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Rishikesh Travel Guide
Located at the foothills of the Himalayas, Rishikesh is one of the most sacred places in the country. Known as the ‘Yoga Capital of the World’, this place is visited not only by the yogis, but also by tourists. Whether you are a nature lover or an adventure lover, a visit to Rishikesh will be a great experience for you. Once you are here, you can learn yoga or stay in an Ashram. This is also a perfect spot for the adventurous souls, as they will enjoy many adventure activities here, such as trekking, white water rafting, bungee jumping, kayaking, etc. Rishikesh became popular due to the Beatles’ visit here in the 1960s. It is also known to be the gateway to numerous Himalayan treks.
Best Places to Visit in Rishikesh
A few places that you can visit in Rishikesh are as follows:
Triveni Ghat
Located on the banks of the Ganges, Triveni Ghat is one of the biggest ghats in Rishikesh. Maha Aarti is performed at this place every evening. According to Hindu mythology, Triveni Ghat is mentioned in the Ramayana and Mahabharata epics and is one of the important ghats in Rishikesh. It is a cremation spot for Lord Krishna. The devotees not only take the holy dips in the Ganga here, but also offer milk to the river and feed the fish of the ghat.
Lakshman Jhula
Another place to visit during your Rishikesh tour is Lakshman Jhula. It is considered a popular hanging bridge that connects 2 villages —Jonk and Tapovan, which fall in the Tehri Garhwal and Pauri Garhwal districts. The bridge is 450 feet long and is constructed with the help of iron and steel. It is located at an elevation of 70 feet above the Ganga River. However, this jhula is closed permanently due to the risk to the safety of the tourists. A new glass bridge is being constructed adjacent to the Lakshaman Jhula. However, the jhula is still used by the pedestrians.
Shree Neelkanth Mahadev Temple
It is one of the most revered Hindu temples, which is dedicated to Lord Shiva. Shree Neelkanth Mahadev Temple is situated in Pauri Garhwal, which is approximately 7 km from the Swarg Ashram. Pilgrims have a great reverence for this sacred place. It is believed to be the exact spot where Lord Shiva drank the poison during the ‘Samudra Manthan’. Due to the poison, Shiva’s throat turned blue, which is why he is called Neelkanth.
Beatles Ashram
Another worth exploring place in Rishikesh is the Beatles Ashram, which is only 1 km from the Ram Jhula. The Beatles used to live in this ashram in the year 1968 and wrote many songs at this place. The ashram complex has a temple, a kitchen, or library, and the house of Maharishi Yogi and meditation huts. Most buildings here are in poor condition, but have colorful graffiti on their walls. You will also find a café and a gallery here.
Ram Jhula
Constructed in the year 1986, Ram Jhula is a suspension bridge that connects Shivananda Nagar to Swargashram. This bridge is an architectural marvel that offers a beautiful view of the Ganges.
Neer Garh Waterfall
This waterfall is located in the midst of a dense forest. You need to trek about one kilometer to reach here. If you are an adventurous soul, you will enjoy trekking to this area.
Best Time to Visit Rishikesh
Rishikesh in Summer (March to May)
Summers are extremely hot in Rishikesh with temperatures ranging from 15 degrees to 40 degrees Celsius. The early summer time is perfect for camping and adventure activities. The hot weather in April to May makes it difficult for you to explore Rishikesh. However, it is the best time for the water rafting activity.
Rishikesh in Winter (October to February)
Winter is the ideal time to visit Rishikesh. During this season, the temperature remains between 20° C and 6° C. Thus, the weather is pleasant during this time, which makes it easy for travelers to explore this place. Those who want to indulge in adventure activities must visit this place during this season. Winter is not severe in Rishikesh. However, you need to wear layers of clothing if you want to trek here. You can also experience the natural beauty of this area if you plan to explore Rishikesh in winter.
Rishikesh in Monsoon (June to September)
The monsoon season is also good to visit Rishikesh, as a large number of tourists visit it during this period. Many religious events are organized here in the monsoon. However, it is not an ideal time to explore Rishikesh. This city experiences heavy rainfall. Thus, water sports activities are closed during this time. It is also not a suitable time for hiking or trekking.
Shopping in Rishikesh
There are many places in Rishikesh where you can buy a variety of things, such as jewelry, colorful textiles, and handicrafts. Some of the best places for shopping in Rishikesh are:
Shiv Gauri Pashmina World
This is the perfect destination for you if you want to buy luxury shawls, carpets, cashmere scarves, Indian handicrafts, and block-print bed sheets. Apart from that, you can also buy precious stones, hand-embroidered shawls, and silk jackets here. Rishikesh is highly popular for its quality of goods. Also, the prices of these articles are in sync with your budget.
Laxman Jhula Market
This is a shopper’s paradise as you will find a lot of items to buy here. You can find a variety of items here, such as attractive jewelry, beautiful clothes, and colorful bags, etc. This is a great place for shopping. However, the market is closed on Thursdays. Hence, shop here on other days except Thursday.
Shri Gandhi Asharam Khadi Bhandar
If you want to buy Khadi items in Rishikesh, you must head to Shri Gandhi Ashram Khadi Bhandar. You will find a complete range of Jackets, shampoos, handbags, khadi kurtas, and Khadi décor products in this market.
Sudha Chandran Mahal
This is an ultimate shopping destination where you can find a variety of necklaces, stones, and decorative items. Sudha Chandran Mahal has a great collection of gemstones and jewelry. Thus, you can head to this market if you are looking for an exclusive collection of gemstones and handcrafted decorative items.
Tapovan Market
This is another vibrant market in Rishikesh, which is popular among these tourists. You will find beautiful ethnic jewelry and colorful tie-dye clothing in this market. Moreover, you can buy Ayurvedic products, yoga gear, and other spiritual items in the Tapovan Market.
Gole Market
This is another hub where you can purchase the best accessories. This evening market is famous for many articles such as kurtas, salwar suits, sarees, dupattas, lehangas, etc. Apart from beautiful clothes, you can also buy traditional Indian jewelry such as necklaces, earrings, etc.
Shyampur Haat Bazaar
This is another popular market in Rishikesh where you can buy numerous things such as fruits, local spices, and fresh vegetables. Some of the best days to shop here are Fridays, Wednesdays, and Mondays.
Ram Jhula Market
This market is another great place for shopaholics. Situated near Ram Jhula Bridge, this place is popular for Indian clothing such as skirts, scarves, and kurtas etc. Women travelers prefer to shop in this market as they find a large variety of clothes here. Some shops in the market are also selling beads, semi-precious stones, and trinkets.
Getting Around in Rishikesh
Commuting within Rishikesh is extremely easy. You can either walk or book a transport to get to any location. You can walk to most locations, such as Laxman Jhula, Ram Jhula, and the ghats, as they are located nearby. However, you can book shared Vikrams and autos to reach your destination. They do not charge much for taking you there. Apart from the autos, you can also book taxis to visit the Vashishta cave or the Neelkanth. These transportation mediums are completely safe and comfortable for many travelers, such as women and senior citizens.
How to Reach Rishikesh?
Rishikesh is easy to reach by road, train, or air. It’s about 6–7 hours away from Delhi if you choose to go here by car or bus. The nearest railway station is Haridwar, which is approximately 20 km away from Rishikesh. You can also reach Rishikesh via a flight. Here are several ways to reach here:
By Road
You can easily reach Rishikesh from different locations in the country. This city is well-connected to all the locations in the country. If you are coming from Delhi, you will reach Rishikesh within 6 to 7 hours.
By Train
The nearest railway station to Rishikesh is Haridwar, which is only 20 km from here. Many trains run from different locations to Haridwar. Once you reach Haridwar, you can take an auto or taxi to reach your desired location in Rishikesh.
By Flight
The nearest airport to Rishikesh is Jolly Grant Airport, which is approximately 21 km from here. There are many flights available to you for Rishikesh from Mumbai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Delhi, etc. After reaching the airport, you can hire autos and cabs that will take you to your desired place in Rishikesh.
