Rishikesh Travel Guide

In spite of its claim to being the ‘Yoga Capital of the World’ ,Rishikesh is a quieter and more easy-going place than Haridwar. Situated 24 kms. upstream from Haridwar  at the confluence of the Chandrabhaga  and Ganga Rishikesh has long been a spiritual  centre. The setting on the banks of the Ganges surrounded by hills on three sides is perfectly conducive to meditation and the main areas for yoga study are far from the noisy centre of town. The yoga movement really  took off here in the 1960s when the Beatles came here to find their guru the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. The holy Ganges is clear here and many travellers join the Sadhus  for a dip in the morning. In the evening the wind blows down the valley setting temple bells ringing and adding to the contemplative atmosphere.
For the pilgrims Rishikesh is most important as the starting point for the Char Dham Pilgrimage for visiting Yamunotri Gangotri Kedarnath and Badrinath or going to the Garhwal hills and the Sikh shrine at Hemkund Sahib.

It is said that the sage Raibhya Rishi did serve  penance here and as a reward God appeared to him in the form of Rishikesh hence the name. Rishikesh has numerous ashrams some of which are internationally recognized as centres of philosophical studies yoga and meditation. U.P. Tourism organizes an international yoga week here every year in February. For the adventurous there are opportunities for white water rafting on the Ganga.

Places of attraction

Rishikesh like Haridwar abounds in temples. There is Triveni Ghat, Bharat Temples, Pushkar Temple, Shatrughan Temple, Rishikund and Raghunath Temple, Venkateshwara Temples. However the real attraction lies around Rishikesh. In the scenic spots that have breathtaking  beautiful views.

Triveni Ghat: In downtown Rishikesh the Triveni Ghat is an interesting place to be at dawn. This is believed to be the confluence of the Ganga the Yamuna and the Saraswati Rivers. Devotees take a holy dip and offer prayers at the ghat. Pilgrims purify themselves in the Ganga at Triveni Ghat offering milk and feeding the fish at dawn and floating lamps after sunset for evening Ganga Aarti ceremony.

Ram Jhula: A Suspension bridge between the Shivanand Ashram and the Swargashram. It provides an alternative to a boat ride from one bank of the Ganga to another.

Bharat Mandir: The Bharat Mandir is the oldest temple in Rishikesh near the Triveni Ghat. This temple is dedicated to Bharat the younger brother of Lord Ram.

Shivanand Ashram: Near Shivanand Jhoola Shivananda Ashram was founded by Swami  Shivananda  and is under the auspices of the Divine Life Society. This is a well-known spiritual centre renowned for its discourses on spirituality. There are yoga classes daily with courses from three days to two months (all free).    

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