Tourist places in and around Rishikesh

Triveni Ghat | Laxman Jhoola | Shivanand Jhoola | Temples | Ashrams and Yoga Centres It is associated with Ram. According to legend, hare he came on the advice of sage Vasishtha to do penance for killing Ravana. the king of Lanka. There are scores of ancient temples and ashrams affording spiritual solace to pilgrims, the important among them being temple of Bharata Pushkar temple, Shatrughan temple, Lahkhsmana temple, Geeta Bhawan and the Punjab Kshetra. Rishikesh, also known as the "place of sagas" is a spiritual town situated 24 km upstream from Haridwar, at the confluence of the Chandrabhaga and Ganga. It is believed that God by the name of "Hrishikesh" had appeared as an answer to the hard penances by Rabhiya Rishi and henceforth the place derived its name. It is the starting point for the Char Dham pilgrimage and an ideal destination not only for pilgrims but also for the people who are interested in medtation, yoga and other aspects of Hinduism. For the adventure seekers, Rishikesh is the suggested place for starting their trekking expeditions to the Himalayan peaks and for rafting. Also, International Yoga week which attracts participation from across the world, is held here, every year, in February on the banks of the Ganga.

Pilgrimage

Every inch of place is sacred here in Rishikesh. The banks of Ganga in Rishikesh are dotted with ancient temples and ashrams.

Lakshman Jhula

This suspended bridge running from one bank of Ganga to other is the landmark of the city. It was built in 1939. The legend behind it states that Lakshman crossed a bridge made of jute ropes here on river Ganga. The view from the bridge itself is panoramic. The mountains covered in green belt, the waters flowing below, a cool breeze, all these together make Lakshman Jhula a great place to visit. You can also feed the fish in the river below from the bridge itself, the fish gather at the place where people drop food for them. To take a better view of the Jhula, one can take a boat ride in the river below, the scene with Lakshman Jhula in the foreground and green mountains in the background make a picturesque view and you can also feed the fish while you are in the boat. Ram Jhula, a similar structure to Lakshman Jhula is a more recent addition to the city. Also known as Shivanand Jhula, it connects Shivanand ashram with Swarg ashram.

This suspended iron bridge was built in 1939 and has been a major attraction among the tourists. It is said that Lakshman crossed Ganga on jute ropes between the places where this bridge is built. Ram Jhula- The other suspended Iron Bridge was recently constructed between Shivanand Ashram and Sawarg Ashram.

Triveni Ghat

It is the main bathing ghat in Rishikesh where every morning several devotees take a dip in the holy waters of Ganga. The Ghat is so named because it is believed that this is the place of confluence of three holiest Hindu rivers Ganga, Yamuna and Sarswati. This is the place where River Ganga takes a complete right angle turn. The most enchanting experience here is that of the evening aarti. Scores of devotees stand on the steps of the ghat at this time. The priests perform the rituals, the golden flames come out of large pure ghee lamps (being rotated in set circular motions), vedic chants fill the air in praise of goddess of River Ganga and the conchs in the temples on the Ghat fill the air with their sound. The spiritualness in the air mesmerises one beyond expression and no matter what religion the people on the ghat belong to, their soul cannot remain untouched by this. What follows is even more spectacular. Turning the waters into golden, people float leaf boats into the river with flowers and lamps burning in them. Eyes follow these lamps as they go with the flow of the river. This small ceremony of ownership symbolizes hope, remembrance and wishes for future.

Nilkanth Mahadeo Temple

At a height of approximately 5500 feet is the famous temple of Nilkanth Mahdeo. It is situated at a hill top above Swarg ashram. Legend goes that this was the place where lord Shiva had drank venom which had come out from churning the sea. After drinking it, his neck had turned blue with the poison and hence he was called 'Neelkanth', the one with blue neck. To visit this most revered temple of Rishikesh, jeeps are available from Lakshman Jhula. Every year in the months of monsoon - mid July to August - fairs are held here. There is also a fresh water spring within temple complex where people take bath before paying a visit to the temple.

Mythology says that in the ancient times when the ocean was being churned for 'amrit' (Potion for immortality), first venom oozed out. Lord Shiva drank the venom at a place, which is now called Nilkanth Mahadeo. It is 12 km from Rishikesh and is surrounded by peaceful forests.

Bharat Temple

This is the oldest temple in Rishikesh built by Adiguru Shankaracharya in 12th century. Dedicated to Bharat, younger brother of Lord Ram, it is situated in the old town near Triveni Ghat. Details about temple are available in ancient records of Kearkhand. The original temple was destroyed by Tamur during his invasion in 1398. However, many important things are well preserved till date here. In the inner sanctum there is an idol of Lord Vishnu carved out of a single Saligram (the divine stone of Mahavishnu). There is also a Shriyantra placed on the canopy above that was places here by Adi Shankaracharya. Recent excavations have revealed more about the rich history of the temple. Old statues, coins, pots and other things have been discovered from the premises of the temple.

Bharat Mandir

Built by Adiguru Shankra Chrya around 12th century, Bharat mandir is situated in the heart of the old town on the Banks of the Ganges. Detailed account of this oldest temple of Rishikesh is available in ancient record of Kearkhand. The Inner sanctum of the temple has the idol of Lord Vishnu, carved out of a single 'Saligram'. In the inner canopy above the idol is Shree Yantra installed by Adi Shankraya Charya. The original temple was destroyed by Tamur lane in 1398 A.D. Lot of old statues, coins, pots and other things of historical importance were found in recent excavations in the premises of the temple.

Kailash Niketan Temple

Crossing Lakshman Jhula, the main temple you will see is Kailash Niketan Temple. It is a 13 storey structure slightly different from regular temples. The temple has sculptures of all the gods and goddesses.

Spiritual Centres

Gita Bhavan

Crossing Lakshman Jhula is the famous Gita Ashram that was set up in 1950's. It is famous for its depicted walls. Paintings, statues, scenes from the epics Mahabharata and Ramayana adorn the ashram walls. A free ayurvedic dispensary is run here, and a branch of Gita press Gorakhpur is also here. You can also buy bedsheets, cotton sarees from here. Pravachans, keertans are a regular affair in the ashram, one can enjoy bhakti sangeet here in the evenings. The complex also has some hundred rooms for accommodation for pilgrims.

Swarg Ashram

The place is bustling with activity all the time. Ashrams, temples, shops, restaurants, eating joints, all these ensure that the place is always active. Many statues adorn this one of the oldest ashrams in Rishikesh founded by Swami Vishuddhananda popularly known as 'Kali kamli wale'. The spiritual air of the soul pacifies one and all.

Shivanand Ashram : The Divine Life Society

A doctor by profession, Swami Shivanand renounced his life in Delhi and came to Rishikesh in 1924. He set up Divine Life Society in 1936 here. He wrote some 200 books on yoga, health and spiritual life before he died in 1963. The ashram organises regular yoga classes, one can pursue from here studies in texts like Upanishads and Gita. The place has many other ashrams where pilgrims can stay and participate in the activities like yoga, pravachans, bhakti sangeet and other ashram activities. Parmarth Ashram near Ram jhoola runs a traditional Indian school. Ved Niketan runs yoga and meditation classes regularly. Located in the forests near the banks of Ganga, this ashram has the best location. Another ashram in Tapovan area is Sacha Vedic Sansthan. This ashram is also high on religious and spiritual activity chart.

Rishikund Close to Trivenighat is the most ancient place, the Rishikund. Ancient records relate this to Kubz Saint, who was blessed by the Goddess Yamuna by saturating this pond by its water. The pond reflects the temple of Ragunath, dedicated to Lord Rama and Goddess Sita.

Excursions

Chila

Twenty kilometres from Rishikesh is Chila, covered by thick forests. A reservoir here is fed by River Ganga near which one can see many animals. Chila has been declared as a wildlife sanctuary by government.

Narendra Nagar

It is a historical town15 kilometres from Rishikesh which was set up by King of Tehri, Narendra Singh. It has a sfew archaeological structures, the most notable being the Royal Palace.

Excursions

Haridwar (24 km)

Gangotri (253 km)

Dehradun (45 km)

Yamunotri (226 km)

Uttarkhand (144 km)

Mussoorie (77 km)

Neelkanth (12 km)

Shivpuri (16 km)

Rajaji National Park (15 km)

Chilla (18 km)

Kedarnath (228 km)

Narendernagar (16 km)

Badrinath (203 km)