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Rishikesh, sprawled on the foothills of Himalayas is the magnet of spiritual seekers. It is a scenically blessed city of Uttarkhand. Rishikesh is known as the pilgrimage town and regarded as one of the holiest places to Hindus. Dotted with ashram and sacred meditational huts Rishikesh has been entitled as the Yoga Capital of the World. Since ancient times Rishikesh has been a hub for the Hindu Sage and saints who wants to meditate in search of higher knowledge. Enclosed by the meandering river stream and daunting hill, Rishikesh has also emerged as an adventurer’s hotspot of Uttarkhand. Bungee Jumping, Trekking and Rafting are some of the popular adventure activities of Rishikesh. The unexplored places near Rishikesh have hyped the interest of many travelers. Endowed with rich flora and fauna the lush forest and cascading waterfall of Rishikesh has captivated the minds of many nature lovers.
Situated at an altitude of 1330mt is sacred Hindu temple of Rishikesh called Neelkanth Mahadev Temple. Dedicated to Lord Shiva Neelkanth Mahadev Temple is the most popular temple in Rishikesh. The distance between Rishikesh and Neelkanth Mahadev Temple is 32km. According to legends the place where the Neelkanth Mahadev Temple currently stands is the sacred location where Lord Shiva consumed the poison that was originated during Samundra Manthan. During Maha Shivaratri Neelkanth Mahadev Temple of Rishikesh is flooded with the horde of devotees.
Nestled amidst the lush verdant forest is the famous Maharishi Mahesh Yogi Ashram of Rishikesh. Also known as Beatles Ashram, Maharishi Mahesh Yogi Ashram has gained its title after the famous rock band “The Beatles” visited this ashram to attend the advanced Transcendental Meditation (TM) training session. The stone etched walls of ashram may have lost their shine but they still hold the calm and tranquil ambiance which drew hundreds of devotes. Today, Maharishi Mahesh Yogi Ashram has been converted into a pilgrimage site for Beatles fans and as an evolving graffiti-art museum.
Maharishi Mahesh Yogi Ashram of Rishikesh Timings: 9am-4pm
Entry fee of Maharishi Yogi Ashram of Rishikesh for: Indian: Rs150|Foreign Nationals: Rs 600
Flanked along the banks of Ganges is a scenically blessed river side town called Shivpuri. Shivpuri is located at a distance of 19km from Rishikesh. This serene town has gained its prominence as an adventure hub for the adventurers visiting Rishikesh. Visitors who want to indulge in river rafting and camping in Rishikesh can visit Shivpuri.
Hovering above the meandering river stream of sacred Ganges is Laxman Jhula of Rishikesh. Laxman Jhula is a 450ft long iron suspension bridge in Rishikesh. Built in 1939 it is an important pilgrimage attraction. According to Hindu Mythology, this was the same place where Laxman used a jute rope to cross River Ganges.
Enclosed by emerald green forest on one side and gushing river stream on the other is pictorial destination called Kaudiyala. It is one of the most visited destinations of Rishikesh. Located at a distance of 36km from Rishikesh, Kaudiyala is famous amongst the travel for its white river rafting. Kaudiyala is one of the prime locations in India to indulge in this thrilling water sport. A visit to Kaudiyala is must for the adventurer’s traveling to Rishikesh.
Kunjapuri Devi Temple perched at an altitude of 1676mt is one of the 51 Shakti Peethas of Uttarkhand. It is a located atop a hill in Rishikesh. The Kunjapuri Devi Temple is built on the place where chest of Devi Sati has fallen. Offering panoramic vista of snow capped mountains like Swarga Rohini, Gangotri and Chaukhamba Kunjapuri Devi Temple has wooed the minds of many travelers. Apart from being a major pilgrimage centre, Kunjapuri Devi Temple is also known for its astounding trekking route. Kunjapuri Devi Temple of Rishikesh is an ideal place to relish the serene ambiance and a surreal sunset over the mighty Himalayas and Doon valley.
How to reach Rishikesh: Being a popular tourist destination, Rishikesh has a good network of buses connecting it with important places such as Haridwar, Dehradun and New Delhi. The distance between New Delhi to Rishikesh is 234km. Jolly Grant airport at Dehradun is the nearest airport of Rishikesh. The distance between Jolly Grant Airport and Rishikesh is 35km. Visitors can either take bus or board on a plane to reach Rishikesh. Visitors can also take a train till Haridwar and hire a cab from Haridwar to Rishikesh. The distance between Haridwar to Rishikesh is 25km.
Best time to visit Rishikesh: Situated at a lower altitude, summers are usually hot in Rishikesh. Hence the best time to visit Rishikesh is from October to November and March to May. For the visitors who want to experience the thrill of water rafting in Rishikesh the most ideal time is from late September - October to mid November.
