was once listed as one of the largest brick buildings in the world. The campus covers about 450 hectares of lawns and trees on the Chakrata road, about 7 km from the Clock Tower, with the Tons river along its western edge.
The museums
The building holds six small museums on forestry themes: timber, forest pathology, silviculture, insects, social forestry and non-wood forest products. Expect glass cases and old-fashioned displays rather than modern exhibits. The timber museum has a huge cross-section of an old deodar trunk. Entry to the campus and the museums is ticketed. The museums keep office hours and are closed on some days; sources disagree on whether that means Sundays, weekends or only public holidays, so check before you go.
Film sets and photographs
More than a dozen Hindi films have been shot here, including Rehnaa Hai Terre Dil Mein, Paan Singh Tomar and Student of the Year, in which the building played a college. Many visitors come for that reason. Casual photos in the open areas are fine, but professional and commercial shoots usually need the institute's permission.
Visiting
This is a working institute and a deemed university, so keep to the areas open to visitors and keep noise down near offices. Allow two to three hours to see the museums and walk the grounds. You can drive or take a taxi inside the campus, which is large enough that walking every path takes a long time.
Questions
Forest Research Institute — FAQ
What is the best time to visit Forest Research Institute?
Morning, when the lawns are quiet and soft light falls on the red brick; late afternoon for warmer colour on the arches. Stand at the far edge of the front lawn and take a wide, straight-on photo so the whole row of arches fills the frame.
Is there an entry fee at Forest Research Institute?
Entry to Forest Research Institute is nominal.
What are the opening hours of Forest Research Institute?
Forest Research Institute is open 9:30 AM – 5:30 PM.
What should I wear at Forest Research Institute?
White, beige and maroon photograph especially well here. Explore the trending and traditional outfit ideas on this page for full looks.
How crowded does Forest Research Institute get?
Crowd levels are typically medium. To miss the busiest window: morning, when the lawns are quiet and soft light falls on the red brick; late afternoon for warmer colour on the arches.
What food should I try near Forest Research Institute?
Try bal mithai, available at nearby restaurants.
Which films were shot at the Forest Research Institute?
More than a dozen, including Rehnaa Hai Terre Dil Mein, Paan Singh Tomar and Student of the Year. The main building often stands in for a college.
What is inside the Forest Research Institute?
Six small forestry museums on timber, tree diseases, silviculture, insects, social forestry and forest products, plus long arched corridors and courtyards.
How long should I spend at the Forest Research Institute?
About two to three hours to see the museums and walk around the main building and lawns.
Is the Forest Research Institute open on weekends?
The grounds usually are, but the museums keep office hours and may be closed on Sundays and public holidays. Check before you go.