Rishikesh is a city in the northern Indian state of Uttarakhand, at the foothills of Himalayas beside the Ganges River. The river is considered sacred and the city is famous for being a place for learning yoga and meditation. Temples and ashrams (places of spiritual study) line up east of the river around Swarg Ashram, a traffic free, alcohol free and vegetarian enclave upstream from of Rishikesh village. Here are some best Rishikesh tourist places to visit.
Known as the ‘Yoga Capital of the World’, Rishikesh gained popularity in the 1960s when English rock Band Beatles visited. The Famous Band in the pursuit of spirituality spent their time in the Ashram by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi.
Although spending some time in this ashram when visiting the Spiritual City, there are many places that are worth visiting. Start your day with rafting in Shivpuri, have a quick breakfast at one of the waterfront restaurants, then visit the many shops along the Laxman Jhula.
Finally, relax in the Ghat and in the evening submerge yourself in the magnificent and stunningly tranquil Ganga Aarti. If you need more detailed information to help you plan your entire trip, Lets trip Desi will give you some advice. Read on to discover the most popular tourist places of Rishikesh.
Best Tourist Places of Rishikesh to Visit
Here are some best Rishikesh tourist places to visit:
The Beatles Ashram, Rishikesh
Located about 18 km from the city center, The Beatles Ashram is one of the most important places to visit in Rishikesh. After the Beatles visited the ashram to practice Transcendent Meditation, India’s spiritual landscape changed the world.
The Beatles ashram episode is billed as one of the most successful episodes as they wrote so many songs. If you are a Beatles fan, you should visit the Ashram and enjoy the peace. Not a good place but still some nice ruins. Jus find a spot in the ashram and spend a few hours meditating.
Location: Swarg Ashram, Rishikesh
Hours: Open daily until sunset
Jumpin Heights, Rishikesh
An adventurer’s paradise, Rishikesh is also home to one of the most difficult but often exhilarating activities – bungee jumping. And the best place to try this fun activity is in Jumpin Heights.
In addition to bungee jumping, this adventure sports point has provisions for flying fox. Everything from expert instructors to the gears needed for bungee jumping can be found here. You can also record your event on camera.
Entry Fees: INR 100, Plus bungee jumping which costs 3550 INR and flying fox cost around 1900 INR plus video charges are 900 INR per person are additional.
Location: Pauri Garwal District, Mohan Chatti, 30 km from Rishikesh
Hours: 9:30 AM to 4:00 PM, every day
Also Read: 10 Best Hot Water Springs In India
Tera Manzil Mandir, Rishikesh
Also known as the Trimbakeshwar Temple, it is one of the most famous temples in Rishikesh. Perched on the banks of the Ganga River, the temple, as the name suggests, has 13 floors and is a structure of breathtaking beauty. Their colorful appearance makes them easy to see from a distance.
Location: Laxman Jhula, Rishikesh
Timings: 6 AM to 7 PM
Laxman Jhula, Rishikesh
One of Rishikesh’s most significant places, the Laxman Jhula is a 450-feet long suspension bridge that rises 70 feet above the river. Built in 1939, the bridge is considered the only place where Lord Laxman crossed the Ganga River on a jute rope, making it an important landmark.
There are several restaurants on both sides of the bridge, but the most notable are the nearby Laxman Temple and Tera Manzil Mandir.
When crossing the bridge, do stop in the middle and just soak in the view of the hills all around you. Nothing is more surreal than this!
Also Read: Best 8 Places to Visit in Manali
Ram Jhula, Rishikesh
A few kilometers from Laxman Jhula is Ram Jhula. Almost identical in design and structure, this suspension bridge was built in 1980, shortly after Laxman Jhula.
If you cross this bridge, you can see the Himalayas through the fresh air and the Ganga River. It’s a beautiful scene that you won’t want to miss when in Rishikesh.
The bridge is also famous for connecting the two famous ashrams in the city. Swarg Ashram on one end and Sivananda Ashram on the other. About 450 feet long, the bridge offers panoramic views of valleys and temples. If you want to do it all, walk slowly.
Triveni Ghat, Rishikesh
It is one of the most famous places in Rishikesh and the beautiful place to see Ganga Aarti in the evening. The sanctity of Ghat comes from the legend that it finds the confluence of three main rivers: Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati.
The ghat is considered sacred and if you believe in Hindu mythology, it is said that a dip in the holy water of the Ganga near the ghat can cleanse you of all your sins. After all, this ghat is mentioned in several epics, Ramayana and Mahabharata.
In the evening, sit on the ghat crossing and relax in the beautiful Aarti.
Neelkanth Mahadev Temple, Rishikesh
Located about 30 kilometers from Rishikesh, this holy temple is considered one of the most important tourist attractions for all devotees of Lord Shiva. According to Hindu mythology, Shiva wandered in the ocean to receive the elixir of life and drink the venom “Halahala” and built a temple there.
The temple also has a freshwater spring where devotees take a holy dip.
Location: Kotdwar – Pauri Road
Opening hours: 6 AM – 7 PM
Shivpuri, Rishikesh
No way to get to Rishikesh is complete without trying rafting, water sports without adrenaline. And the best place to relax in some of the most exciting adventure places in Rishikesh is Shivpuri. As the hub of rafting, it is crowded with people who want to try their hand at this fun sport. Whether you are looking for a short 9km drive or a long 21km drive, you can find all kinds of equipment and arrangements in Shivpuri.
Of course, if you want to do all of this, we recommend that you book the 1N/2D camp. After the rafting, you can relax in a tent and spend the evening around the campsite.
Also Read: Golden Temple Sri Harmandir Sahib, Amritsar, India
Rishikund, Rishikesh
Rishikund is known as “pond for rishis” and is a holy water body near the temple of Ragunath. The pond reflects the entrance tower of the Raghunath Temple and is a great place to spend some time. It is said that the pond was blessed by the river goddess Yamuna.
Location: Mayakund, Rishikesh
Parmarth Niketan, Rishikesh
Parmarth Niketan is one of the best places to visit in Rishikesh if you are a yoga enthusiast. Established in 1942, this ashram has grown into one of the biggest spiritual places in the country.
Location: Swargashram, Rishikesh
These are The Beautiful Tourist Places of Rishikesh to Visit.
