Rishikesh

Rishikesh, India

Rishikesh

Rishikesh, India

A small town in the Dehradun district of Uttarakhand, Rishikesh is known to be the gateway to the majestic Himalayas. One of the holiest destinations to the Hindu community, it is a popular pilgrimage town with its old temples. But above all its title as the ‘Yoga capital of the World’ and inspiration to the Beatles, is what makes it a must visit destination when in India. Located in the foothills of the Himalayas along the confluences of the Ganga and the Chandrabhaga Rivers, the small town has many offerings be it calming yoga sessions or thrilling rafting activities.

Triveni Ghat

Triveni is Rishikesh’s largest ghat, rightly popular for its evening aarti. Offering a striking view of the mountains, with the confluence of three rivers- Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati, it is an ideal place to enjoy your evenings. The spiritual atmosphere emits a unique energy that can only be felt during the evening Maha Aarti. It is truly a visual delight to witness the

Lakshman Jhulla and Ram Jhulla

The highlight of Rishikesh’s tourism, the two suspension bridges Laxman and Ram Jhula are the best way to enjoy a unique view of this small yet mesmerizing town. An architectural delight, the two 450 foot long iron hanging bridges are more than just a tourist attraction. It is said that Hindu Lord Lakshman, Lord Rama's younger brother, crossed the Ganga at this location making it a pilgrimage site among the travellers. One can also visit the famed Ram temple, and Laxman temple

Bharat Mandir

Bharat Mandir, one of Rishikesh’s oldest shrines, is located near the Triveni Ghat and is said to have been established by sage Adi Shankaracharya. This historic temple is devoted to Lord Vishnu, whose idol is made of a single black stone known as Saligram. The festival of Basant Panchmi is celebrated with great zeal around here and you can witness the local culture come alive in the most beautiful way.

Parmarth Niketan

One of the largest ashrams in Rishikesh, Parmarth Niketan is known for its annual yoga festival. The ashram was founded by Swami Sukhdevanand Ji Maharaj and is known for its yoga and meditation. Set on the banks of river Ganga it is truly a peaceful setting to delve into the techniques of meditation

Activities Not to Be Missed in Rishikesh

Learning Yoga

Apart from being a tourist destination, Rishikesh also gained prominence as a yoga centre for its iconic location, religious and spiritual significance. Slowly over the years many yoga centres and trending cafes cropped in this small town to meet the demand of new age travellers. Set in the lap of nature, it is truly an ideal place to rejuvenate your mind, body and soul.

Rafting in the mighty Ganges

Rafting at Rishikesh, in particular, is without a doubt the best in India. From the beautiful natural surroundings to the top-notch expert help, the location has it all. Rishikesh has certain qualified operators with well-established safety procedures, as well as customised camping and rafting packages. If you want a stress-free outing, operators will take care of your food, water, and rafting arrangements. Rishikesh gets quite congested during the peak season, so bear that in mind while making your plans. You can also try cliff jumping as many local rafting companies offer some amazing spots along the river. Diving from a 30-40 feet high cliff gets those adrenaline pumping real quick. Especially the cold icy water makes the activity even more exciting. The lower half of Brahmapuri Stretch is the most well-known cliff jumping around the area. Mid-February to May is the best time to go rafting in Rishikesh. However, the rafting remains open throughout the year except for the monsoon season, which starts mid-June and lasts till September.

Visiting the Beatles Ashram

Initially the training centre for Maharishi Mahesh Yogi also known as the Chaurasi Kuti, the place gained huge popularity after the Beatles visit in 1968. During their stay at the ashram, the group meditated amidst the beautiful setting and birthed numerous songs that became top hits of the era. Therefore many across the world visit what is now known as the Beatles Ashram to soak in the same peace and tranquility the place naturally offers. Despite that there is no proper architecture and the place is in ruins, you are bound to fall in love with its spiritual atmosphere. A historic temple, library, kitchen, Maharishi Yogi's home, and meditation cottages are all part of the ashram complex. Situated on a cliff, just a mile away from the Ram Jhula, the ashram is now a hotspot for wedding shoots for its artistic graffiti backdrops and also travellers wanting to catch the evening sunset over the Ganges. Find a comfortable spot in the meditation hall and just absorb the natural vibe as you discover what inspired the Beatles.

Camping in Shivpuri

A popular camping destination, Shivpuri is situated about 19 kms from the main city. The starting point of the rafting stretch, its crystal clear waters offer a thrilling experience of white water rafting. People begin here and go till the Lakshman Jhulla which is another beautiful sight to witness. Therefore many campsites are set along the river as people like to extend their adventure and enjoy a nice evening after an adventurous rafting session. The mystique water of the Ganges and mighty Himalayas offer the perfect backdrop to sit back and enjoy a bonfire while camping.

Excursions from Rishikesh

Dehradun

Roughly an hour’s journey further towards the mountains brings you this enchanting hill station of Dehradun. Surrounded by steep mountains and rich sal woods, this small town offers some interesting spots where you can enjoy the views along with good food. As the weather is pleasant all throughout the year, many local travellers jump at the opportunity of visiting this small hill station. You can plan a day trip to explore Dehradun and Mussorrie, two more mystical wonders of the mountain region.

Mussoorie

The quaint hill station has been featured in many of famous writer Ruskin Bond’s novels and is the perfect place to enjoy nature’s numerous blessings. The capital of Uttarakhand, Dehradun has been titled as the ‘Queen of Hill Stations’. Just 40 kms away from Dehradun, the East Indian Company established this beautiful town in the 19th century. The city also served as the summer capital during the British era which can be witnessed through the archaic architecture of various monuments, churches and hotels. The Mall Road is the best place to experience local food, culture and also indulge in some souvenir shopping. The Mall also has a colonial feel to it with small residences and even lamp poles dotting the entire street. Exploring further will take you to Gun Hill, Mussoorie’s second highest point, where you can reach by cable car ropeway. It offers a breathtaking view of the city with the Himalayas as the backdrop.

Rajaji National Park

To seek some adventure amidst the rich flora and fauna of the Shivalik mountain range, head to the Rajaji National Park. The park is known for its wildlife, especially rich in the population of tigers and elephants. Spanning across three districts in Uttarakhand, the area is also rich in excellent fossils, some of which even date back to 10 million years. A jeep safari will take you through the dense forest revealing the wildlife including Asian Elephants, tigers, king cobras, panthers, bears, chitals, sambars, wild boars, kakars, pythons, monitor lizards, and wild cats. Many birds, including many migratory bird species, can be seen, especially following monsoons.

Rudraprayag

Beautiful emerald lakes, glaciers, shining rivers and silver streams define this small town of Rudraprayag. A four hour journey from Rishikesh, this picturesque village is centred on the confluence of Alaknanda and Mandakini rivers (Garhwal). Situated at an altitude of 2936 feet above the sea level, it has been named after Hindu Lord Shiva’s Rudra avatar. Blessed with abundance of natural beauty, the town is a perfect showcase of why we call it the mighty Himalayan range through its majestic views.

Karnprayag

As you continue to explore the region you cannot miss out on Karnprayag, roughly 5 hours from Rishikesh. One of the Alaknanda River’s five confluences, this small town is naturally blessed with lush landscapes and snow capped mountains. It connects the Garhwal region with the Kumaon region of Uttarakhand. Given that it is said to be the location where Mahabharat’s Karna worshipped the Sun God, this venue has a lot of mythological significance which also gives it the name, ‘The City of Karna of Mahabharata’. This small village is a perfect blend of nature’s abundance and mythological stories.

Tehri Dam

One of the world’s highest dams, Tehri Dam is also the world’s largest hydroelectric plant supplying water to nearby regions. Over the years it has also become a popular tourist site in Garhwal as people visit to see the grand dam set in the hilly region. There are also some activities like skiing, water zorbing and rating organized here by the local authorities. A prime example of thoughtful engineering and construction, the dam is easily accessible by road and a must visit for its terrific location and majestic views.

Mouthwatering Meals of Rishikesh

This small quaint city reflects simplicity even through its food offerings. Majorly you will only find regional vegetarian dishes in major restaurants. Especially north indian dishes are best enjoyed here. Over the last few years with more international tourists pouring in has seen an upsurge of cafe culture around the town that offer a variety of continental cuisines.

Shopping at Rishikesh

The markets around Lakshman Jhula and Ram Jhula provide a good opportunity to see the local handcrafted products and local woolen material. Even the city’s main market is an ideal place to buy local handicrafts that interest you and seek souvenirs to take back home.

When to visit Rishikesh

The best time to visit Rishikesh for white water rafting is September-June and November. Another good time to visit Rishikesh is from February to early May. The International Yoga Festival is organised in Rishikesh in the first week of March. It is not favourable to visit Rishikesh in summer (May-June) as the temperature during these months gets extremely high, making it unbearable for sightseeing.

How to reach Rishikesh

The nearest airport is Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun, which is 35 kilometres from Rishikesh. Between these two locations, taxis and cabs operate. You can also catch the train to Rishikesh Railway Station. Rishikesh is also accessible by bus from Delhi and other Uttaranchal cities and towns.

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Rishikesh

Rishikesh

Eye-Catching Places to Visit in Rishikesh

Triveni Ghat

Lakshman Jhulla and Ram Jhulla

Bharat Mandir

Parmarth Niketan

Activities Not to Be Missed in Rishikesh

Excursions from Rishikesh

Dehradun

Mussoorie

Rajaji National Park

Rudraprayag

Karnprayag

Tehri Dam

Mouthwatering Meals of Rishikesh

Shopping at Rishikesh

When to visit Rishikesh

How to reach Rishikesh

Want To find out more about Our Popular Tours ?

Get in touch one of our destination specialists.

Other Popular Tourist Places

Punjab

Andhra Pradesh

Himachal Pradesh

Telangana

Karnataka

Jammu and Kashmir

Kerala

Leh Ladakh

Lakshadweep

Madhya Pradesh

Delhi

Pondicherry

Rajasthan

Tamil Nadu

Uttar Pradesh

Uttarakhand

Maharashtra

Gujarat

Goa

Bihar

Odisha

West Bengal

The Seven Sister States Of India

Andaman And Nicobar

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