Photo spot in Dehradun
Tapkeshwar Temple
Dehradun, Uttarakhand
A cave Shiva temple beside a stream where spring water drips onto the lingam — a popular, atmospheric shrine.
Best time
Early morning, when the riverside is calm and the day's first prayers begin; evening for the lamps at aarti.
Best angle
Stand on the far side of the Tamsa stream and take a photo of the temple steps and cave entrance with the water in front.
Entry fee
Free
Opening hours
6:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Crowd level
High
Best outfit colors
Overview
Best time to visit Tapkeshwar Temple
Early morning, when the riverside is calm and the day's first prayers begin; evening for the lamps at aarti. Crowds here are typically high. Arrive a little early to claim your angle and catch the softest light before the day tips over.
Poses & angles
Photo tips for Tapkeshwar Temple
Stand on the far side of the Tamsa stream and take a photo of the temple steps and cave entrance with the water in front. 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.
By the cave entrance
At the stream-side
Outfit guide
What to wear at Tapkeshwar Temple
For photos at Tapkeshwar Temple, saffron, white and red 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
Popular modern looks travellers are wearing across Dehradun.
Traditional wear for this spot
Timeless, cultural looks that suit Tapkeshwar Temple.
Eat nearby
Food near Tapkeshwar Temple
Round out the visit with something to eat. Look for jhangora ki kheer nearby.
Special dishes to try
Search food by craving
Good to know
Local tips
Go early on a weekday morning to see the cave without a long queue.
Remove your shoes at the top, as the steps and cave floor are wet and cool underfoot.
Keep your camera away inside the cave and photograph the stream and steps instead.
On Mahashivratri, arrive before dawn and expect a long, slow line.
Stay away from the stream edge during heavy rain, when the Tamsa can rise fast.
Carry a small bag only, as there is little space in the cave passage.
Pair the visit with the Forest Research Institute, a short drive away.
A cave where water drips
Tapkeshwar Mahadev is a Shiva temple built around a natural cave on the bank of the Tamsa stream, in the Garhi Cantonment area about 6 km from the city centre. Inside the cave, water drips from the rock onto the lingam, and that dripping, tapak in Hindi, gives the temple its name. Steps lead down from the road to the cave and to the stream, which runs between the shrines.
The story of the cave
Local tradition links the cave with Guru Dronacharya, the teacher of the princes in the Mahabharata, and it is also called the Drona cave. The story goes that Drona's son Ashwatthama was too poor to have milk. He prayed to Shiva, and milk dripped from the cave roof for him. You will hear versions of this from the priests.
Festivals and crowds
Tapkeshwar is at its busiest on Mahashivratri, when a fair runs around the temple for about a week and pilgrims queue from before dawn. Mondays in the month of Shravan, in July and August, are also crowded. On normal weekday mornings it is calm.
The Tamsa and the 2025 flood
The Tamsa is usually a small, gentle stream. On 16 September 2025, after a cloudburst in the hills, it rose over the temple courtyard and covered the lingam, though the sanctum survived. On heavy-rain days, stay back from the water and follow any instructions from the temple staff or police.
Visiting respectfully
Dress modestly and remove your shoes before going down to the shrines. Photography is generally not welcome inside the cave, so take pictures of the steps, the stream and the temple front instead. Leave leather items in the car, and keep bags small on festival days.
Questions
Tapkeshwar Temple — FAQ
What is the best time to visit Tapkeshwar Temple?
Early morning, when the riverside is calm and the day's first prayers begin; evening for the lamps at aarti. Stand on the far side of the Tamsa stream and take a photo of the temple steps and cave entrance with the water in front.
Is there an entry fee at Tapkeshwar Temple?
Entry to Tapkeshwar Temple is free.
What are the opening hours of Tapkeshwar Temple?
Tapkeshwar Temple is open 6:00 AM – 8:00 PM.
What should I wear at Tapkeshwar Temple?
Saffron, white and red photograph especially well here. Explore the trending and traditional outfit ideas on this page for full looks.
How crowded does Tapkeshwar Temple get?
Crowd levels are typically high. To miss the busiest window: early morning, when the riverside is calm and the day's first prayers begin; evening for the lamps at aarti.
What food should I try near Tapkeshwar Temple?
Try jhangora ki kheer at spots close by.
Why does water drip at Tapkeshwar?
Groundwater seeps through the rock of the cave roof and drips onto the lingam. That dripping gives the temple its name.
When is the Tapkeshwar fair?
Around Mahashivratri, in February or March. The fair usually runs for about a week, with the biggest crowds on Shivratri itself.
Was Tapkeshwar damaged in the 2025 flood?
The Tamsa flooded the temple courtyard on 16 September 2025 and covered the lingam, but the sanctum survived and worship continued.
Can I take photos inside Tapkeshwar cave?
It is generally not welcome inside the shrine. Photograph the steps, the stream and the temple front, and ask before shooting people at prayer.