Top 10 Tourist Places in Roorkee

IIT Roorkee Campus

• One of India’s oldest and most beautiful engineering campuses.
• Must- visit spots: James Thomason Building, Main Building, and lush gardens.

IIT Roorkee – Established 1847

Historical Significance:

• IIT Roorkee began in 1847 as the Thomason College of Civil Engineering.
• It was India’s first engineering college and second in entire Asia.
• The British started it to train engineers for the construction of the Upper Ganga Canal.
• It became the University of Roorkee in 1949 and was announced an IIT in 2001.
• Many of its Victorian-style buildings still stand as legacy structures.

Solani Aqueduct / Solani Bridge

• Historic British-era aqueduct over the Solani river.
• Great for photography and evening walks.

Solani Aqueduct / Solani Bridge – Built 1845–1854

Historical Significance:

• A major British engineering marvel, built as part of the Upper Ganga Canal Project.
• Designed by Sir Proby Cautley, who is considered the “father of irrigation engineering” in India.
• The watercourse carries the Ganga Canal over the Solani River, making it one of the earliest large bridges in India.
• The bridge and nearby structures represent early British civil engineering in India.

Solani River & Ganga Canal

• Peaceful riverside with scenic surroundings.
• Good for picnics and relaxing.

Solani River & Ganga Canal – Completed 1854

Historical Significance:

• The Solani River played a key role during the construction of the Ganga Canal, one of the longest irrigation canals in the world.
• The canal was created by Lord Dalhousie in 1854.
• Its structure brought success to North India by improving agriculture and trade.
• The canal banks have been preserved as legacy walkways.

 Roorkee Cantonment Area

• Clean and green military area with British-era architecture.

Roorkee Cantonment – Established 1853

Historical Significance:

• The Roorkee Cantonment was established by the British to provide security for the canal project.
• It also served as a base for the Bengal Sappers and Miners, an engineering force in the British Indian Army.
• Many British-era cottages and buildings still exist, making the area historically rich.

Crystal World Water Park (Haridwar Road)

• Closest big amusement & water park (12–15 km from Roorkee).
• Popular for families and youth.

Crystal World Amusement Park (Nearby Area)

Historical Significance:

• While not ancient itself, it is built on land near the old Haridwar route, which has been a traditional visit path for centuries.
• The region around it was part of the original Ganga Waterway belt built in the 1800s.

Piran Kaliyar Sharif (15 min from Roorkee)

• Famous Sufi dargah of Alauddin Ali Ahmed Sabir.
• One of the most visited holy sites in the region.

Piran Kaliyar Sharif – 13th Century

Historical Significance:

• One of the most important Sufi memorials in India, dedicated to Hazrat Alauddin Ali Ahmed Sabir (Sabir Pak).
• Constructed during the 13th century by the rulers of the Delhi Sultanate.
• The dargah is considered sacred and attracts lakhs of devotees every year.
• The Urs festival here is more than 750 years old.

Ganeshpur Roorkee Temple Area

• Known for peaceful temples like Bharat Mata Mandir and Shiv temples.

Ganeshpur Temples

Historical Significance:

• The Ganeshpur area houses some old temples built by local societies over the past 100–200 years.
• Many temples here were built during the late Ganga Canal period when workers settled near Roorkee.
• The temples reflect North Indian architectural style with simple but historical stone and stonework.

Roorkee Ganga Canal Road

• Beautiful road alongside the Ganga Canal, perfect for long drives and nature lovers.

Ganga Canal Road – Since 1854

Historical Significance:

• This scenic road runs along the historic Upper Ganga Canal, one of India’s largest irrigation projects.
• After the canal’s completion in 1854, the road served as an review route for British engineers.
• It eventually became a popular travel and trade route between Roorkee and nearby towns.

 Bindal’s Pond / Local Lakes

• Calm lakes around Roorkee that offer nice sunset views.

Local Lakes & Bindal’s Pond

Historical Significance:

• These lakes were originally formed due to old waterway build and water storage systems.
• Some were used as water management sites during the British era.
• Over time, they became well-known local vacation spots.

Haridwar (30–35 min from Roorkee)

• Not inside Roorkee but very close.
• Must-visit attractions: Har Ki Pauri, Mansa Devi, Chandi Devi, Ganga Aarti.

Haridwar (Nearby – Ancient City, 1st–3rd Century BCE)

• Historical Significance:
• Haridwar is one of the 7 divinest cities in Hindu religion.
• First mentioned in earliest texts like the Vayu Purana and Mahabharata.
• The Ganga Aarti and temples like Mansa Devi and Chandi Devi date back to the early medieval period.
• Har Ki Pauri was built by King Vikramaditya for his brother Bharthari around the 1st century BCE.