Rishikesh is one of the holiest towns in Uttarakhand. Together with Haridwar, Rishikesh is a huge tourist destination for Indian and international travelers. Rishikesh is famous for its Yoga schools and Ayurvedic medicines. Sages and saints have meditated on the banks of the Ganga in Rishikesh since mythological times.
Rishikesh is full of tourists at the time of the Haridwar Kumbh Mela. Rishikesh is also one of the finest adventure destinations. Tourists come here for adventurous activities and also to seek spiritual guidance and meditation. Rishikesh is the best toured with Uttarakhand holiday packages. You must tour all the given places in Rishikesh on your tour of Uttarakhand.
Laxman Jhula is built at the place where Laxmana, brother of Lord Ram, threw two jute ropes to cross the Ganga. It is a hanging bridge that people still use today to cross the Ganga. The famous temples in Rishikesh like Tera Manzil Mandir and Laxman Temple are very close to Laxman Jhula. Laxman Jhula is one of the oldest attractions in Rishikesh. It is close to vehicles and is used by tourists to walk on it. There are bazaars on both sides of Laxman Jhula where you might buy puja items, devotional books, jewelry, and handicraft goods.
Neelkanth Mahadev Temple is a very popular temple in Rishikesh. The temple is on top of a hill. The walls of this temple are painted with scenes of Samudra Manthan. There are paintings of various Hindu deities also. Neelkanth Mahadev Temple is built at the place where Lord Shiva consumed poison to save the world. Neelkanth Mahadev Temple is a temple of Neelkanth Mahadev, where Neelkanth means the throat of Lord Shiva which turned blue due to the poison. The shiv linga is considered to be very holy devotees come from near and far to pray here.
The Beatles Ashram in Rishikesh is the place where the famous international musical band the Beatles lived and meditated. This is the same ashram where the renowned spiritual guru Maharishi Mahesh Yogi taught Yoga and meditation techniques to students. The ashram complex has a library, kitchen, temple, meditation chambers, and a house where Maharishi Mahesh Yogi lived.
Tera Manzil Mandir is a thirteen-storey temple that is just opposite Laxman Jhula in Rishikesh. The striking architecture of this temple draws tourists to visit it. Every floor is devoted to a Hindu deity and every one of its thirteen floors has several idols of Hindu gods and goddesses. Tera Manzil Mandir is also famous as Trimbakeshwar Temple. The top floor offers scenic views of Rishikesh.
Triveni Ghat is a sacred ghat or bathing place on the banks of Ganga in Rishikesh. It is a place where you can have a holy dip in the Ganga and refresh yourself before you go for sightseeing tours of Rishikesh. The Ganga Aarti at Triveni Ghat is a celebration of lights. The loud chanting of mantras, the huge gathering of devotees, and the clash of cymbals produce an atmosphere of devotion at the time of Ganga Aarti. You can take a boat ride at Triveni Ghat and see the beauty of India’s holiest of rivers.
Ram Jhula is another famous bridge in Rishikesh. This is a suspension bridge that is built over the Ganga. All other tourist attractions like Beatles Ashram, Shivananda Ashram, Geeta Bhawan, and Yog Niketan are near Ram Jhula. You can have scenic views of the Ganga flowing below this bridge and the various temples and tourist spots in Rishikesh from Ram Jhula.
Bharat Mandir is a Vishnu temple in Rishikesh. Adi Shankaracharya installed the main idol in 789 AD. Bharat Mandir is widely regarded as one of the oldest temples in Rishikesh. Lord Hrishikesh Narayan is the main deity of this temple. Bharat Mandir is famous since the mythological ages, and it is even mentioned in Hindu scriptures like the Vedas and Puranas. The trees here are said to be nearly 300 years old and are considered to be forms of Brahma, Vishnu, and Mahesh, the trinity of Hindu gods. There is a small museum on the temple premises where you can view various artifacts, sculptures, and pottery that were unearthed here during excavations.
Shivpuri is a small town near Rishikesh which is famous for its adventurous activities. White water rafting is the most exciting activity you can do in Shivpuri. The rushing rapids in the Ganga are thrilling to do river rafting. But you can also do several other activities here like rock climbing, roller coaster rides, cliff jumping, body surfing, beach walks, trekking, jungle exploration, etc. You can go for a day trek to Neer Waterfall from Shivpuri. But for more relaxation, you can do meditation and Yoga at temples nearby.
Kaudiyala is a place near Rishikesh which is best for adventure lovers. It is on the banks of the Ganga and the sandy banks of the Ganga are best for camping, river rafting, beach games like volleyball, rappelling, trekking, and rock climbing. There are many camps here where you can stay overnight and see the beautiful landscapes all around you. The sounds of Ganga flowing nearby and the sands are great for relaxation and natural beauty.
Rishi Kund is a natural spring that is said to be blessed and holy. The sacred pond here was built by a local saint and was blessed by Goddess Yamuna by filling the pond with its holy waters. Rishi Kund is a peaceful place that you can visit on your trip to Rishikesh. One very interesting thing about Rishi Kund is that it always reflects the Raghunath Temple. The temple is dedicated to Lord Ram and Devi Sita.
Geeta Bhawan is located on the banks of the Ganga. This is a center where tourists can come and attend spiritual lectures and learn meditation. Geeta Bhawan offers accommodation to its guests and meals at a nominal cost. Tourists who want to practice meditation and gain knowledge through discourses and lectures can stay here at Geeta Bhawan. They can buy and read spiritual and devotional books in the book shop at Geeta Bhawan.
Muni ki Reti means ‘Sands of the Sages’. It is a small town near Rishikesh and is said to be the place where sages and rishis used to meditate in the olden days. Muni ki Reti has numerous ashrams, Yoga centers, Ayurvedic clinics, temples, and meditation centers. This place is located on the banks of the Ganga and is easily accessible after Ram Jhula was opened to the public in 1986.
Byasi is some 30 km from Rishikesh and this is a small village that is full of forests and natural scenery. Adventure lovers can do river rafting here at Byasi. The waters of the Ganga flow with tremendous force here which is best for white water rafting. You can camp here on the banks of the Ganga. There are several restaurants and street shops offering street food.
Parmarth Niketan is an ashram which is dedicated to spiritualism and meditation. It is on the banks of the Ganga and was established in 1942 by Swami Shukdevanand Saraswati. Parmath Niketan is a center that teaches its students various Hindu ways of life. It uses music therapy, Yoga, meditation techniques, Ayurveda, exercises, and many other courses to heal a person spiritually and physically. People can find accommodation here.
Lakshman Temple is near Lakshman Jhula and this temple is among the top places to visit in Rishikesh. It is built at the place where Lakshman meditated. It is also the place where he built the original Laxman Jhula by throwing two jute ropes to cross the Ganga. The interiors of Lakshman Temple have sculptures and paintings on the walls.
Vashishta Gufa or Vashishta Cave is an ancient cave that was used by Sage Vashishta to meditate. Even today, those who want to meditate in Rishikesh visit Vashishta Gufa due to its peaceful atmosphere. There is a shiva linga in the cave. Purshottamanand Ashram manages Vashishta Gufa. Swami Purshottamanand decided to take over the responsibility to manage this cave in 1930.
Kunjapuri Devi Temple is a temple of Shakti, the mother goddess in Rishikesh. The temple is on top of a hill, and there are steps to climb up to the temple. Kunjapuri Temple is one of the 52 Shakti Peeths in India, and it is believed that the chest of Sati fell at this place. The temple is also a Siddha Peeth and one of the trinity of temples that make the Seedh Peeth. You can view the mountain peaks of Swarg Rohini, Banderpoonch, Gangotri, and Chaukhamba from Kunjapuri Temple.
Sivananda Ashram is near Ram Jhula in Rishikesh. It is on the road to Badrinath. Sivananda Ashram is a top Yoga center and students here learn Yoga, meditation, spiritual programs, and courses. It offers rooms for stay and daily activities at this ashram including Satsang and meditation classes. The bookshop has a wide variety of books relating to various subjects like Hindu philosophy, Vedic culture, spirituality, etc.
Omkarananda Ashram in the town of Muni ki Reti. This ashram has a very peaceful atmosphere where you can relax and enjoy the beautiful place. A saint called Paramhansa Omkarananda Saraswati founded this ashram in 1967. The ashram offers various discourses and lectures on Gita. Omkarananda Ashram is a center of Iyengar Yoga. Daily aarti is performed in this ashram and classes on Yoga are held here for students.
Swarg Ashram is near Ram Jhula in Rishikesh. A famous saint called Swami Vishudhanand, who is popular as Kali Kamli Wala founded this ashram. There are many temples and ashrams here, and people can be seen meditating, praying, doing Yoga exercises, and doing various spiritual activities. Swarg Ashram also performs other activities like birth and death ceremonies, religious processions, singing bhajans and kirtans, etc. Rooms are available for stay for students and travelers.
Phool Chatti Waterfall is like a hidden waterfall in Rishikesh. The cascading waters fall into a stream of water, making it a very scenic waterfall. The waterfall is on the route to Neelkantha Mahadev Temple. There is a temple of Garuda from where you can start your trek to this waterfall. Phool Chatti Waterfall is also a place where you can bathe in the cool waters and do camping.
Himshail Waterfalls is near Swargashram in Rishikesh. This is a very picturesque waterfall with the scenic beauty of nature. There are rocks where you can sit and bathe in the waterfall. The place is ideal for relaxing in greenery and peace. There is a cave called Tat Baba Cave near the waterfall. There are green forests around this waterfall.
Patna Waterfall is in a village near Rishikesh. The waterfall is on the road to Neelkantha Mahadev Temple. The waterfall dries up during the summer season. The trek to this waterfall is a little tough. There are limestone caves near this waterfall. This waterfall is not easy to reach as there are no proper signboards to show the direction to this waterfall.
One of the most beautiful waterfalls that you can visit in Rishikesh is Garudchatti Waterfall. The waterfall is in an area of lush green forests. Garudchatti Waterfall is named after Garud Temple which is near this waterfall. There are many points from which the water flows down and this is what makes Garudchatti Waterfall so scenic and beautiful.
One of the famous treks that you can go to from Rishikesh is Kuari Pass Trek. The trek goes through oak forests and offers magnificent views of snow-capped Himalayan mountain peaks. Kuari Pass is a mountain pass with moderate elevation. Landscapes keep on changing on this trek, from green meadows and forests to glaciers and high Himalayan mountains. You will find several camping sites on this trek like Chitrakantha and Khullara meadows, Gulling, and Tali. The trekking trail is perfect for beginners. Kuari Pass Trek is a 6 to 7 days trek, which goes through some of the best places in the Garhwal Himalayas.
Vanaprastha Ashram is in the Swargashran complex and this is one of the many peaceful places in Rishikesh. The ashram was founded by Baba Kali Kamli Wale to offer spiritual guidance to people. The ashram offers accommodation facilities to students and daily classes and courses in various disciplines such as spirituality, meditation, Yoga sciences, Vedic culture, etc. There is a garden with pathways to walk and well-maintained lawns.
Neer Garh Waterfall is also called Neer Gadu. This a natural waterfall which is located on the highway to Badrinath. The waterfall is very picturesque and the sight of water cascading down the rocks is a beauty. Tourists can be seen bathing in the pool below the waterfall. The waterfall is best seen in the monsoon season. You can trek about 5 to 7 km from Rishikesh to visit this waterfall. You will see butterflies on the flowers around this waterfall.
Raghunath Temple is a temple in Rishikesh. Lord Ram and Devi Sita are the main deities of this temple. The name of this temple is derived from Raghunath, which is another name for Lord Ram. Raghunath Temple is located near Triveni Ghat, which is famous for its Ganga Aarti. Various religious ceremonies like birth and death ceremonies, mundan ceremonies, etc are offered in this temple. There is a kund of a water tank here called Rishi Kund where many devotees believe that Lord Ram used to bathe here. It is also a popular belief that Yamuna and Saraswati rivers join here with the Ganga river.
Swami Dayanand Ashram is one of the ashrams that you can visit in Rishikesh. It is located near Ram Jhula. This is a historic ashram as Swami Dayanand Saraswati established it in the 1960s. Swami Dayanand Ashram offers various courses on spiritual growth and Vedic rituals. Students can find accommodation here at nominal rates. There is a temple inside and a bookstore where you can buy books. Yoga sessions are held here daily and spiritual courses and Vedic chanting and mantras are taught to students.
Sadhaka Grama Ashram is a spiritual learning center and retreat near Ram Jhula in Rishikesh. A well-known Yoga guru and writer called Swami Rama 1966 founded Sadhaka Grama Ashram. The ashram offers various courses on personal transformation, meditation, Yoga psychology, the art of living, Science of Joyful Living. Students receive personal attention and guidance in their path to spiritual growth. Sadhaka Grama Ashram is a very beautiful place with ponds, gardens, mango trees, and flowers. There are rooms for students and separate dormitories for male and female students. Devotional bhajans and kirtans are held here daily. Students can be seen chanting prayers and Vedic mantras.
Osho Ganga Dham Ashram is a famous ashram in Rishikesh. Its also known as Acharya Rajneesh founded this ashram for people who want to grow spiritually and find mental peace. Osho Ganga Dham Ashram is at Brahmapuri on the road to Badrinath. The banks of Ganga make the locale of this ashram very scenic and peaceful. Meditation camps are held here and meditation practices are taught to students. Rooms and meals are offered by the ashram to students.
Phool Chatti Ashram is on the road to Neelkantha Mahadev Temple in Rishikesh. It means a place of flowers and this is the meaning behind the name of the ashram. Sadhu Sri Devi Dayal Maharaj founded this ashram around 120 years ago. The ashram offers various courses on Yoga, Pranayama techniques, and meditation. Rooms are available for students with meals at an affordable fee. Devotees and students participate in singing bhajans and aarti at the ashram. The peaceful atmosphere of this ashram is very helpful in learning Yoga and meditation.
Nirmal Ashram is in Rishikesh and this ashram runs hospitals and medical camps for the welfare of the people. Mahant Buddha Singhji Maharaj founded this ashram in 1903 in the Mayakund area of Rishikesh. The ashram runs two schools, an eye hospital, and runs medical camps are various places in and around Rishikesh. There is a gurudwara inside the premises of this ashram. Students and devotees sing aarti and bhajans daily and make the atmosphere devotional and pure. Rooms are offered for accommodation to students. Guru Nanak Jayanti is celebrated with devotional songs and kirtans.
Madhuban Ashram is in Muni ki Reti in Rishikesh. Lord Krishna is worshipped here in this ashram. This ashram is also called ISKCON Temple. Every day, devotees sing songs to praise Lord Krishna in this ashram. Sri Bhaktiyog Maharaj runs and maintains this ashram. The ashram offers rooms for a stay to students. There is a restaurant in the ashram that is famous for its tasty dishes and hospitality. Janmashtami is celebrated with great devotion in this ashram. Rath Yatra is also organized by this ashram every year. Competitions are organized during festivals.
Himalayan Yog Ashram is a spiritual place in Rishikesh where Yoga is taught along with meditation. Swami Hanuman Giri founded this ashram. Himalayan Yog Ashram is near Rishikesh and the atmosphere here is very calm and soothing to the senses. The ashram offers rooms and meals for its guests.
Andhra Ashram is near Laxman Jhula in Rishikesh, South Indian people who want to know the local language and culture run this ashram. Swami Sachchidananda Saraswathy founded this ashram in 1930 for pilgrims who are from Andhra Pradesh. There are two temples in the ashram called Sri Venkateswaravari Temple and Sri Chandramouleshwara Temple. Rooms are available for visitors. The ashram has mango trees where different mango species are grown. Daily aartis are sung by devotees and Bhandara and Brahmotsavams are organized by this ashram on the occasion of the death anniversary of the founder.
Anand Prakash Ashram is in the Tapovan area in Rishikesh. Yogrishi Vishvketu and Chetana Panwar founded the ashram in 2007. The ashram is situated in the natural greenery of forests and mountains. The ashram offers various courses in Yogic techniques. Students can learn different methods of practicing Yoga and can stay in rooms. The ashram offers and teaches a unique Yogic technique called Akhanda Yoga.
Jumpin Heights is a place of adventurous activities in Rishikesh, The various adventure activities that you can do here are Flying Fox, Bungee Jumping, Giant Swing, and others. A team of expert professionals from New Zealand runs Jumpin Heights. Asia’s longest Flying Fox which is 1 km long is in Jumpin Heights.
Virbhadra Temple is a temple of Virbhadra, which is a fierce form of Lord Shiva. It is widely believed to be around 1300 years old temple in Rishikesh. Mahashivratri is celebrated here with chanting of prayers and mantras. The temple organizes special poojas and Jagrans during the occasions of Hindu sacred festivals like Shivratri and Saawan.
Jadh Ganga trek is one of the best treks in Uttarakhand. This is a difficult trek requiring the trekkers to have peak physical fitness and knowledge of mountaineering and rock climbing. You will pass through some of the most scenic places on this trek. The sight of waterfalls, river streams, rocky mountains, and glaciers makes this trek more exciting. Jadh Ganga trek takes you to Nag Tibba and Aglar Valley. Henrik Harrer and his fellow prisoners used this trek route while escaping from a prison in Dehradun.
Important link: best time to visit Rishikesh
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