Top 8 Places to Visit in Rishikesh is the small town located in the northern state of Uttarakhand, India. It is built on the convergence of Ganga and Chandrabhaga. This town at the foothills of Himalayas is a heart to many popular cafes, ancient temples, yoga ashrams and adventure sports. The scenic beauty Rishikesh, is also known as the world capital of yoga. The pilgrimage of “The Char Dham” ideally begins from Rishikesh. With the growing popularity of white water rafting, camping and popular cafes his small town has grown into a famous tourist spot, catering to the people with different needs Rishikesh Tour Packages.
Every year with lot of tourist coming here had led Rishikesh to increase the number of cafes and restaurants to make available most of the cuisines. With the passing years Rishikesh has been a hub for the number of adventure sports such as white-water rafting, camping, trekking, bungee jumping, mountain biking, etc. Rishikesh has been rated as one of the best camping site in India. Rishikesh is a mandatory destination in every traveler’s list of places to visit who want to indulge themselves in something new and adventurous. Here, holy Ghats and scenic ambience provide a natural calmness to the body and soul. Rishikesh is also spelled as Hrishikesh.
Ram Jhula, Another Landmark of Rishikesh!
Ram Jhula is a famous place in Rishikesh. It is a kind of suspension bridge built over the Ganges River, which is 750 m long. This bridge was built in 1986, and since then, this place has been very popular in Rishikesh. Ram Jhula connects Sivananda Nagar, in Tehri Garhwal District, with Swargashram, in Pauri Garhwal District. Apart from this, this bridge also connects many Ashram temples from one district to another.
Its design is exactly like Lakshman Jhula, but its length is more than Laxman Jhula. If you are in Rishikesh, don’t miss this awesome tourist place. You can also come to this bridge on foot or by bike. It is situated three km to the northeast of Rishikesh town Top 8 Places to Visit in Rishikesh.
Things to do:
- Photography
- Sightseeing
- Visit Yoga Festival in Parmarth Niketan
- Shopping
- Explore nightlife
Timings: 24 Hours
Special Tips: It’s a thrilling experience to walk over the hanging suspension bridge which sways with the wind. To experience this and avoid crowds and motorbikes, visit it at night.
Laxman Jhula, The Starting-Point of Rishikesh Trip!
Like Ram Jhula, Lakshman Jhula is also one of the top tourist destinations places in Rishikesh. This is also a suspension bridge like Ram Jhula and built over the Ganges River, and this bridge is built 60 feet above the river. This bridge was built in 1929, and this Jhula was built many years before Ram Jhula, and since then, this place has been very popular in Rishikesh. It is believed that this Jhula was made in the same place where Shri Lakshmana crossed the river Ganges on a jute rope Top 8 Places to Visit in Rishikesh.
Lakshman Jhula connects Tapovan, which is in Tehri Garhwal District, with Tapovan, in Pauri Garhwal District; apart from this, this bridge also connects many Ashram temples from one district to another. If you are in Rishikesh, don’t miss this awesome tourist place. It is situated five km to the northeast of Rishikesh town and from here, Ram Jhula has situated 2 KM downstream. You can also come to this bridge on foot or by bike.
Things to do:
- Photography
- Sightseeing
- Watching Ganga Aarti
- Nearby Temple Visits
Timings: 24 Hours
Special Tips: To avoid crowds and to get the best views of the nightlife, visit the place at night. When the colourful lights of the nearby architecture create a mesmerising reflection on the water of Ganga and the tunes of devotional songs fill up
Triveni Ghat, For Watching A Mesmerising Ganga-Aarti!
There are many ghats in Rishikesh, out of which the most famous ghat is Triveni Ghat. It is the biggest Ghat of Rishikesh, situated on the banks of the river Ganges. It is believed that taking a dip in the Ganges River here destroys all sins; due to this, people from all over the world come here to take a dip.
It is believed that when Lord Krishna was injured by the arrow of a hunter named Jara, he came to this ghat. The Ganga Aarti of the evening is very famous here, and people come from far and wide to see it. This place is at 3 km from the Rishikesh railway station. If you are in Rishikesh, you must visit this place, and you should be part of the evening Ganga aarti. You can also visit Gita Mandir and Laxminarayan Mandir near Triveni Ghat. Apart from all this, you can also do a boat ride here, and children enjoy all these things a lot Top 8 Places to Visit in Rishikesh.
Things to do:
- Attending Maha-aarti
- Bathing
- Feeding the fish
- Offering oil lamps in water
- Photography
- Shopping
Timings
- Morning aarti: 5:45 AM to 6:30 AM
- Evening aarti: 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM
Special Tips: Reach the ghat beforehand to get a front place for capturing breathtaking pictures of Ganga aarti without any obstructions. Another tip is, the evening aarti looks more amazing than the morning one. Choose yours according to your trip plan.
Neelkanth Mahadev Temple, Must-Visit Religious Place!
This temple is one of the very famous temples in India, dedicated to Lord Nilkanth, one of the forms of Lord Shankar. This temple is located in Uttarakhand’s Pauri Garhwal area, around 32 Km from Rishikesh. This temple is very beautiful to see, and the architecture of this temple is very much influenced by Dravidian style Architecture.
Forests surround this Shiva temple, and this temple is situated near the Nar-Narayan Mountain ranges. It is believed that this temple is situated at the same place where Shiva drank the poison from the churning of the ocean (Samudra Manthan). Also, due to drinking this poison, the throat of Lord Shiva turned blue, and because of this, his name became Neelkanth. Maha Shivratri is celebrated here with great pomp and show. Every day thousands of devotees come here to worship Lord Shiva. If you are in Rishikesh, then definitely come to this place with your family and friends.
Things to do:
- Bathing
- Seek Blessings
- Photography
- Explore the architecture
- Visit nearby places
Timings: 5 AM to 6 PM
Special Tips: Seek blessings from Lord Shiva during the month of Shravan (July and August) and on the eve of Shivratri (February).
Tera Manzil Mandir, 13 Storeys of Stories!
Although there are many unique temples to be seen in Rishikesh, Tera Manzil Mandir is one of the unique temples in Rishikesh and is also the most popular one. This temple is also known as Trimbakeshwar Temple or Kailash Niketan Temple. This temple is 13 storeyed and is situated on the banks of the river Ganga. The architecture of this temple is very nice to see, and apart from this, the temple huge is sizeand grandeur Top 8 Places to Visit in Rishikesh.
This temple is located near Lakshman Jhula, i.e. around 7 km from Rishikesh Railway Station. It is believed that this temple was built in the 9th century AD (Anno Domini), and Adi Shankaracharya was the establisher of this temple. Many Hindu Gods and Goddesses are worshiped in this temple. A wonderful view is seen from the 12th floor of this temple, especially in the evening and morning. If you are in Rishikesh, then you must visit this place with family and friends.
Things to do:
- Seek blessings
- Photography
- Explore every floor
- Visit nearby places
Timings: 6 AM to 7 PM
Special Tips: Do not miss the panoramic views of the sunset from the top floor of Tera Manzil Mandir.
Raghunath Temple, Seek Blessings From Lord Rama!
The must-visit temple, Raghunath Temple is one of the popular points of tourist interest in Rishikesh. Dedicated to Lord Rama and his wife Sita, Raghunath Temple is located near Triveni Ghat, one of the famous ghats in Rishikesh.
Top 8 Places to Visit in Rishikesh You can also find a kund or a small pond on the premises of Raghunath Temple, which is believed to be used by Lord Rama for bathing. It is also believed that this hot water pond, which is known as Rishikund, is the meeting place of the Ganga and Yamuna. Watching a beautiful reflection of the temple on the water after seeking blessings from the deity is one of the best things to do in Rishikesh.
Things to do:
- Seek blessings
- Dipping hand in the hot water
- Photography
- Shopping Eating
- Watching maha-aarti on Triveni Ghat
Timings: 6 AM to 7 PM
Special Tips: Try to visit this place in the late afternoon to avoid crowds.
Rajaji National Park, To Explore Flora and Fauna of Rishikesh!
Located on the foothill of Shivalik Mountain Ranges near Rishikesh, Rajaji National Park is a famous wildlife attraction in Uttarakhand. Named after the prominent leader of the Indian freedom struggle and the second and last governor-general of independent India, C. Rajagopalachari (Rajaji), the park spreads over a sprawling area of 820 sq. km. and boasts both a national park and tiger reserve within. It rich flora and fauna include more than 500 elephants, 250 leopards and about 12 tigers Top 8 Places to Visit in Rishikesh.
Besides, a good number of spotted deer, sambhar, goral, barking deer and wild boars are often spotted around the park’s dense thickets, providing for a visual delight. If you are someone looking forward to enjoy the wildlife and nature in its pristine form at Rajaji National Park, a jungle safari on a vehicle is the perfect choice. Rajaji National Park, in recent times, has also been acknowledged as a popular bird watching destination with over 500 species of birds, including both resident and migrants thriving in its thick forested lands.
Few of the species that can often be spotted here include the great hornbills, oriental pied hornbills, great slaty woodpeckers, crested kingfisher, yellow bellied fantail and blue throated barbets, among many prominent others.
Things to do:
- Jungle Safari
- Night Safari
- Birdwatching
- Rafting
- Sightseeing
Timings:
- Morning safari: 6 AM to 11 AM
- Evening safari: 2:30 PM to 5:30 PM
Special Tips: It is suggested to check the website for the details before planning a trip to Rajaji National Park.
The Beatles Ashram, For the Love of Beatles!
After the world-famous musical band visited the tranquil location opposite Muni ki Reti, the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi ashram gained international recognition. It was previously known as the International Academy of Meditation where the students of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi learned meditation. In 1968, the English rock band Beatles came here to learn meditation along with other eminent personalities Top 8 Places to Visit in Rishikesh.
Once abandoned, the Beatles Ashram or Chaurasia Kutia was reopened in December 2015. Apart from the peaceful and serene environment, the paintings on the wall attract several tourists in addition to the Beatles fans.
Things to do:
- Relaxing
- Photography
- Meditation
- Sightseeing
Timings: 6 AM to 6 PM
Special Tips: Besides being one of the best places to explore in Rishikesh, it is also a perfect place to shoot couple pictures with a great background. So, click as much as you can Top 8 Places to Visit in Rishikesh.
