Places to see Rishikesh

Places to see Rishikesh

Located near the foot of the Himalayas in the Indian state of Uttrakhand, Rishikesh is the7th largest city in India. It is also called as the “Gateway to the Garhawl Himalayas”. The town is a famous tourist spot and also a major pilgrimage spot for the Hindus. The River Ganges flows through the town of Rishikesh and it is famous for its various shrines and yoga ashrams. Rishikesh also is among the few places in India that offers a multitude of adventure sports to its visitors. With the city of Haridwar only a few miles south from rishikesh, the place is also considered as a ‘holy city’ and is vegetarian. Here is a list of top 10 places to visit in Rishikesh:

1. Laxman Jhula

Visitor Information

• Famous for: Pilgrimage, Bridges, Rivers.
• Tickets: No entry fee.
• Opening Timings: Open at all times.
• Duration: No specific duration.

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• About Laxman Jhula

Built in 1939, Laxman or Lakshman Jhula is a suspension bridge in Rishikesh With a length of 450 feet and at a height of around 70 feet from the river. According to Hinduism, this bridge is built in the same place, where Lakshmana once crossed the river Ganges on a jute rope, thus making this another important pilgrim attraction.

Things to Do near Lakshman Jhula:

Shopping.

Visit Tera Manzil Temple.

Eat at the nearby restaurants.

2. Neelkanth Mahadev Temple

Visitor Information

• Famous for: Pilgrimage.
• Tickets: No entry fee.
• Opening Timings: Open all days from 6am to 7pm .
• Duration: 1.5 hours.

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• About Neelkanth Mahadev Temple

Situated at a height of 1675 meters, on a hill above Swarg Ashram the Neelkantha Mahadev Temple is one of the most important shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva in the Republic of India. In Hindu mythology, the temple stands at the exact spot where lord Shiva drank the Venom ‘halahala’ that originated after the churning of the ocean by the Devas and Asuras in order to obtain the Amrita or the elixir of life.

Things to Do near Neelkantha Temple:

Shop for souvenirs.

Adventure sports at Jumpin Heights.

3. The Beatles Ashram

Visitor Information

• Famous for: History, Spirituality, Ruins.
• Tickets: 150 INR (Indians) and 600 INR (foreigners) for 3 hours. Vehicle charge of 250 INR (Indians) and 500 INR (foreigners).
• Opening Timings: Open all days at all times till sunset.
• Duration: 1.5 hours.

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• About The Beatles Ashram

In February 1968 the Beatles travelled to the Indian town of rishikesh to attend a session of transcendental Meditation at the ashram of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. It was this visit that changed the world’s outlook of Indian spirituality. This was considered to be the Beatles’ most productive time, they wrote various songs during this visit most of which gained huge media attention and commercial success. This ashram is now a part of Rajaji National Park and has to be entered through the same.

Things to Do near Beatles Ashram:

Explore the Rajaji National Park.

Jeep Safari.

4. Swarg Ashram

Visitor Information

• Famous for: Yoga, Spirituality, Meditation.
• Tickets: No entry fee for exploration. Charges for staying in the ashram and attending yoga sessions.
• Opening Timings: Open all days at daytime.
• Duration: Typically up to 2.5 hours to explore the nearby areas.

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• About Swarg Ashram

On the left bank of the river Ganges, is located one of the oldest Yoga ashrams in India. The Swarg ashram covers the whole area between the ram and the Laxman Jhula and was built in the memory of Saint Swami Vishudhanand. It’s a perfect place for people who seek solitude in this holy city. You can sit and meditate for hours near the private river banks which are totally devoid of any rituals found at the rest of the banks or just sit watching the sun rise from the Shivaliks, setting fire to the cold, glistening waters of Ganga.

Things to Do near Swarg Ashram:

Hiking.	Meditation.	Attend the Ganga Aarti at Triveni Ghat.
Visit the ancient Ram and Laxman Jhula.

5. Parmarth Niketan

Visitor Information

• Famous for: Spirituality, Yoga, Ayurveda, Ancient Indian sciences.
• Tickets: No entry fee.
• Opening Timings: Open all days at daytime.
• Duration: Depends on the activity. Typically 1-2 hours.

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• About Parmarth Niketan

Founded in 1942 by Pujya Swami Shukdevanand Ji Maharaj, Parmarth Niketan is an ashram located in Rishikesh. It’s the largest ashram in rishikesh with over a thousand rooms. Parmarth Niketan provides its thousands of pilgrims - who come from all corners of the Earth - with a clean, pure and sacred atmosphere as well as abundant, beautiful gardens.

Things to Do at Parmarth Niketan:

Reiki.	Yoga and Meditation.	Ganga Aarti at sunset.
Ayurvedic treatments.

6. Rajaji National Park

• Famous for: Wildlife, Adventure.
• Tickets: 150 INR (Indians) and 600 INR (foreigners) for 3 hours. Vehicle charge of 250 INR (Indians) and 500 INR (foreigners).
• Opening Timings: Open all days (6 am to 9 am & 3 pm to 6 pm).
• Duration: 3 hours.

• About Rajaji National Park

Located between the Shivalik ranges and the Indo-Gangetic Plains, Rajaji National Park represents one of India's oldest ecosystem. It is Uttarakhand's second tiger reserve and its unique location makes it an ideal location for some breathtaking flora too.The dense forests house a plethora of animals ranging from Bengal Tigers to Sloth bears and a trip down here would satisfy all wildlife enthusiasts.

Things to Do at Rajaji National Park:

Jeep Safari.

Stay in the cottages.

Visit the Sureshwari Devi Temple.

7. Kaudiyala

• Famous for: Adventure sports, Nature, Ganga.
• Tickets: No entry fee.
• Opening Timings: Open all days at all times.
• Duration: Depends on the activity. Typically 1-2 hours.

• About Kaudiyala

Kaudiyala is considered to be one of the most visited viewpoints in Rishikesh. Located at around 36 kilometres from rishikesh towards Devprayag and 380 meters above sea level, Kaudiyala is famous for offering its visitors the adventure sport of whitewater rafting and is one of the premier locations in the country for this sport. Dense hill forests surround the region and the place is also a habitat for many wild species of flora and fauna.

Things to Do at Kaudiyala:

Camping.	Ziplining.	Hiking.
White water river rafting.

8. Shivpuri

Visitor Information

• Famous for: Adventure Sports, Adventure, Rivers.
• Tickets: No entry fee. Additional charges for adventure sports.
• Opening Timings: Open at all times.
• Duration: Depends on the activity.

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• About Shivpuri

Located at a distance of 19 kilometres from Rishikesh, The town of Shivpuri is situated on the banks of the river Ganges and is named after a temple here dedicated to Lord Shiva. In the recent years, this place has become famous for water adventure sports-especially white water rafting. A visit here is recommended to experience the mighty river Ganga at its most beautiful form.

Things to Do at Shivpuri:

Trekking.	Camping.	Kayaking.
Rappelling.	White water rafting.

9. Jumpin heights

• Famous for: Adventure sports.
• Tickets: 100 INR entry fee plus extra charges on adventure sports.
• Opening Timings: Open all days from 9:30 am to 4 pm.
• Duration: Depends on the activity. Typically upto 3.5 hours.

• About Jumpin heights

Rishikesh is one place which does not only provide the visitors with a dose of spirituality but also a taste of the thrill of adventure sports. The best example of such an offering is the Jumpin heights centre, which is a must visit for adventure enthusiasts. It is one of the most recommended places to visit for adventure sports in Rishikesh because of their safety precautions, experienced instructors and location.

Things to Do at Jumpin heights:

Flying Fox.

Giant Swing.

Bungee jumping.

10. Narendra Nagar

Visitor Information

• Famous for: Spa, Nature, Viewpoints.
• Tickets: No entry fee.
• Opening Timings: Open all days at all times.
• Duration: Half a day.

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• About Narendra Nagar

Located at a distance of 20 kilometres from rishikesh, Narendra Nagar lies in the Tehri Garhawl district of Uttrakhand and is situated at a height of 1,326 meters above sea level. The town came into existence 1919, when the Tehri Garhawl ruler Maharaja Narendra shah moved his capital to the picturesque location of Odathali or Narendra nagar.

Things to Do at Narendra Nagar:

Spa at Ananda Spa Resort.

View the statue of Nandi Bull.

Visit the Radha Krishna Mandir.

Other attractions around the city include Triveni Ghat, Kunjapuri Devi Mandir, Lakshman Temple, Garud Chatti Waterfall and Trayambakeshwar.