Rishikesh serves as the most spiritual place in India, which lies along the pious bank of the river Ganges and in the foothills of the Himalayas. Apart from it, the place is well-renowned as the "Yoga capital of the World", but non-yogis also fall in love with the place. This beautiful place lies in Uttarakhand and is popularly known as the "Gateway to Garhwal". An ideal place for spiritual lovers, Rishikesh is the ultimate blend of adventure, nature, and spirituality. Witness overlapping mountains, clear sky, ancient temples, and gushing rivers.
In Rishikesh, you could select to stay in an ashram, perform yoga and meditation, enjoy rafting and trekking, or could only relax near the shore of the river Ganga at some cafe. There are a plethora of things to explore that might be full of excitement, such as chakra balancing, massage therapy, or astrology readings. The stunning city seems more gorgeous amidst huge forests, gushing rivers, majestic mountains, and clear skies that offer the tourists a surreal experience.
Spend around 2-4 days in Rishikesh, or a little longer if you desire to grab a meditation or yoga course. The best time to visit the picturesque place is either from September-November or from March-April when the weather is comfortable and pleasant. Moreover, make sure to take part in the Rishikesh International Yoga festival that occurs during March as it would make your trip more memorable. Finally, unwind at the pious ghat and witness the tranquil Ganga aarti. Check out the entire guide that might help in your Rishikesh trip planning.
What are the best places to visit in Rishikesh?
Ram jhula is a stunning architectural marvel but less famous than Lakshman jhula. Designed in 1986, this structure expands around 750 ft long over the river Ganges that links Sivananda and Swarg Ashram. Feel the stunning view of mountains, the gushing sound of a flowing river, and the cool breeze all over the place. It experiences a huge number of tourists all around the year which makes a lovely view.
This is the most popular landmark that makes Rishikesh more beautiful, and this is a 450 ft long iron bridge that connects the district of Pauri and Tehri. Witness the most unique experience of walking over the river Ganges along with viewing the beautiful surroundings.
Founded by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi to preach the teachings of meditation and yoga to people, but it got famous after the visit of the English rock band Beatles who came to the place to learn meditation. The serenity, calmness, and pious session of meditation will leave you speechless that also includes amazing wall paintings and graffiti.
Rishikund is also known as a pond of Sages and is the holiest place in Rishikesh. It is said that the place is blessed with the river Yamuna, and Lord Rama has taken a dip during their exile. Lies amidst lush green hills, the place possesses a great ambiance and is visited by various people to seek God's blessings. It provides an amazing view of hills in the pond water.
Geeta Bhawan is considered to be the best tourist place that features a plethora of folk tales and is a famous pilgrimage site. A trip to Rishikesh is not considered to be complete without staying at this free place. Witness the large complex that is built on the Ganges bank that provides shelter to almost 100 pilgrims every day.
Experiencing Ganga aarti is a must-to-do activity in Rishikesh along with bhajan and prayer chanting with ringing bells, beating drums, and the glistening of diyas. Feel the reverberating atmosphere that is entirely sacred. The lightened diyas cast amazing images in the water, which makes it the most unforgettable moment.
For adventure lovers, river rafting seems to be the most exciting activity, and enjoy it in any season except in monsoon. Hence, the cost of river rafting varies but it remains within INR 400-1300. Experience an adrenaline rush in your entire body with river rafting and enjoy it fully.
Try out bungee jumping which includes jumping from tall buildings or cliffs, in which the body and ankles are secured with a harness. Jumpin heights in Rishikesh that lie around 83m above the Ganges serve as the highest bungee. But, this activity seems to be physically demanding, it needs proper fitness.
Campers may enjoy an amazing experience thanks to Rishikesh's clean air, stunning mountains, and serene Ganges. Camping would be one of the most soothing and therapeutic things to do in Rishikesh, from eating meals, listening to music, and playing games around the bonfire on chilly evenings to waking up to the sounds of the river and singing birds. You can go for a morning stroll and engage in several adventurous pursuits, like rafting and bodysurfing, later that day.
Cliff jumping is a common practice in Rishikesh due to the presence of cliffs of various heights close to the holy Ganges. As the name suggests, the practice entails leaping into the Ganges from a cliff that is 20 to 50 feet high. Cliff jumping is best tried in Rishikesh if you are not afraid of heights or the water. This thrilling experience is certain to delight you and become one of your favorite recollections of the location. Although it may seem easy, cliff leaping requires courage. Anyone who is physically fit, though, can give it a try.
Summer seems to be the best time to visit Rishikesh, both for people who are in search of thrilling activities and spirituality. During this season, snow from the mountains starts to melt, which fills up the rivers, which creates great flow in rivers which is an attractive point. The flora and fauna are in full bloom which makes the town more admirable. This season is certainly the best time to visit the place as you can have all sorts of experiences.
Monsoon comes with various festivals that occur in the temples of Rishikesh. Festivals such as Sawan serve as the best time to go to Rishikesh and are special for those who visit the town intending to soak into the vibrant colors of the place. Hence the rivers get flooded, and adventurous activities come to a halt during this season. And, various hotels provide several discounts, which makes the monsoon the best time to visit the place, especially for budget travelers.
Wintertime seems to be an ideal option to experience the natural beauty of the place, especially for trekkers and rock climbers. And, those who are brave enough can venture into freezing water just to indulge in rafting.
Are you wondering about how to reach Rishikesh? There are no railway stations or airports in Rishikesh, so the only option is via road. Apart from the monsoon season, the roads are always in better condition and can be traveled without a problem. Private and local buses and autos are easily available while traveling to the place, so you can select your mode of transportation according to your budget, needs, and preferences.
Board a flight to Jolly Grant airport in Dehradun - the nearest airport to Rishikesh which lies at a distance of 21km. Once you reach the airport, take a taxi from the airport to reach Rishikesh. A better mode of transportation as it saves time.
For travelers who find train journeys more exciting and comfortable, then they need to know that the nearby railway station is in Ganga Nagar. Certain major trains that travel on this route are Jan Shatabdi Express, Shatabdi Express, and Mussoorie Express. Traveling by train might take time, but it is convenient and cheap.
Rishikesh is an enchanting place where you would love to travel via road. There are a plethora of normal and private buses that run on an everyday basis from Meerut, Delhi, and other cities. From Delhi, you could reach Rishikesh in 6 hours. Self-driving is exciting, but traveling by bus saves money.
The Rishikesh trip is not considered to be complete without witnessing the majestic Maha aarti at Triveni Ghat. The entire view of the plethora of floating diyas enlightening in the river along with the mighty sound of bells, drums, and bhajan is no less than a captivating experience.
One of the most exciting things to do in Rishikesh is to grab a ticket for a late-night movie. Rama Palace is the only theater where you can have fun while watching a movie. The theater possesses all modern facilities along with great food and you can watch regional and Bollywood movies, and sometimes Hollywood movies as well.
What could be a better option other than Little Buddha Cafe to enjoy a sip of late-night brew that overlooks silhouettes and Ganges of Himalayan ranges? It is a great place that offers a wide range of savories, coffees, and desserts that allow you to hang out for hours amidst the crowd. The place is pretty cozy includes beds instead of couches, and serves to be a chilled-out place.
Enjoy the beautiful night by camping under millions of stars amidst the Shivpuri wilderness. You can even learn various survival techniques, enjoy late-night forest walks, and spot various exotic animals that only come out during the night. Apart from all this, experience music, bonfire, and barbecue amidst the wild jungle.
Camp riverside serves as a campsite that lies around 20 km away from Rishikesh. The entire camping site is engulfed with beautiful Himalayan mountains and you get a chance to camp near the banks of river Ganga. During the daytime, you could enjoy various adventurous activities like rafting and kayaking, while during the night you could enjoy a bonfire and gala time. Grab a chance to taste the local food that will make your day.
Samosa serves to be a deep-fried snack that is entirely stuffed with potato filling and the snack serves as the staple food for many people in Rishikesh. It goes well with hot cups of tea or coffee and can be found in every corner of town. Apart from potato-filled samosa, you can even try out an apple, mango, or chocolate-filled samosa. It is highly suggested to try out these varieties when you are in Rishikesh.
Rishikesh is a place well-known for its spirituality and sanctity. However, the place is also well-renowned for its varying type of sweets that are manufactured here. The sweets are produced from pure ghee that offers delicacy with every bite. The most mouth-watering sweets in Rishikesh are Besan ladoo, besan ki barfi, and nariyal barfi.
Aloo puri is a traditional breakfast that is served all over the country and Rishikesh is no different from it. The dish includes potatoes that are cooked in a delicious gravy along with deep-fried poori. Rishikesh is very popular for the aloo poori that it serves its tourists. The dish is served in dishes made up of dried leaves, which offers an organic vibe.
Experience the charm of Ganga, chants of Hindu prayers during aarti, and the scenic backdrop that refreshes the soul. Rishikesh is a blend of excitement and serenity that makes it more popular among people. Enjoy various opportunities that come your way during the trip.
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