WHY RISHEKESH?

Cradled by the mighty Himalayas on one side and the majestic Ganges River on the other, Rishikesh is often considered the best of both worlds. Due to its panoramic setting and abundance of epic geographical features, this city in Uttarakhand has become the one-stop destination for adventure sports enthusiasts in the country. Besides the thrill of extreme sports, Rishikesh is also contrastingly famous for Hindu pilgrimage and spiritual tranquillity. This is the reason why Rishikesh is known as both ‘the adventure sports capital of India’ as well as ‘the yoga capital of the world’, and is worth paying a visit.

The city of Rishikesh has many names, and one of them is ‘Abode of the Gods’. However, the popular name of Rishikesh was derived from ‘Hrishikesh’, which is a form of the Hindu deity Lord Vishnu. This city has also been mentioned in the Skanda Purana (one of the several holy texts of Hinduism) as an auspicious site of meditation for several Hindu saints. Moreover, Rishikesh is also home to several Hindu temples and ashrams. But what sets it apart from most other tourist places in India is that in 1963, the legendary English rock band ‘The Beatles’ recorded most of their songs from ‘The White Album’ at Rishikesh.

Places to visit in Rishikesh

Ram and Lakshman Jhula

Ram and Lakshman Jhula

The Ram Jhula and Lakshman Jhula were originally rudimentary jute-rope bridges that were constructed to honour the crossing of Lord Rama and his brother Lakshmana’s crossing of the Ganges on a mere jute rope.

Rishikund

Apart from temples and sites for adventure sports, Rishikesh also has one of the oldest ponds. The Rishikund pond, which is located near the Raghunath Temple, was supposedly blessed by the Hindu Goddess Yamuna.

Muni ki Reti

The name Muni ki Reti translates to the ‘Sands of the Sages’ and is packed with some of the most prominent temples, ashrams, and yoga centres in Rishikesh.

Neelkanth Mahadev Temple

Neelkanth Mahadev Temple

This is one of the most unique and mesmerising temples dedicated to the worship of the Hindu God Shiva (also known as Mahadeva).

Kaudiyala

Nestled on the banks of the majestic Ganges River, Kaudiyala Beach Rishikesh is a hidden gem that promises an unforgettable blend of adventure.

Triveni Ghat

Triveni Ghat plays an essential role in Hindu Mythology and is also mentioned in the epics Ramayan and Mahabharat. The ghat is considered to be the cremation ground for the great Lord Krishna.

Things to do in Rishikesh

Since Rishikesh is known as the ‘adventure sports capital of India,’ hordes of thrill-seeking tourists visit this city in Uttarakhand. From bungee jumping to being awed by the beauty of the Neer Gaddu Waterfalls, Rishikesh has a generous offering of things to do for all kinds of tourists.

River rafting

The rapids of the Ganges, passing through Rishikesh, offer tourists the perfect opportunity for river rafting.

Camping

The foothills of the Himalayas have always been known for their biodiversity, and tourists can witness this up close when camping at Rishikesh. There are several locations away from the main city for setting up camp in Rishikesh.

Flying fox

Since bungee jumping is an extremely adrenaline-rushing experience, some may prefer a milder activity with almost the same amount of fun. Therefore, the flying fox is a popular activity amongst tourists in Rishikesh. It essentially consists of a zipline along which tourists are carried across the valley.

Hot air balloons

For those who prefer to relax in the safety of a cabin and still float through the air and have an equally impressive view, the hot air balloons at Rishikesh are a real delight.

Bungee Jumping in Rishikesh

Bungee jumping – Bungy Jumping is an activity that involves jumping from a tall structure while connected to a large elastic cord.

Giant Swing

Giant Swing Rishikesh is like a pendulum in the middle of nothing from India’s highest jumping site of Mohan Chatti with a tributary of the river Ganga flowing beneath.