RISHIKESH District : Rishikesh District Location : 35 Kms from Dehradun Known As : Yoga Capital of the World Attractions : Rafting, Yoga and Meditation, Laxman Jhula

View of Trayambakeshwar Temple From the Laxman Jhula

Dehradun Almora Badrinath

Mussoorie Haridwar Kedarnath

Nainital Ranikhet Mukteshwar

Rishikesh – Among the Interwoven Web of Legend and Mythology

Want to see the city that is full of excitement? Take up trips to Rishikesh in Uttaranchal. At an altitude of 1360 m above sea level, come to the town which was chosen by the saints for penance. This is a mythological town where every brick has great legends to explicate. Take up Rishikesh tours to see the heavily bearded 'Sadhus' taking drenched in holiness, come to see the place where greenery gives motivation for poetry and the river Ganga plays roles of a charming juvenile girl. This is Rishikesh, a land of refinement, of Gods and demons, of adventure and serenity.

Prime Attractions of Rishikesh

Laxman Jhula – Bridging the Gap Between History and Present

Coming to Rishikesh and not seeing Laxman Jhoola is like going to New York and not visiting the Statue of Liberty. This is indeed one of the most famous tourist attractions of Rishikesh. Take up Rishikesh tours to see this historically and mythologically renowned bridge that is 450 ft long. Built in the year 1939, it is suspended on river Ganga. To add further to this attraction, there is Ram Jhula that connects Shivanand Ashram and Sawarg Ashram.

Women Practicing Yoga in the Yoga Capital of World - Rishikesh

Yoga and Meditation – Highlights of Rishikesh

Yoga & Meditation

Well all said and done, one important attraction of Rishikesh, that has won accolades from all over the world are the various Yoga and meditation ashrams. Take up exclusive yoga tours of Rishikesh as this town offers opportunity to learn as well as practice the art of healthy living through yoga and meditation. There are internationally illustrious ashrams that have been recognized as centres for meditation, yoga and philosophical studies. If interested in learning this science, visit during the month of February, when the town is indulged in the preparation of the International Yoga week. Put a tent on the bank of Ganges or arrange for a stay in one of the ashrams, you cannot miss this festival. This festival is the ideal time to learn this art as various yoga and meditation masters and yoga practitioners attend this festival. So mush is the fame of Yoga that Rishikesh is known as the 'Yoga Capital of the World'.
Once you have satisfied your skills at Yoga and meditation, then Rishikesh also offers some of the best spa and Ayurvedic treatment centres in the world.

Explore the Water World in Rishikesh – River Rafting in Rishikesh

Adventure Skiing

Rafting Mountain Sports

Trekking

If you were living in the myth that rivers are meant to be calm and tranquil, then you are in for surprise in Rishikesh. Get ready to play boomerang with the Ganges that can give you real tough competition. The rapids and rushes of Ganges in Rishikesh more than welcome the tourist to take up this water sports in Uttaranchal. Alaknanda and Bhagirathi are the two other rivers that help Ganges in challenging the tourists with their mild and yet wild temperaments. The most popular rafting routes in Rishikesha are located in the Garhwal and Kumaon region in Uttaranchal. Rafters should indulge in rafting from Brahmpuri to Rishikesh. The town of Shivpuri near Rishikesh is also an ideal spot for rafting. The best season to enjoy rafting in Rishikesh is during the months of September-November and March-April-May. There are various tour operators that conduct these expeditions.

Rafters Enjoying Rafting Near Shivpuri

Other Attractions of the 'Place of Sages'

One who does not believe that history live or mythology transpires, should visit Rishikesh without fail. Being a pilgrimage destinations, it becomes an inescapable fact that the major tourist attractions of this town will be temple and anything that is related to religion. Among the temple attractions of the town you should not miss Bharat Mandir, Rishi Kund & Raghunath Temple and Pushkar Temple. To soak more of legends you should visit the Neelkanth Mahadev, which is believed to be the holy spot where Lord Shiva drank the venom which was supposed to destroy the world. Isn't it good enough a reason to pay homage to this site and thank Lord Shiva.

Reaching the Rafter's Paradise : Getting There

Rishikesh is an important tourist destination in India. As it is an important pilgrim town, it is very well connected to all the major parts of the country. Though Rishikesh does not have its own airport, one can take a the flight till Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun, just 35 kms away. Regular flights from Delhi and other cities connect Rishikesh to the world.
Rishikesh does not have an railway station of it won, so the traveller must reach Rishikesh first and then on there are various modes of transport available to reach Rishikesh.
An extensive network of roadways connect Rishikesh to almost all the parts of the state as well as country.