Kalsi is a popular tourist destination near Dehradun.  This town is situated 44 kms from Dehradun on the Dehradun-Chakrata Road.   Located on the banks of the River Yamuna,  the town is best known for the rock edicts of Khalsi, a group of important and large inscriptions by Emperor Ashoka.  This town offers a soothing and peaceful environment. 

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The town of Kalsi gained importance because of its heritage significance and for being the gateway to the tribal region of Jaunsar-Bawar. The Bourg of Khalsi, named after the rock edicts of Khalsi, inhabits people from different hilly communities.

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The highlight of the visit is a pear-shaped crystal rock that contains the inscription of the fourteenth edict of Emperor Ashoka which is written in Pali language with Brahmi script.

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This edict was built around 450 BC and is 10ft long and 8 ft wide. It scripted Ashoka's humane nature after the war when he converted to Buddhism and committed to the restriction of war and non-violence.  

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The Thirteenth Edict contains the names of the Greek Kings like Antiochus, Antigonus, Ptolemy, Magas and Alexander.  These kings had received Ashoka's teachings.