rishikesh

Rishikesh, a tiny town in the Dehradun district of Uttarakhand near Haridwar, is situated along the confluence of the Ganga and Chandrabhaga Rivers in the foothills of the Himalayas. The “Yoga Capital of the World,” Rishikesh (also known as Hrishikesh), is well-known for its adventure sports, historic temples, and well-liked eateries. Rishikesh, one of the holiest destinations for Hindus, is a pilgrimage town and the entrance to the Garhwal Himalayas.

The Beatles’ visit to the ashram of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi in Rishikesh in the 1960s helped make this city famous all over the world. Today, the location is well-known as The Beatles Ashram, drawing tourists from around the world. The tranquil town has long been a spiritual center but is equally popular for whitewater rafting, bungee jumping, mountain biking, and camping along the fast-flowing Holy Ganges. It also serves as the gateway to many Himalayan treks.

As it lies on the holy banks of the river Ganga, Rishikesh has been a hub of Sadhus (saints) with numerous ashrams teaching spirituality, yoga, meditation, and Ayurveda springing up. Since it is a religious town, non-vegetarian food and alcohol are strictly prohibited here. Rishikesh sees the most beautiful evening aarti on the banks of the river Ganga, which is not too crowded unlike its contemporaries in Varanasi, and Haridwar. The International Yoga Festival is organized here in the first week of March which sees yoga enthusiasts from all over the globe.

Rishikesh is divided into two main areas – the downtown area known as Rishikesh town which is where the famous Triveni Ghat is situated. 2 km upstream from the popular Ram Jhula and Lakshman Jhula is the other side of Rishikesh where most of the famous ashrams, cafes, accommodation, and tourists can be found. Haridwar and Rishikesh are the first Indian cities to be given the title of “twin national heritage cities”.

Places to visit:

• Laxman Jhula And Ram Jhula
• The Beatles Ashram
• Shivpuri
• Neelkanth Mahadev Temple
• Triveni Ghat
• Neer Garh Waterfall
• Kaudiyala
• Jumpin Heights
• Swarg Ashram
• Rishikund
• Geeta Bhawan
• Vashishta Gufa
• Kunjapuri Temple
• Parmath Niketan Ashram
• Bharat Mandir