Nirvana in Rishikesh
Best places to visit in Rishikesh, sightseeing & tourist attractions in Rishikesh
Rishikesh is a city that sometimes unfolds like a divine stage play in which the actors are bound by a single quest for divinity. Here the heaven needling spires of the temples that rise along the banks and the constant tolling of bells and chanting of hymns would convert even a ranting atheist into a believer. If yoga and meditation is your thing, then include Rishikesh, with its numerous ashrams and cultural centres, in your itinerary. The temple town on the confluence of the rivers Ganga and Chandrabhaga is the ideal gateway to the mighty Himalayas. It also serves as the launching pad for many trekking, mountaineering and white water rafting expeditions.
Map of Rishikesh: Sightseeing & Tourist Attractions in Rishikesh
What’s Famous Here:
Ganga Aarti: The Ganga aarti at Parmarth Niketan Ashram, the largest ashram in the holy city of Rishikesh, is a mystical event which unfolds on the banks of the Ganga each evening. At the heart of it all is the long-haired Swami Chidanand Saraswatiji who has a large following comprising westerners looking for their lost divinity and Indians in search of spiritual solace.
Pilgrimage: Not surprisingly, this holy city has traditionally been the place where rishis have been meditating for centuries. In modern times it has drawn pop icons like the Beatles and very recently Hollywood hunk Brad Pitt rafted down the turbulent Ganges. The city draws lesser mortals too – both foreign and Indian who bow, bathe and pray on the banks, their faces alight with a simple faith.
This is spiritual India in your face where the armless beggar and the ash-smeared sadhu glow with an inner divinity and joy. Yoga, meditation, Ganga aartis… these are the buzz words in Rishikesh and seem to be the different modes of seeking salvation. And while there are genuine centres that offer spiritual packages for troubled souls, there seem to be a number of them too whose bona fides are suspect.
River Rafting: Rishikesh today is at the heart of the adventure tourism industry particularly white water rafting and some 10 km away in Shivpuri rafting activity camps are organised in the months of April and June. It has drawn pop icons like the Beatles and very recently Hollywood hunk Brad Pitt rafted down the turbulent Ganges.
What to See: Tour package of Rishikesh sightseeing spots
Temples In Rishikesh: Everywhere you turn there are temples and shirines; to Lord Ram, Lakshman, Hanuman, Lord Shiva… even traffic islands have religious themes! There’s no getting away from God in Rishikesh! While this town and its environs are studded with temples such as the Trimbakeshwar temple, Neelkanth Mahadev, Kunjapuri Temple it is eventually Ma Ganga, the eternal mother of all rivers, the giver of life, granter of boons and succour and the cleanser of sins that is venerated here.
Bharat Temple: Since ancient times this city by the Ganga has been the place where rishis and ascetics meditated and performed penance. Lord Ram’s brother Bharat performed penance here and there is a Bharat temple here which marks the place where he meditated.
Lakshman Jhoola: His other brother Lakshman came and settled here after the Ramayana Wars and his memory is enshrined in the Lakshman Jhoola a suspension bridge that straddles the Ganga. Further upstream is Ram Jhoola.
Travel to Rishikesh: Places You Should Not Miss in Rishikesh
Local Languages: Hindi and English
Best Time to Visit: November to February
How to Reach
AIR: The closest airports are Jolly Grant near Dehradun. But Delhi airport is a much more convenient airport.
RAIL: Rishikesh is connected by rail to Dehradun and Delhi .
ROAD: Frequent buses are available from Haridwar, Dehradun, Mussoorie, Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, Badrinath, Delhi, Corbett National Park, Nainital .
Excursions from Rishikesh: Top Tourism Places Rishikesh
Rishikesh is also the gateway for the char-dham pilgrim circuit of Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri and Yamnotri. Further downstream is the other pilgrim town of Haridwar where the river Ganga leaves the Himalayas and enters the plains.
Chila Wildlife Sanctuary
Part of Rajaji National Park, the 240 sq km sanctuary is a short drive from Rishikesh.
Fishing is allowed in the well stacked river, however, one must obtain a permit first from the Forest Department.
The park is open from sunrise and after sunset and remains closed through the Monsoon months (July to November)
Dehradun
Nestled in a thickly forested valley in the foothills of the Himalayas, Dehradun brims with nostalgia of the British Raj. Even today, it is a popular holiday destination famous for its rolling hills, green pastures, fruit orchards and schools.
Haridwar
Located on the banks of the Ganga, at the point when the holy river leaves the Himalayas and enters the plains, Haridwar is considered to be one of the seven most sacred sites for Hindus. A popular center for herbal medicine and yoga, the town is dotted with a number of ashrams.
Haridwar is also one of the four venues of the mammoth Kumbh Mela.
Hotels in Rishikesh: In addition to properties of Uttaranchal Tourism, the temple town has a number of hotels and ashrams including the Garhwal Mandal, Vikas Nigam’s Ganga Resort. There are a number of private hotels and lodges that cater to all budgets.
Rishikesh Travel Packages:
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Flights to Rishikesh: The closest airports are Jolly Grant near Dehradun. But Delhi airport is a much more convenient airport.
Trains to Rishikesh: Rishikesh is connected by rail to Dehradun and Delhi .
Buses to Rishikesh:Frequent buses are available from Haridwar, Dehradun, Mussoorie, Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, Badrinath, Delhi, Corbett National Park, Nainital .
Car Hire in Rishikesh: To experience Rishikesh at your own pace you can take a care hire. Hire a cab and get enchanted by the captivating locations of Rishikesh. You can also hire a cab for excursions from Rishikesh
