Rishikesh

Rishikesh, a well-known name among Hindu devotees worldwide, serves as a gateway to the major pilgrimages in Dev Bhoomi Uttarakhand and is also a pilgrimage city with numerous ancient and modern temples. Rishikesh, located approximately 370 meters above sea level, is gaining popularity as an ideal starting point for both adventurer trekkers and nature lovers embarking on Himalayan expeditions, as well as Himalayan belt locals entering the northern plains for business and other activities.

Rishikesh is located in the Dehradun district of Dev Bhoomi Uttarakhand, India, and includes the city of Rishikesh, Muni-ki-Reti, Shivananda Nagar, the temple section of Laxman Jhoola, and Ashrams to the north. Rishikesh is regarded as a sacred region and a pilgrimage destination, with the holy river Ganga dividing it into two parts.

Rishikesh serves as a gateway to the most important Hindu pilgrimages in Dev Bhoomi, Uttarakhand. Char Dham pilgrimages include Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath; Neelkanth Mahadev Temple; various Shakti Peethas such as Kunjapuri, Surkanda Devi, and Chandravadani; the famous Sikh shrine Hemkund Sahib; and the most visited national park, Valley of Flowers. Rishikesh also serves as a gateway to numerous other pilgrimage destinations.

Rishikesh – Mythology

Rishikesh is mentioned in Hindu mythology as a place where Raibhya Rishi (sage) practiced tapasya (austerities) to appease Lord Vishnu, and Lord Vishnu, pleased with Raibhya Rishi’s difficult penance, appeared in the form of god Hrishikesh. As a result, the place became known as Rishikesh.

According to legend, god Rama performed penance in Rishikesh before killing the demon Ravana. According to the Hindu holy epic Ramayana, Ravana kidnapped Sita (Rama’s wife), and Rama fought Ravana and his armies with the help of Hanuman (lord Shiva disguised as a monkey to assist Rama [lord Vishnu] in defeating Ravana) and the Banara sena (monkey armed forces).
It is also believed that Lord Vishnu killed the demon Madhu in Rishikesh. According to Hindu mythology, Madhu and Kaitav were two demons created from Lord Brahma’s ears during ‘Shristi’ (Creation). Lord Brahma, the god of creation in Hinduism.

Rishikesh is also called Agni Tirtha. According to legend, god Agni (the fire god) came here to vomit Lord Shiva’s sperm. When Lord Shiva remained with Goddess Parvati for years without leaving his room, Indra, the king of the gods, ordered Agni to enter and bring him out. Agni entered through a hole and appeared in front of Shiva and Parvati as a Bhikshu (beggar). Shiva was furious and nearly cursed the beggar when Parvati intervened and asked him for something. Lord Shiva, enraged, handed the beggar a sperm and shouted at him to leave. The beggar swallowed the sperm and left the room. Later, Agni came to a jungle of shrubs called Kush (a plant revered in Hinduism as a manifestation of Lord Vishnu) and vomited the sperm. The sperm flamed out because it was inside Agni (fire). Thus, the location is also known as Agni Tirtha.

Rishikesh Tourism

Every day, thousands of religious tourists from India and abroad visit Rishikesh, which is home to a number of ancient and modern temples. Laxman Jhoola, Laxman Temple, Terha Manzil (a thirteen-story temple), Bharat Temple, Paramartha Niketan Ashram, Triveni Ghat, and Rishikesh City (a commercial and technology hub) are among the religious sites that attract thousands of pilgrims each day. Ganga aarati at Paramartha Ghat and Triveni Ghat is popular among Hindu devotees. Religious tourists visiting Rishikesh never miss the evening Ganga aarati. Ganga Aarati, with its magnificent view of the holy Ganga, floating diyas and flowers, and devotees singing Bhajans and playing spiritual music, is a must-see activity for everyone, whether they are Hindu pilgrims or members of any other religion.

Rishikesh, surrounded by the Himalayas on three sides and with the enchanting holy river Ganga running through it, is an ideal destination for nature lovers. The fascinating beauty keeps tourists spellbound; Rishikesh is endowed with heavenly beauty.
Rishikesh also has beautiful hamlets where innocent villagers allow tourists to explore Uttarakhand villages and learn about village life. Every day, thousands of people visit Rishikesh, which preserves its beauty in village life and highlights the significance of the holy land.

Adventure Sports in Rishikesh

Rishikesh is the most popular destination for adventurers because it offers white water rafting, bungee jumping, canoeing, kayaking, and paragliding. Rishikesh is favored by nature and geography for these various types of adventure sports, and it is primarily populated by young adventurers carrying their sports equipment.

The Holy Ganga provides an ideal environment for spirited athletes to challenge themselves and make the most of life by offering white water rafting, canoeing, and kayaking opportunities. Adventure sports are popular in Rishikesh from March to the end of September, but the monsoon season should be avoided because the magnificent Ganga becomes fierce and attacking during this time.

Rishikesh: Center for Yoga and Meditation

Rishikesh is a sacred land where in ancient times gods, sages, and saints practiced deep austerities, penance, and meditation. The glorious tradition continues to thrive and expands with each passing year. Rishikesh is well-known in the yoga school in rishikesh international community as a center for yoga and meditation practices. People interested in spiritual practices from Europe, America, and Australia travel to Rishikesh to learn Yoga and meditation, and then return home to spread spiritual vibes in their communities.
The growing number of Yoga and meditation centers in Rishikesh is evidence of people’s interest in spiritual practices.

Those who want a break from the everyday stress and want to live a simple life join yoga and meditation classes, yoga and meditation teacher training courses and try to apply the knowledge in their everyday life. Rishikesh has become a popular destination for tourists looking to stay longer and learn yogic skills. Rishikesh is widely regarded as the world capital of yoga and meditation.

The Ganga bank is dotted with ashrams of sages and saints. It is believed that meditating in Rishikesh and a day stay in the holy land counts equal to the holy dip in the water of Ganga in Rishikesh and it means the attainment of salvation. Thousands of tourists come to Rishikesh to meditate, halt for a night with devotion towards the almighty and take a dip in the holy water of river Ganga.
Rishikesh is well known for its significance in Ayurveda, yoga, meditation, spirituality and spa therapy. The city is a learning center of these special branches which leads to a happier life free of deep materialistic desire.

Rishikesh – Gateway to Char Dham and other Pilgrimages

Rishikesh cannot be avoided by the pilgrims on the way to chhota Char Dham – Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath – in Uttarakhand state of India. Rishikesh, 24Km from Haridwar is the entering spot for Char Dham Yatra (tour). During the Char Dham Yatra time, Rishikesh witness millions of Hindu pilgrims in reserved buses, jeeps, cabs – in groups. Neelkantha Mahadev temple, a huge temple dedicated to lord Shiva in Tehri Garhwal district is only 28Km from Rishikesh. Rishikesh is the gateway to major Hindu and Sikh pilgrimages in Uttarakhand state.
The route to Char Dham is as follows:

Haridwar – Rishikesh – Dehradun – Mussoorie – Chamba – Tehri – Dharasu – Barkot – Sana Chatti – Hanuman Chatti – Janaki Chatti – Yamunotri – Uttarkashi – Harsil – Gangotri (Gaumukh) – Srinagar – Rudraprayag – Agastyamuni – Phata – Sitapur – Guptakashi – Gaurikund – Kedarnath – Ukhimath – Chopta – Gopeshwar – Chamoli – Pipalkoti – Joshimath – Auli – Govindghat – Hanuman Chatti – Badrinath – Nandprayag – Karnaprayag – Devprayag – Rishikesh

Best time for Rishikesh visit

Rishikesh can be visited any time in any season during the year for it being at the foothills of the Himalayas offers a pleasing weather throughout the year.

Summer: Summer months March to June offer pleasing warmness to the tourists in Rishikesh. With maximum temperature of 35°C, Rishikesh allows the tourists to experience the beauty and bounty of the region.

Monsoon: Monsoon months July to September experience average rainfall in Rishikesh, but the magnificent Ganga flowing from uphill beginning her journey from Gangotri glacier has high chances of showing her might at Rishikesh where she gradually enters the plains. Holy Ganga offers spectacular view at Rishikesh during monsoon.
Spring: Spring months mid September to late October are pleasing and Rishikesh blooms with nature. Tourists experience softness in the nature and greenery enchant the nature lovers.

Winter: Winter in Rishikesh is not too cold, temperature ranges between 33°C to 19°C. Tourists feel pleasing coldness during winter.

How to reach Rishikesh

By air: Jolly Grant airport Dehradun is the nearest airport 21.3Km from Rishikesh.
By rail: Rishikesh railway station is in Rishikesh city connected with Haridwar and Dehradun. Rishikesh railway station is connected to all parts of the country where the rail network passes through Haridwar to Dehradun.
By road: Rishikesh is well connected to rest part of Uttarakhand and whole India by roadways.

Where to stay in Rishikesh

Rishikesh is a gateway to the most honored pilgrimages in Uttarakhand, a center for Yoga and Meditation, commercial and technological hub, itself a pilgrimage site, destination for adventure sports and a vegetarian city by law. Rishikesh houses numerous private hotels and lodges for tourists to halt besides Garhwal Mandal Vikash Nigam (GMVN) tourists rest houses.

Places to see in Rishikesh

Laxman Jhoola: Laxman Jhoola in Rishikesh is believed to be the spot from where Laxman (younger brother of lord Rama) crossed the holy Ganga through a jute bridge. The jute bridge was later replaced by a suspension bridge which was washed away by floods in 1924 and the stronger bridge was finally built.

Laxman temple dedicated to Laxman stands nearby Laxman Jhoola. The main attraction of the temple is Rishi Kund where lord Rama and his brother Laxman bathed after killing Ravana in order to get rid of the sin.

Kailash Niketan / Terah Manzil Temple: A 13 storey eye catching temple on the bank of holy river Ganga nearby Laxman Jhoola, Kailash Niketan or the Terah Manzil temple is dedicated to lord Shiva but houses idols of all the gods and goddess of Hinduism. The tall temple visible from Haridwar-Badrinath route is visited by thousands of pilgrims and other tourists everyday. Sight seeing from the roof of the temple offers breathtaking view of captivating Rishikesh.

Triveni Ghat: Triveni is a spot where three rivers meet. Triveni Ghat in Rishikesh is the holy confluence of river Ganga, river Yamuna and river Saraswati. Devotees take dip at the holy confluence to get rid of all sins committed and achieve salvation. Evening Aarati at Triveni Ghat is popular among the people of Dehradun, Haridwar, whole of Uttarakhand, whole of India and the Hindu devotees outside India. Tourists get enchanted with the floating diyas, flowers and the singing of sacred Mantras and bhajans at Triveni Ghat.

Bharat Mandir: Bharat temple in Rishikesh enshrines the statue of lord Vishnu with Shankha, Chakra, Gada and Padma in four different hands, made up of single saligram (the stone which is worshipped as form of lord Vishnu). Bharat is considered to be the incarnation of lord Vishnu and Bharat temple is mentioned in great Hindu holy epics Vishnu Puran, Mahabharata, Geeta, Vaman Puran and Narsingh Puran. Every year in the day of Basant Panchami the Shaligram is taken to Mayakund and bathed. The return journey is a grand procession. People believe that if any devotee perform 108 pradakshina (rounds) of lord Hrishikesh Narayan on the day of Akshya Tritiya, the lord fulfills all her/his wishes.

Paramartha Niketan Temple: Ganga Aarati at the bank of holy river Ganga performed every evening in Paramartha Niketan is well known among national and international tourists. The huge statue of lord Shiva sitting in bull and the statue of Krishna-Arjun in chariot depicting the initiation of Mahabharata war captivate the tourists.

Ram Jhoola: Ram Jhoola is much bigger and picturesque than Laxman Jhoola, connecting Swargasharm with Shivananda Ashram. Thousands of visitors pay visit to Ram Jhoola as it being the place from where lord Rama (the hero of Hindu holy epic Ramayana) crossed holy Ganga.

Kailas Ashram Brahmavidyapeetham: Kailas Ashram Brahmavidyapeetham is the institution where Swami Vivekananda, Swami Rama Tirtha and Swami Shivananda got education. Kailash Ashram Brahmavidyapeetham prsearves and promotes the traditional Vedantic studies.