"Rishikesh, where adventure and spirituality collide."
There are many mountain places all over the world. It offers us various ways to enjoy and experience the natural beauty and adventure activities. Everyone loves to explore mountains places to do various activities like hiking, trekking, mountain biking, for peace, photography, relaxion and for wellness and many other things.
One of these places is Rishikesh. This place is known or famous for adventurous activities and spirituality. It is believed that taking a trip to Rishikesh is like stepping into a different world.
So, in this travel blog I will cover all the necessary things that one should know before stepping to Rishikesh which include place to explore, major attraction, food, activities, accommodation and more.
Rishikesh
Intro-
Rishikesh is located in the northern Indian state of Uttarakhand. It is situated at the foothills of the Himalayas on the banks of the Ganges River. Rishikesh is about 240 kilometers (149 miles) north of the national capital, New Delhi, and can be accessed via road and rail transport.
Content-
-History.
-How to reach.
-Places to Explore.
-Activities to do.
-Food.
-Accommodation.
-Best time to Visit.
-Number of days required.
-Budget.
History.
Rishikesh is the city located in the state of Uttarakhand. The river is considered as holy, and city is renowned for yoga and meditation. That's why city is referred to as 'Yoga Capital of the World'. The destination is filled with crowded visitors, who come here to learn yoga and meditation. Ancient sages and saints meditating here in search of higher knowledge. There are many temples and ashrams built along the banks of river.
It was part of the legendary "Kedarkhand" which is mentioned in the Skanda Purana. Legends believed that Lord Rama did Tapasya here for killing the demon of Sri Lanka, Ravana. The younger brother of Lord Rama, Lakshmana who crossed the ganga river through bridge which is made from two jute ropes are called now Lakshmana Jhula (Swing).
The Skanda Purana also mentions the place as "Indrakund" where Indra underwent a holy bath to remove his curse.
It is also known as the "Gateway to the Garhwal Himalayas" and "Yoga capital of world". Rishikesh has hosted the annual "International Yoga Festival" on the first week of March since 1999. In Rishikesh people are not allowed to eat non-veg and drink alcohol.
How to reach?
One can reach to their destination (Rishikesh) by various modes of transportation like by air, train, bus etc. As Rishikesh has its own railways station.
-By Air: The nearest airport from Rishikesh is the Joly Grant Airport, located in Dehradun, which is approximately 30 km away from Rishikesh. There is regular flight from major cities of India to Dehradun.
-By Train: The city has its own railway station which is connected to the all the major railway station in India. So, you can directly arrive here by railway station.
-By Road: You can directly reach here by public transport like bus and by your personal vehicle too.
Once you reach here, you can take taxis, buses, or auto rickshaws to travel within the city.
Places to explore.
As it is a religious destination, majority of the places in Rishikesh have religious connotations. There are various temples and ashrams to visit.
Following are the list of places to visit in Rishikesh.
1. Laxman Jhula.
It is one of the best places in Rishikesh to visit. This is a 450 feet long suspension bridge at the height of 70 feet from the river. The bridge is the best attraction as it is believed that Lord Laxman crossed the river using this bridge. As you walk from the bridge you get beautiful views of ganga river on both the sides.
2.Ram Jhula.
A few miles away from Laxman Jhula you will find Ram Jhula. While you cross the river you can see that Himalayas is touching the cloud. These types of scenic view one doesn't want to miss.
The bridge linking two ashrams- swarg ashram on one side, Sivananda ashram on the other.
3. Shri Bharat Mandir.
This temple is situated in the middle of Rishikesh city. It is 2 km far from railway station. It is one of to best destination to visit in Rishikesh. This is my personal favorite place. It is an ancient temple of Lord Hrishikesh Narayan located at heart of the Rishikesh city in Uttarakhand. This temple is told as one of the oldest and sacred temples in the city.
Bharat temple also finds its name in many Hindu scripts and epics like Mahabharata, Vishnu Puran, Vaman Puran and so on.
4. Tera Manzil Mandir.
This temple is also known as Trimbakeshwar temple. This is one of the most renowned temples of Rishikesh and next to Laxman Jhula bridge on the eastern bank of river. This is one of the famous tourist spot and holy multi-Storey temple located on the bank of rivers ganga in Rishikesh. This holy shrine has 13 Storey as (itself describe in its name) and each Storey has several idols of Hindu Gods and Goddesses.
5. The Beatles Ashram.
This ashram is also known as Chaurasia ashram. It is located in the eastern bank of ganga river opposite of Muni ki Reti. It was the training Centre of for students of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi for Yoga and Meditation.
The site was abandoned in the 1990s and reverted to the local forestry department in 2003. The site is officially opened for the public in December 2015.
6. Triveni Ghat
Triveni Ghat is a sacred bathing spot located on the banks of the Ganges River in Rishikesh, a small town in the northern Indian state of Uttarakhand. It is considered one of the holiest places in Rishikesh and is a popular destination for pilgrims and tourists alike.
The word 'Triveni' refers to the confluence of three holy rivers- Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati- which are believed to be merge at this place.
According to Hindu Mythology, taking a dip in the water of this ghat can purify one's sins and grant salvation. This ghat is also famous for its evening aarti, a Hindu ritual of offering prayers to the deities by lightning lamps and incense stick. The aarti is beautiful sight to behold, with the sound of hymns and bells filling the air and the lamps floating on the river.
7. Laxman Temple.
Laxman temple is the Hindu temple located in holy town of Rishikesh. This temple is situated on the bank of river Ganga. This temple is dedicated to Lord Laxman and its believed to be built in 12th century.
The temple is known for extraordinary and beautiful architecture, carving and paintings. The temple complex also has several smaller shrines dedicated to various deities, including Lord Hanuman and Lord Shiva. According to Hindu mythology, Laxman Temple is believed to be the site where Lord Laxman, Lord Rama's younger brother, meditated during their exile in the forest. The temple is located in a serene and peaceful environment and is a popular spot for devotees and tourists alike.
Laxman Temple is an important pilgrimage destination in Rishikesh and is visited by thousands of devotees every year.
8. Muni Ki Reti.
It is one of the famous tourist attractions in Rishikesh. It is situated on the banks of the river Ganges and is a popular destination for spiritual seekers. The place is known for its yoga centers, ashrams and meditation retreats.
Many people visit here to learn yoga and meditation and to immerse themselves in the spiritual culture of India.
9. Neelkanth Mahadev Temple.
This temple is located at Kotdwar in Rishikesh. It is a Hindu temple which is dedicated to Shiva and situated at the height of 1,330 meters above sea level.
According to Hindu mythology, it is believed that Lord Shiva drank the poison and came out during the churning the ocean at this place, which turned his throat blue, hence the name "Neelkanth". This temple is also famous for its scenic beauty and attracts a large number of tourists and devotees every year.
There are still some places you can visit if you have time, which are-
-Shivpuri
-Byasi.
-Ragunath Temple.
-Rishi Kund.
-Sivananda Ashram.
Activities to do in Rishikesh.
Rishikesh is a beautiful place which is located in the Northern part of India. The city is known for its spiritual and cultural heritage and many more adventurous activities which will drive you crazy.
So, the activities one can do in Rishikesh are-
1. River Rafting.
This is one of the most popular activities one can experience here. The rafting experience in Rishikesh is unforgettable one as it offers a perfect way Gof adventure and natural beauty. This activity takes you through landscapes of Himalayas, dense forest and small villages on the bank of river. It is so exciting and trilling activities in Rishikesh.
The rafting operators in Rishikesh will provide you professional guides and safety equipment to ensure that the rafting is safe and enjoyable. Its cost range between 600 to 3000 rupees depending on distance you chose.
2. Giant Swing.
This is another popular activity in Rishikesh. It is an extreme adventure activity that involves jumping from a height of around 83 meters while being tied to a rope. Much same as bungee jumping, but bungee jumping is based on free fall principle but in giant swing, person's rope is harness is connected to a holding point from where he swings.
Its price ranges from 2000 to 6000 rupees.
3.Bungee Jumping.
It is also one of the most popular activities in Rishikesh which involve jumping from height. The activity is operated by a trained person who ensures all the necessary safety measures.
The minimum age for bungee jumping in Rishikesh is 12 years, and the weight limit is between 35 to 110 kg. Its price ranges from 2000 to 4000 rupees.
4. Hot air balloon.
Hot air balloon is an increasingly popular activity in Rishikesh. The ride lasts for around an hour, which usually cover a distance of around 10 km. During the ride you can see beautiful Himalayan Mountains, ganga river and city of Rishikesh. Summer is the best season to experience this. It cost ranged from 6000 to 16000 rupees.
5. Paragliding.
Want you fly high in the sky then this adventurous activity is just for you. You can see the view of Ganga River, gigantic Himalayan Mountain and the city of Rishikesh. Fly over the calm landscape of Rishikesh on a parachute. Avoid paragliding in rainy weather. The cost ranges from 4000 to 12000 rupees.
There are many activities you can do in Rishikesh, if you have good budget then you can also do the following activities in Rishikesh.
-Camping.
-Flying Fox.
-Waterfall rappelling.
Food and Accommodation.
Food-
Rishikesh is the popular destination for spiritual seekers and for adventurous activities, it is also known for delicious food but nonveg and alcohol are not allowed here.
The famous foods are-
-Chole Bature.
-Lassi.
-Aloo puri.
-Thupka.
-Ram Fal.
Must visit Go Cafe Hopping. It is not just about coffee but its about having coffee in a cafe near the banks of river ganga, enjoying a hot cup of coffee in the downtown across Laxman Jhula.
And the second one is Chottiwala Restaurant. One of the best things to do in Rishikesh is eating in this restaurant. Located on the bank of river near Triveni Ghat. The restaurant is known for its tasty, nutritious and healthy food at affordable prices.
One of the most popular dishes is the thali, which include rice, roti Dal, vegetables, and a dessert. The thali is served in unlimited quantities and is perfect for those who want to try a variety of dishes.
The Chottiwala restaurant also serve many south Indian, Garhwali and Chinese dishes. If you are foreigner, they also serve continental food.
Accommodation-
There are plenty of option available for traveler for accommodation and offer different budget and preferences.
-Hotel: It offers budget friendly to luxurious option. It offers comfortable room, food and more.
-Guest house: At free reasonable price.
-Ashrams: Free or very low price.
-Hostels: Budget friendly.
-Camping: offers a unique experience for travel.
Best Time to Visit.
One can visit every month of the year, the best time depends on various factors and on your preferences.
If you want to do adventure activities: March to June.
Enjoy winter in mountain: oct to Feb.
Don't want crowd: July, August, December and January.
Char Dham: May to October.
Number of days required-
If you just want to explore some important places, then 3-4 days is good but if want to visit every part of the Rishikesh then 1 week is enough for it.
Budget-
It depends on many factors like you just want to visit or want to do activities here. where you live, all will influence budget.
-Basic tour-4000 to 6000 INR.
-Basic tour+camping+rafting+hot air balloon+bungee jumping: it will cost you around 15000 to 20000 INR if you want to experience all the activities.
Travel Tips-
-If you don't like crowd, avoid visiting from March to June.
-Pack woolen clothes: November to February.
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