Dehradun to Mahasu Devta Temple Hanol: Distance, Roads & Taxi Guide

The temple at Hanol

Hanol is a small village on the eastern bank of the Tons river. People come for one reason: the Mahasu Devta temple, the most important shrine of the Jaunsar and Bawar region. Mahasu Devta draws devotees from Jaunsar, Bawar and Himachal, and travellers interested in the region's temple architecture. It is not a sightseeing loop with many stops.

Two roads to Hanol: Chakrata or Purola

The first runs Dehradun, Vikasnagar, Chakrata, Tyuni, Hanol. It is the more direct line on the map, but the stretch beyond Chakrata is narrow and gets difficult in the rains. Hanol is about 95 km past Chakrata. The second goes through Mussoorie, Naugaon and Purola. Travellers who have done both say it takes about the same time and the road surface is better. In the monsoon we usually pick this one. Both roads end with the short run from Tyuni, about 15 km, along the river.

Why this is not a day trip

Ten to twelve hours of hill driving in one day is possible on paper, and miserable in practice. That is why we suggest booking Hanol as a two day round trip: drive up, darshan in the afternoon or next morning, return on day two. Hanol itself has very little to stay in. Most visitors sleep in Chakrata or Tyuni and drive in for darshan. Tell us where you are staying and we plan the timing around the temple's opening.

Combine it with Chakrata

If you take the Chakrata road, the cantonment town makes a natural halt on the way up or back. It turns a long drive into two manageable halves and gives you a cooler night than Tyuni. If you want more on the same trip, Chakrata and its viewpoints are the obvious add on, and they need an extra half day.

Which car

Count the suitcases before you count the people — luggage decides the car more often than passengers do. A sedan is fine for up to three adults with light bags, but it is low on ground clearance for the last rough kilometres and tight on luggage for a multi-day trip. The Maruti Ertiga is the usual pick for hill routes: family of 4 to 5, more room, higher stance, still economical on fuel. The Toyota Innova or Crysta is the car for long hill days, 5 to 6 adults with luggage, and the one to book for elderly passengers. For pilgrim and family groups of 9 to 17, a Tempo Traveller or Urbania works — ask us about the road, because on some upper stretches a 12-seater is the sensible limit.

Taxi fare

The fare is for the whole car, not per seat. Tolls, state permits, parking, and on hill routes any night halt charge are extra at actuals. For a two day trip, mention the dates when you call, because the driver's allowance and the overnight stay change the fare. For the exact fare on your date, call or WhatsApp 7830211223 — the fare is confirmed before pickup, and nothing is added afterwards.

Pickup and timing

We pick up anywhere in Dehradun, including ISBT, the railway station and Jolly Grant airport. For Hanol we suggest a 6 am start, so the narrow hill sections happen in daylight and you reach the Tons valley by early afternoon. Fuel up before you leave the plains. Pumps thin out once you are deep in the hills, and our drivers fill the tank in Vikasnagar or Mussoorie depending on the road.

Monsoon caution

From July to mid September landslides affect both roads at times. In those months we check the road situation the evening before and choose the route then, rather than promising one in advance.

How to book

Call or WhatsApp 7830211223 with the date, pickup time and address, how many people and bags, and whether it is a one-way drop or a round trip. You get the driver's name and number before the trip.

Book your Dehradun to Hanol taxi here.