Located in the foothills of the Himalayas, on the banks of the holy river Ganges, Rishikesh is a renowned city of Uttarakhand, a northern state of India. It lies in the Garhwal region of the state. Rishikesh is famous for its yoga and meditation centers. Rishikesh is the gateway to the world-famous “Char Dham” Hindu pilgrimage tour, which begins at Kedarnath-Badrinath. It is a significant center for Hindu pilgrims from across the globe. Rishikesh is also known as the “Yoga Capital of The World” because of its ancient yoga culture, which is still prevalent in the city.
History and Culture
Rishikesh has been a part of the legendary ‘Kedarkhand,’ currently termed Garhwal. As mentioned in Hindu mythology, Lord Rama did penance here to kill Ravana, the Lanka king. Also, his younger brother, Lakshmana, crossed the river Ganges using a jute rope, which further became known as the Laxman Jhula. The city has also attracted saints and sages since ancient times due to its serene and peaceful environment, making it suitable for yoga and meditation. Saint Adi Shankaracharya built many temples on the holy lands of Rishikesh in ancient times.
As the city is a pilgrimage center for the Hindus, its culture is similar to that of the other cities of India where the Hindu population is more. Holi and Diwali are some festivals celebrated here with extravagance. Hindi and Garhwali are the most common languages spoken here. Rishikesh is a holy city; hence nonvegetarian food is strictly prohibited in the region. However, Chinese and Continental cuisines are quite appreciated by the visiting tourists. Yoga and meditation have been a part of the culture of Rishikesh for ages, thereby making the place a center of higher knowledge and spirituality.
Places to Visit in Rishikesh
The place is famous for its culture, spiritualism, and major tourist attractions. Every year Rishikesh attracts thousands of tourists from all over the world.
Ram Jhula – Laxman Jhula
There are two suspension bridges in Rishikesh, namely, Ram Jhula and Laxman Jhula. Ram Jhula near Shatrughna Temple and Laxman Jhula near Laxman Temple are the must-to-be-visited places in Rishikesh.
Neer Ganga Waterfall
The Neer Ganga Waterfall is famous for its milky white stream and its ambiance as it lies in the laps of nature.
Triveni Ghat
The Ganga Aarti at the Triveni Ghat is world-famous, not just among the Hindus but people from every religion. This riverbank is famous for its religious Aarti, which is done every evening by the saints of the main temple creating a mesmerizing atmosphere.
Neelkanth Mahadev Temple
The Neelkanth Mahadev temple is a primary Hindu pilgrimage site. The temple lies amidst the dense forests of the hills of Nar-Narayana. Located about 32 km from Rishikesh in the Pauri Garhwal district of Uttarakhand, the temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva, also known as Neelkanth.
Other Important Sites
Vashishta Gufa, Parmarth Niketan, and Gita Bhawan are other places to admire in the city. Tourists can also have a relaxing time in the Beatles Ashram or the Swarg Ashram, which lie far from the busyness of the town.
Yoga and Meditation
Afar from the hustle-bustle of the city crowd, one can find peace in the Swarg Ashram and the Beatles Ashram, which are located amidst the serenity of nature here. These are some of the effective yoga and meditation centers located in Rishikesh to attend the regular sessions. These centers also provide different yoga courses and accommodation facilities to tourists.
The Beatles Ashram was named after the British musical band The Beatles, who came to Rishikesh to practice Yoga and meditation to cleanse their mind and soul in the peaceful climate of the city.
Activities to do in Rishikesh?
Adventure Sports
Rishikesh is world-famous for adventure sports activities like camping, white water rafting, cliff jumping, bungee jumping, flying fox, kayaking, trekking, etc. There are three types of camping available in Rishikesh – beach camping, jungle camping, and luxury camping.
Cafe Hopping
The travelers can opt for cafe hopping in the cafeterias with a great ambiance. The Beatles Cafe is one of the best options available here.
Rajaji National Park
Rajaji national park is widespread over three districts of Uttarakhand – Pauri Garhwal, Dehradun, and Haridwar. The park consists of 500 elephants, 12 Tigers, 250 leopards, various species of deer, and 400 bird species. The Gate of Rajaji National Park is a 40-minute drive from Rishikesh via Cheela Dam – Rishikesh road.
Chotiwala Restaurant
The Chotiwala Restaurant provides traditional vegetarian cuisines at affordable prices. The tourists can enjoy the different kinds of Thaalis available here for lunch or dinner.
Relaxation
The tourists can go for yoga and meditation sessions in the Swarg Ashram. They can also go for ayurvedic massages in the spa and relaxation centers of the city.
Best Time To Visit Rishikesh
For Pilgrimage
The best time to visit Rishikesh for sightseeing and pilgrimage is from early March – April to the first week of May. Mid May-June is the summer months, thereby not suitable for pilgrims due to the high temperatures. In July, there is a festival in Rishikesh called Saavan; thousands of people flock to Rishikesh during this time. Major roads get blocked, and hotels get crowded. It is better to avoid traveling to Rishikesh during this month.
For Adventure
The best time to visit Rishikesh for River Rafting and Kayaking would be from September-October to mid-November, as the weather is most favorable for the sport at this time of the year.
How To Reach Rishikesh?
Via Road
Rishikesh is a renowned pilgrimage center, and it’s well connected via road to many major cities. One can take a bus route from Dehradun or New Delhi to Rishikesh by regular, deluxe, or luxury coach.
Via Rail
The nearest railhead from Rishikesh is 25 kilometers away, in Haridwar. It is connected to some of the major cities of India like New Delhi, Varanasi, Lucknow, Dehradun, etc. One can reach Haridwar via the available trains, and then, they can hire a taxi or take a bus to Rishikesh.
Via Air
Jolly Grant airport at Dehradun is the nearest airport to Rishikesh, approximately 35 kilometers away. There are daily flights available from New Delhi as well as Lucknow.
