The beautiful city of Rishikesh is located in the foothills of Himalayas. Known as the gateway to the ‘Garhwal Himalayas’, it is acknowledged as the ‘Yoga Capital of the World’. Rishikesh has a major importance in the spiritual tour of India. Located on the banks of river Ganga; the place witnesses thousands of pilgrims for a grand experience of spiritual elevation.
Rishikesh is no less than Mecca for the yogis. The picturesque surroundings and pleasant weather throughout the year makes it the perfect destination for yogis to pursue their journey towards enlightenment.
- Spiritual elevation
Rishikesh is primarily known for its spiritual significance. There are a number of yoga Ashrams for practicing meditation and it is also the beginning of the famous char Dham yatra. Rishikesh also has a number of Ayurveda centers where you can experience ancient healing methods for mind and body. It is the right place for spiritual upliftment amidst the holy surroundings. The sight of aarti on the banks of river Ganges is mesmerizing and something that you will cherish forever.
- Temple visit
Rishikesh is a lot of renowned temples such as the Neelkanth Mahadev temple which is located on a hill-top in the outskirts of Rishikesh. Tryambakeshwar temple on the bank of Ganges and Bharat Mandir established by Guru Shankaracharya are other attractions of Rishikesh.
- A holy dip at Triveni Ghat
The amalgamation of the three celebrated rivers of India namely Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati is known as the Triveni Ghat. It is the Sangam of three rivers where pilgrims take a holy dip. The dip has a lot of reverence as it is believed that one can get rid of the sins making their soul purer by taking a dip at Sangam.
- Adventure
One can explore the white water rafting and bungee jumping in Rishikesh. The river water rafting at the Ganges start with an overnight camp on the banks of Ganges and the next morning is scheduled for a trek on the hills. Other adventurous activities to explore in Rishikesh are Rock climbing, Rappelling, or cliff climbing. All these adventure sports and activities are performed under the guidance of experts with ample safety measures.
- Shopping
Since Rishikesh fascinates a number of tourists throughout the year, there is a plethora of shops for religious and handicraft items across the city. The UP Handloom, Garhwal Wool, and Khadi Shop offer authentic fabric and woolen items at affordable prices. You can collect some beautiful sarees, shawls, beads and pearl items to cherish your memories forever.
By Air – Jolly Grant airport at Dehradun is the nearest airport to Rishikesh which is approximately 35 kilometers away. You can take a direct flight to Jolly Grant in Dehradun and then can simply take a cab.
By Bus – There are many buses from different parts of India which reach Rishikesh directly. You can book them from Red Bus.
By Train – There are a few trains available, you can check them from here!