Tourist places around Rishikesh

  Rishikesh

Rishikesh is a holy city on the banks of the River Ganges. This holy city a part of Dehradun district is called the Devbhoomi and is considered as the doorway to Himalayas. Located in the magnificent foothills of Himalayas, this place in Northern India attracts huge number of tourists and pilgrims from all parts of the country to offer their prayers at this holy site.

Ancient history suggests the presence of Rishikesh in the legendary “Kedarkhand” region. In mythological scriptures Lord Rama meditated and practiced penance at this place after he executed of Ravana. Lord Rama’s younger brother Lord Laxmana crossed the Ganga from here due to which the popular Laxman Jhula was constructed.

Originally, Laxman Jhula was built from jute rope. This rope bridge was quite unsafe and was replaced with a stronger iron- rope bridge in 1889. Due to floods in 1924 the bridge was damaged and finally replaced with a stronger suspension bridge supported from strong engineering labour.

Rishikesh offers several tourist attractions right from religious locations to thrilling adventure sport activities. Religious places include Gita Bhawan, Nilkanth Mahadev, Triveni Ghat and Swarga Ashram. A walk on Laxman Jhula is visited by many tourists.

Rishikesh embodies many popular yoga and meditation centre. There are private universities which have short term yoga courses that attract international tourists and visitors. Rishikesh, sometimes also referred to as World Capital of Yoga as it is a perfect place to learn and study yoga meditation and other spiritual practices.

On the other hand after attaining peace and tranquillity, adventure sports and trekking forms a major reason to lure tourists from all parts of country.  White water rafting is the main thrilling adventure sport that is popular amongst water sports. River crossing is yet another challenging sport in which the individual is supposed to cross the river sliding on a single rope just above the heavy water currents of River Ganga.

Other surrounding districts are Tehri Garhwal and Pauri Garhwal, whose governing agencies have brought a ban on the use of plastic bags and selling of alcohol in the city, thus making it an alcohol free district. Another holy city Haridwar is just 25 km away, which is also located on the Ganges.

Abounding in magnificent temples and ashrams, Rishikesh occupies a prominent place on the tourist map of north India. This place holds a lot of importance for the Hindu pilgrims as it is the point from where the journey to the Char Dhams (four sacred spots) begins. Blessed with varied natural wonders, Rishikesh is an ideal spot for the pilgrimage and adventure tourism in the state of Uttarakhand (formerly Uttaranchal). Here, you will come across a number of fascinating attractions and some of the noteworthy tourist attractions in Rishikesh are: 

Bharat Mandir -

It is an engrossing temple established by Adiguru Shankaracharya near in the 8th century AD. It is in the center of the old town on the Banks of the River Ganges. According to the ancient records, it is one of the oldest temples of Rishikesh and is among the most important places to visit in Rishikesh. In the inner sanctum, you will find an idol of lord Vishnu. Several old statues, coins, pots and other artifacts of historical importance have been found during recent excavations within the premises. 

Rishikund -

It is located adjacent to Triveni Ghat and is one of the most significant among the tourist attractions in Rishikesh. According to the legend, this pond was saturated by Goddess Yamuna and it mirrors the temple of Ragunath, which is devoted to lord Rama and his wife. 

Triveni Ghat -

It is a sacred spot where the pilgrims swarm to for a holy dip. A large number of pilgrims throng in to this place every evening to attend the Ganga Arti that takes place at this Ghat. 

Geeta Bhawan -

This is the oldest temple complex in the entire area and you can find the description of well-known Indian epic Ramayana and Mahabharata on its walls. Only peace and harmony seem to dwell at this place and it is must visit among the tourist attractions in Rishikesh. 

Lakshman Jhula -

It is one of the most prominent landmarks at Rishikesh. This is a suspended bridge and was built in the year 1929. According to the beliefs, the river at this place is said to have been crossed by Rama’s brother Lakshman using a jute rope. To savor the panoramic views of the surroundings and the cool breeze, this bridge is an ideal spot. 

Ashrams -

The ashrams strewn all over the town are indisputably the leading tourist attractions in Rishikesh. On your tour to Rishikesh, you will come across lots of them. Most of them impart spiritual studies and lessons on meditation and well-being of the mind. Some of the leading ones are Paremarth Niketan, Sivanand Ashram, Yoga Niketan, Omkaranand Ashram, Vanprastha Ashram, Shankaracharya Nagar Transcendental Meditation Centre, Vithal Ashram and Yoga Study Centre. 

Find useful travel information regarding Rishikesh tourist attractions on the site touristplacesinindia.com that also offers valuable inputs on the other places of tourist interest in India. 

NARENDRANAGAR  -

Over the past few years, Narendranagar has gained much popularity as a small hill station in Uttarakhand. If you are a spa lover, you can not afford to miss a visit to this place. It has become popular, as it is where the world renowned spa resort 'Ananda in the Himalayas' is located. World class yoga and alternative therapeutic treatment is offered at the spa. The galvanizing environment of the Himalayas (Shivalik ranges) and the eye-catching views of the Ganges contribute much to the picturesque location of the spa resort. Being the one-time capital of the former state of Tehri, Narendranagar is also home to many palaces of the former King Narendra Shah. 

SHIVPURI -

It is a rafter's paradise. If you are a river rafting enthusiast, Shivpuri offers you some of the most thrilling adventure opportunities. The stretch of River Ganges here has multiple excellent rapids, categorized from Grade I to Grade V. Whether you are a first-timer, a non-swimmer or a seasoned adrenaline junkie, there are opportunities for all abilities. Camping at Shivpuri has also its own unique taste. Starting from Shivpuri, you can choose to raft along popular Ganges rapids including Three Blind Mice, Sweet Sixteen, Cross Fire, Roller Coaster, Golf Course etc. 

CHILLA -

The state of Uttarakhand welcomes tourists of all backgrounds and tastes. If you are a wildlife lover holidaying in Rishikesh, you can also plan to visit Chilla, where the popular Rajaji National Park is located. Spread over an area of 820.42 sq km, the national park shelters around 23 mammalian species and 315 avian species. Popular wildlife species to watch here include elephant, tiger, panther, wild cat, bear, wild boar, sambar, python, monitor lizard, king cobra etc. 

HARIDWAR -

One of the most sacred Hindu pilgrimage destinations in India, Haridwar is world popular for its Ganges ghats, temples and of course the Kumbh Mela. The word 'Haridwar' is a combination of two Hindi words- 'Hari' (meaning god) and 'dwar' (meaning gateway). That is why, Haridwar is referred to as the Gateway to God. The Mansa Devi Temple and the Har ki Puri ghat are two of the most important tourist attractions here. The Ganga Arti ceremony, performed at the Har ki Pauri ghat, is a spectacle to watch for all. 

CHAMBA -

Tucked away at an elevation of around 1,676 m, Chamba lies in the Tehri district of the state of Uttarakhand. The region has come into limelight owing to its unpolluted beauty and tranquility that it offers to tourists. Dense deodar and pine forests surround Chamba from all sides, making it a tourist destination of exquisite beauty. The village lifestyle and culture of the people living in small villages around Chamba is also of much interest to travelers. From Rishikesh, tourists can reach Chamba easily by undertaking a 2 hours road journey. Tourist bungalows are also available at Chamba for accommodation purpose.

KUNJAPURI MATA MANDIR -

The temple has the distinction of being counted among the 52 shaktipeeths (sacred places of cosmic power). The temple stands on top of a hill. To reach the temple from the foot of the hill, tourists and devotees need to climb up a flight of 80 steps. From upon the hillock, where the temple is located, tourists can also afford eye-catching views of the Garhwal Himalayan peaks including Banderpunch, Chaukhamba and Swarga Rohini among others.