Nestled at the foothills of the Himalayas, Rishikesh is a famous town in the Dehradun district of Uttarakhand. While the holy river Ganga has a huge role in making it a religious place, the lush green mountains and the emerging yoga centres across the place make it more enticing for tourism as well.
Rishikesh is considered to be the Yoga Capital of India as well as of the world. More and more health enthusiasts are visiting the town to meditate and practice yoga at the various yoga centres. Find cabs in Rishikesh easily on rYde by redBus, so you can reach the town from the airport or other places and can also visit other nearby places for an extended tour.
Mythological Connection of Rishikesh
While the town is named after Lord Vishnu in the form of Lord Hrishikesha, the town has a strong mythological connection to the Ramayana as well. It is at Garhwal, where Lord Rama is believed to have served his penance after killing Ravana. There is also the Lakshman Jhula that connects the place strongly to this dynasty and the era.
Legend says that Lord Rama and his brother Lakshmana had crossed the River Ganga and at that time it was just a jute bridge. Though there was an iron bridge built in 1889, it was washed away in floods in 1924. The present-day Rishikesh has its new iconic bridge across the mighty river that gives a picturesque view of the river, valley, and the Himalayas.
Even though the Vishnu temple is the most popular one here, there also are temples dedicated to Bharat, Lakshman and Shatrughna, the three brothers of Lord Rama. The presence of these temples and the holy river makes it one of the most popular pilgrimage sites in India. Millions of people visit here every year. At the same time, it is not just a religious place.
The Paradise for Adventure Seekers
Rishikesh has been known as a religious place for a long time until rafting and other adventurous activities started here. Now, adventure is equally important at this place where people can choose several types to indulge their adrenaline-pumping enthusiasm. The possible adventure is mainly about rafting through the Ganges which is available from grade I to IV at different places having a distance ranging from 9 km to 36 km. The other options include,
- Bungee jumping
- Hiking
- Kayaking
- Mountain biking
- Rappelling
- Rock climbing
- Zip lining
Top Places to Visit in Rishikesh
- Beatles Ashram is where the members of the Beatles Band came to visit and meditate for a few days, under the guidance of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi in 1968. This is one of the popular places to visit in Rishikesh.
- Lakshman Jhula- the hanging bridge that connects Tehri and Jonk villages is one of the unmissable attractions in Rishikesh. It is 450 ft long and has a height of 70 ft from the river.
- Neelkanth Mahadev Temple is about 32 km from Rishikesh and is a must-visit place as well. Cabs in Rishikesh will easily take you here.
- Neer Garh Waterfall is a beautiful place to be. You will be rewarded with a mesmerising view of the blue water falling down a smaller cliff with a beautiful background created by the mountains and green forest.
- Parmarth Niketan Ashram, the largest in Rishikesh is for meditation, yoga and other spiritual activities. The peaceful ambience could very well be what you seek, especially if you live in a crowded city.
- Ram Jhula is another iron suspension bridge, 2 km away from the Lakshman Jhula. This is also 450 ft long and 70 ft high but connects Shivananda Nagar and Swargashram.
- Triveni Ghat is the confluence of three holy rivers of Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati. The ghat witnesses the spiritual vision of Ganga Arti every evening. This is a spectacle that no one would want to miss.
- Vasishta Cave is believed to be where the Sage Vasishta used to meditate. It is a spiritual place to visit.
Best Time to Visit Rishikesh
February to May is considered the best time to visit Rishikesh. If you do not mind the weather, you can choose the months from October to February as well. But you may visit here at any time of the year but sometimes, the climate could be playing against you with extreme cold or torrential rain. These above-mentioned months will have more comfortable weather conditions so you can enjoy all that you expected to.
Apart from these months, the festivals such as Basant Panchami when the idol of Bharat is taken out to have a holy bath at the Maya Kund, Holi, Diwali, and even Kumbh Mela are some of the festivals that see more footfall here in Rishikesh.
How to Reach Rishikesh?
Rishikesh has its closest airport at Dehradun which is a mere 30 km from here. You can take cabs to Rishikesh from the airport, or other nearby areas including Haridwar, Saharanpur etc. RTC buses will be available for a cheaper ride to reach Rishikesh. After arriving here, you can opt for cabs in Rishikesh for a more private tour. Trains are available only to Haridwar and from there you must either take a bus or a cab. Cabs will be more convenient as they can take you back to the railway station after the tour. You can find cheaper and more reliable taxi service in Rishikesh with rYde by redBus. You can check out the details at the rYde portal.
Conclusion
Rishikesh is likely to be part of most of the religious tour packages to the northern part of India. You may visit here for 2-3 days, an entire week, or an extended tour as you see fit. Many of the ashrams and yoga centres allow you to stay longer for a spiritual awakening. Rishikesh is an ideal place for both spiritual and adventure trips. The availability of cabs in Rishikesh makes it a little more convenient for a private trip. The endless options for activities here make it a wonderful place to hang out with friends or family.