Rishikesh – The Yoga Capital of the world, The Getaway of the Himalayas and the Land of Sages, is a beautiful city situated in Uttarakhand. Popular for bungee jumping, white water rafting, yoga centres, temples, Ganga Aarti and Triveni Sangam, Rishikesh is one of the most beautiful sacred places in India. There are plenty of places to see in Rishikesh, so you will not run out of things to do in the city too fast.
Rishikesh is considered the gateway to Chota Charm Dham including Kedarnath, Badrinath, Gangotri and Yamunotri. According to the legends, Rishikesh is the place where Lord Shiva drank the poison that came out during the churning of the ocean. Sounds exciting then there is a lot more to see and do in Rishikesh. So let’s see which are the best places to see in Rishikesh.
Best Time To Visit Rishikesh
Except for the monsoon season, Rishikesh is best to visit at any time of the year. During summer when the snow starts fading out one can enjoy the picturesque beauty of Rishikesh along with adventurous water sports while during winter you can admire the tourist attractions of Rishikesh at its peak. So, the best time to visit Rishikesh will depend on the what you want to visit –
- Best time to visit Rishikesh for white water rafting – March to June (19 to 36 deg Celsius) and September to November (20 to 28 deg Celsius) is the best time to visit Rishikesh.
- Best time to visit Rishikesh to enjoy the tourist attractions – September to Mid May is the best time to visit Rishikesh when the temperature ranges from 7 to 32 deg Celsius.
The Best Places To See In Rishikesh
Lakshman Jhula
450 feet long and 70 feet High, Lakshman Jhula is rated as the top landmark of Rishikesh. It is an iron-made suspension bridge that connects the Topvan and Jonk. According to the legends, this is the place where the younger brother of Lord Rama, Lakshman crossed the river Ganges.
While walking on the bridge you enjoy the splendid views of the River Ganges and the famous Tera Manzil temple, which is quite famous for capturing instagrammable pictures.
Ram Jhula
Like Lakshman Jhula, Ram Jhula is another famous bridge in Rishikesh which is used for crossing the Ganges. This bridge also supports 2 wheeler traffic. Also, a great place to admire the surrounding beauty including the river Ganges and local handicrafts markets.
Triveni Ghat
After starting from Devprayag when the Ganges river reaches Rishikesh with water of many rivers then it meets the Yamuna and Saraswati rivers at Triveni Ghat. Triveni means where three sacred river meets.
According to the legends, this is the place where lord Krishan rested for some time after being injured by an arrow of Jara.
In the morning and evening, Ganga Aarti is performed here which is also known as Maha Aarti. Therefore, if you want to feel the magical experience of Ganga Aarti then you should visit Triveni Ghat in Rishikesh.
A great way to experience the spiritual culture of Rishikesh is through a guided tour with a local.
Neer Waterfall
10 KM away from the Rishikesh railway station, Neer waterfall is located on the Rishikesh – Badrinath Highway. On the way from Rishikesh to Badrinath, you will see the board of Neer Waterfall on the main road itself.
During day time, you’ll find it full of tourists. If you’re fond of photography and love to spend time on a chilled refreshing waterfall then don’t skip the Neer waterfall, especially in the summer season. There is a pool at the bottom of the fall where you can enjoy swimming.
The way to reach the waterfall itself is amazing as it is surrounded by jungles and streams. You have to trek 1 KM to reach the Neer waterfall 1 and 2 KM for the Neer Waterfall 2 and 3 KM to the third one.
- Entry Fees – 30 INR
Neelkanth Mahadev Temple
Neelkanth Mahadev temple is another best place to see in Rishikesh. At the height of 1330 meters on the hill, Neelkanth Mahadev temple is situated on the hill of Swarg Aashram. As the name implies, this temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva.
This temple represents the great saga of ocean churning. According to Hindu mythology, this is the place where Lord Shiva consumed the poison that came out during the churning of the ocean. Due to that, his throat turned into blue colour hence this temple is named Neelkanth Mahadev Temple. On the premises of the temple, there is a freshwater spring where devotees use to take baths before worshipping.
Parmarth Niketan
A trip to Rishikesh can’t be complete without visiting the yoga centre and Parmath Niketan is the most famous yoga centre in Rishikesh. It is the most visited place in Rishikesh by foreigners.
On the premises of Ashram, there is a school that still follows the traditional Indian style of education. There are both free and paid facilities available to the travellers for stay. Overall, it is a great place to sit and find inner peace.
If you are interested in yoga in Rishikesh, check out the following activities:
The Beatles Ashram
Located in Rajaji National park near River Ganges, Beatles Ashram is a scenic place to visit in Rishikesh. Initially, till 1968 this park was known as Maharishi Mahesh Yogi Ashram but after the Beatles visited it in 1968, it became famous as The Beatles Ashram.
The serene and peaceful environment of this place attracts people from all around who are looking for a place to meditate. Also, there you can indulge in trekking, nature walks and bird watching as well.
- Entry Tickets – INR 150 for Indians and INR 600 for foreigners.
Shivpuri
Located 19 KM from Rishikesh, Shivpuri is a popular place to visit in Rishikesh, especially for white water rafting. Surrounded by the lofty mountains and lush green jungles, Shivpuri is a small yet beautiful village near Rishikesh. It is a perfect blend of adventure and peace. Thrill-seekers can enjoy white water rafting, body surfing, camping and Kayaking while peace seekers can indulge themselves in yoga and meditation.
Top Things To Do In Rishikesh
River Rafting
River Rafting is the most popular thing to do in Rishikesh. The feeling of the rapids of the river Ganges while sitting on the rafting boats is something that every adventure lover craves. The distances for rafting in Rishikesh are 16 KM, 22 KM and 32 KM.
I’ve done rafting in the Beas river of Manali and the Indus river of Ladakh but rafting in the river Ganga has its different charm. Amidst the 16 KM stretch (Shivpuri to Laxman Jhula), you’ll enjoy the rapids from grade I to grade IV. Therefore, Rishikesh is rated as the best rafting spot in India.
There are various spots around Rishikesh for rafting depending on the lengths and grade level –
- Brahampuri Club house to Rishikesh Rafting – 9 Kms
- Shivpuri to Rishikesh Rafting – 16 Kms
- Marine Drive to Rishikesh Rafting – 26 Kms
- Kaudiyala to Rishikesh Rafting – 35 KMs
Bungee Jumping
Rishikesh has India’s highest, oldest and most reliable jumping spot at Mohan Chatti. Located just 25 KM away from Rishikesh, Mohan Chatti is a beautiful place surrounded by the Shivalik mountain range. It is designed by experts from New Zealand.
The jump here is from a fixed spot and it is about 83 meters above ground level. You can try reverse bungee jumping at the same place in Rishikesh. After the bungee jump, you’ll be rewarded with the Dare To Jump certification along with a badge.
Cliff Jumping
If bungee jumping is too much for you then you can go cliff jumping in Rishikesh. Just 2 KM from Laxman Jhula in the lower part of the Brahmapuri stretch, there is the most popular cliff jumping spot in Rishikesh. It can be enjoyed along with rafting down the river Ganges. It is a great activity to face the fear of height and water as the life jacket ensures that you don’t drown.
- Best time for cliff Jumping in Rishikesh – March to June.
Camping
No matter whether you’re on a backpacking trip with friends or come here with family or loved ones, camping is the most famous thing to do in Rishikesh. Spending a night on the bank of the river Ganges with beautiful shining stars and waking up in the morning with the chirping of birds and watching the amazing sunrise in between the high mountain peaks is the experience you don’t want to miss. There are various campsites in Rishikesh that cost you anywhere between INR 700 to 5000 for a night depending on the luxury and location.
Magical Experience of Ganges Aarti
Whenever you’re in Rishikesh don’t forget to experience the worship of the holy river Ganges which is known as Ganga Aarti. Triveni Ghat and Parmarth Niketan are two famous places to witness the Ganga Aarti in Rishikesh. Ganga Aarti at Parmath Niketan attracts more devotees towards it compared to Triveni Ghat.
Watching the hundreds of floating diyas in the Ganges along with the melody of ringing bells is truly a blissful experience.
Timings – 5:30 AM to 6: 30 AM in the morning and 6 PM to 7 PM during the evening.
Don’t Forget to Get an Ayurvedic Massage
Rishikesh is also famous for Ayurveda and due to that, there are various well-known Ayurvedic centres that help to relieve your stress. An Ayurvedic massage uses various herbal oils that are not only beneficial for your skin but eliminate body impurities and calm nerves. So, whenever you’re in Rishikesh don’t forget to experience this amazing activity.
You can also try an Ayurvedic cooking class, to learn how to eat cleaner and improve your health.
How To Reach Rishikesh?
Rishikesh is located in the Dehradun district of the Indian state of Uttarakhand. Being a popular tourist attraction, reaching there is not a big deal. There are 3 ways to reach Rishikesh –
By Train – Train is the most convenient and cheapest way to reach Rishikesh. Haridwar has one of the biggest railway stations in India that is located just 23 KM away from Rishikesh. It is well connected to most of the major cities of India. After reaching Haridwar you can easily get a train to Rishikesh.
By Bus – Bus is another good way to reach Rishikesh. There are many direct buses from Delhi or Dehradun to Rishikesh.
By Flight – Dehradun has the nearest airport to Rishikesh which is located just 21 KM away. Dehradun airport is well connected to all major airports in India. From there you can easily reach Rishikesh by taxi or bus.
Distance from nearby cities –
- Delhi to Rishikesh – 263 KM
- Dehradun To Rishikesh – 44 KM
- Haridwar to Rishikesh – 25 KM
Where To Stay In Rishikesh?
From Ashram to luxurious hotels and resorts to picturesque campsites, Rishikesh is filled with various kinds of accommodations on different budgets. For budget travellers, there are many Ashrams like Parmath Niketan, Swarg Aashram, Geeta Bhavan and Madhuvan Ashram where you can stay for free with hygienic food and rooms. If you don’t want the free option then there are rooms available for rent as well in both AC and NON AC options.
For luxury travellers and honeymoon couples, there are many 5 star hotels and resorts like Veda5 Ayurveda & Yoga Retreat, The Vilana hotel, Taj Rishikesh Resort & Spa and The Neeraj River Forest Resort where you will get all the premium amenities.
For backpackers, there are some good hostels in Rishikesh like goStops, Zostel, Live Free, Shiva Shakti, the Hosteller, Moustache are just name of few.
Where To Eat In Rishikesh?
Since Rishikesh is popular among tourists and crowded throughout the year, you can expect lots of quaint cafes, restaurants and roadside stalls to fill your tummy. Samosa, Aloo Puri, Masala Chai, Chole Bhature, Sweets, Dosa and Pani Puri are some of the most famous street food in Rishikesh that you must try. Here I listed some of the most famous cafes to eat in Rishikesh:
- Chotiwala Restaurant – Since 1958, Chotiwala has been the best option for food lovers in Rishikesh, especially those who love home style meals. The North Indian Thalis and Garhwali dishes are the main highlights of this restaurant.
- Little Buddha Cafe – If you want to have delicious food while watching the amazing views of the river Ganges then Little Buddha Cafe is the place you should go.
- Pappu Lassi – Located on the main bazaar road in Mayakund, Pappu Lassi is the best place to enjoy lassi in Rishikesh. The taste is yummy while the price is affordable. If you’re looking for an energy drink in the morning before rafting then you should go to Pappu Lassi.
Madras Cafe, Freedom Cafe, Honey Nut Nature’s Cafe, Flavors Restaurants, Ganga beach restaurant and Tulsi Restaurant are some of the best places to eat in Rishikesh. If you want to delve more into the local food scene, consider taking a food tour in Rishikesh.
Summary
With a wide range of adventurous activities, sacred temples, yoga ashrams, staying options and cafes, Rishikesh is one of the best places to visit in India. If you’re looking to relax and relieve from the hustle of daily life then come here and join the yoga centres where you not only get outer peace but get the inner peace that will calm your soul.
The soothing sound of the river Ganges will fill you with the joy and peace that everyone seeks in today’s hectic life. Overall, Rishikesh is perfect for all kinds of travellers and will have something for your interest too.
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Yoga is love! A lot of fun activities there, thanks for sharing these!
My in-laws always talks about Rishikesh. This is an detailed blog about this amazing place. Would love to visit this place. Thanks for sharing.