Top 10 Places to Visit in Rishikesh

Introduction:

Also known as the ‘Yoganagari’ or the ‘Yoga Capital of the Country’ and the ‘Gateway to the Garhwal Himalayas’, this quaint city is known Top 10 Places to Visit in Rishikesh for its bountiful beauty, sanctity, adventure options and the magnificent places. The city offers top myriad and engrossing list to its visitors.

Jotted with sacred temples, pious ghats, tranquil ashrams and evergreen forests, this serene city has something for everyone. To experience Rishikesh at its best, you must pick the right season and time; the city is freezing cold during winters prohibiting visitors to dress comfortably and enjoy water activities which is why the most ideal time to visit the holy city of Rishikesh in during summer.

List Of Top 10 Places to Visit in Rishikesh:

Triveni Ghat:

Situated on the banks of the holy river Ganges, Triveni Ghat is one of the top 10 places to visit in Rishikesh. It is among the most magnetic places to visit in Rishikesh. The confluence point of three of the most sacred rivers in Hindu mythology: Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswathi, this ghat is considered the most pious among all the other ghats within the vicinity.

‘Maha Aarti’ happens every evening at Triveni Ghat. Triveni Ghat plays an essential role in Hindu Mythology and is also mentioned in the epics Ramayan and Mahabharat. The Triveni Ghat is also where the chattri of Lord Krishna was constructed. 

In fact, the ghat is considered to be the cremation ground for the great Lord Krishna. Along with the holy dips, the devotees also make offerings to the river in the form of milk, while feeding the fishes in the Ghat too. Maha-Arti is performed here every day in the morning and night. 

There are other ceremonies like ‘Pindha Daan’ considered very important for ancestral salvation performed here. The Ghat is also considered as the cremation place of Lord Krishna. Every Ghat which marks the meeting of rivers holds importance in their own right. Overall it is one of the top places to visit in Rishikesh.

Ganga AArti:

Ganga Aarti is one of the top 10 places to visit in Rishikesh. It is the most auspicious and holiest ritual performed on the ghats of Rishikesh in the evening at the time of dusk. Although the aarti is performed at several ghats, the most popular ones are performed at Parmath Niketan Ghat and Triveni Ghat.

The riverbank is lit up with dainty floating diyas and the smoke of the jawans floating the skies. The chiming of the temple bells, the chanting of mantras and the overall ambience of the place is an experience of a lifetime. 

Ganga Aarti is the worship of river Ganga. Thousands of visitors gather to watch the aarti both in the morning as well as in the evening when priests hold three-tier diyas and fire bowls in their hands and chant the Ganga mantras. 

The bells of the temples at the ghat start ringing at the same time making the atmosphere enchanting. It is performed by Vedic priests, basically, students who are studying the Vedas. 

The prayers are made to Agni – the God of Fire, and the saffron-clad pandits hold large bowls of fire which go round and round in front of the river bank. Pilgrims also offer flower to the gods that float in the waters along with the diyas. Moreover it is one of the top places to visit in Rishikesh.

Camping:

Camping is one of the top places to visit in Rishikesh. The opulence of the majestic Himalayas, the clear waters of the Ganges and the mesmerizing beauty of the adjoining forests make Rishikesh the ideal spot for adventure sports like camping and rafting. 

The hill town brings to you a world-class camping experience with umpteen camping and rafting services available in the area. A perfect combination of thrilling and rejuvenating experiences, camping and hiking in Rishikesh is a matchless treat for anyone seeking holistic healing over the weekend.

To add some action and movement to the affair, Rishikesh gives you an opportunity to partake in river rafting and hiking. So if you are planning a quick getaway with your friends, nothing can beat the company of River Ganga and Shivaliks making it one of the top places to visit in Rishikesh.

Geeta Bhawan:

Geeta Bhawan is one of the top 10 places to visit in Rishikesh. It is a vast and spacious complex that is located on the banks of the river Ganga in Swargashram in Rishikesh, at the foothills of the mighty Himalayas. The Ashram is renowned as an important institution that preserves Hindu literature since it houses the Gita, which symbolizes the Hindu Vedas and epics. 

The Geeta Bhawan is visited by a large number of people each year, who flock to here to take a dip in the holy waters of the Ganges, listen to the discourses and meditate. Be it a mere two-hour visit to the ashram, or a stay there for a few days, the experience imbues the devotee with tranquillity, peace and devotion.

The institute offers free food, stay and education to the pilgrims. People living within the bhawan participates in daily prayers and sadhana along with mediation and other necessary activities. Visitors to Gita Bhawan can also participate in all the activities and can also enjoy pure-vegetarian meals and other facilities at a minimal price. Moreover it is one of the top places to visit in Rishikesh.

Bharat Mandir:

Founded by Adiguru Shankaracharya in the 12th century, the shrine is one of the top 10 places to visit in Rishikesh. It houses Lord Vishnu carved out of a single piece of Saligram. The inner canopy of the temple contains Shree Yanthra. 

The architecture and interiors of the temple have been detailed in the ancient record of Kearkhand. The present structure was reconstructed on the ruins of the original temple destroyed by Tamur. Excavations have yeilded many old statues, ancient pots, and coins from this site. Moreover, it is one of the top places to visit in Rishikesh.

Lakshman Jhula:

The Lakshman Jhula is one of the top 10 places to visit in Rishikesh. It is a famous hanging bridge across the river Ganga that connects two villages, Tapovan in the Tehri Garhwal district and Jonk in the Pauri Garhwal district.

The construction of the bridge was completed in the year 1929, and presently, the Lakshman Jhula acts as an adjoining bridge across the river, along with the old route to the sacred shrines of Badrinath and Kedarnath. 

Grand temples and famous markets have sprung up in the vicinity, and the entire area is now a particularly renowned attraction in entire Rishikesh. The bridge is made up of iron and it is almost 450 feet long, which is suspended at an elevation of almost 70 feet above the river. 

The Lakshman Jhula is well-known amongst tourists because it is believed that Lord Lakshman, the younger brother of Lord Rama, had crossed the river Ganga at this same site. However, it is still used by pedestrians but bikes are strictly not allowed. No wonder it is one of the top places to visit in Rishikesh.

The Beatles Ashram:

The Beatles Ashram, also known as Chaurasi Kuti, is one of the top 10 places to visit in Rishikesh. It was located on a cliff in the Swarashram area of Rishikesh, 1 km from Ram Jhula. This is the ashram where The Beatles lived in 1968 and wrote dozens of songs and meditated. 

The ashram complex houses a former temple, library, kitchen, home of Maharishi Yogi and meditation huts. Most of the buildings are in decay but there are colourful graffiti on the walls.

The Beatles Ashram was the training centre of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. It was abandoned until 2015 when it was reopened to the tourists. The ashram is run by Rajaji Tiger Reserve which is located outside its boundary wall. 

To reach the Beatles Ashram, you can park the car in the new parking at Janki Setu, on the western bank of the Ganges, and walk for 1km. That’s why it is one of the top places to visit in Rishikesh.

Neelkanth Mahadev Temple:

Neelkanth Mahadev Temple is one of the top 10 places to visit in Rishikesh. It is the most revered Hindu sites dedicated to Lord Shiva. Located in the Pauri Garhwal region, the temple is around 7km from Swarg Ashram. The stupor and enchantment of the delightful city tells the most ancient of all tales and significant happenings in Hindu Mythology. 

The Shiva abode is situated at a height of 1330 meters amidst the valleys of Manikoot, Brahmakoot, and Vishnukoot. The temple is surrounded by dense forests and sturdy mountain ranges of Nar-Narayan on the confluence of Rivers Pankaja and Madhumati.

During the months of Shrawan and Shivratri, huge numbers of followers turn out and grace this place and express their devotion to the mighty Shiva.  Outside the temple, you will find several stalls stocking memoirs and Pooja ingredients. Another way to reach here is via Lakshman Jhula. A taxi might also take you there for a reasonable price. 

Pilgrims offer water from Ganga to this temple. This ancient temple of Lord Shiva is unmissable not just for the mystical tale that encapsulates it, but also for the lovely sights of the mountains and valleys it showcases while you are here. That’s why it is one of the top places to visit in Rishikesh.

Neel Garh Waterfall:

Hidden inside the woods of the beautiful hill town Rishikesh, Neer Garh Waterfall is one of the top 10 places to visit in Rishikesh. It is a beautiful narrow stream of cool water cascading down a rocky terrain in the midst of a dense green forest. It requires trekking a distance of about a kilometre through the forest and down a cliff to reach the waterfall. 

Amalgam of three stunning waterfalls combine to make this one mighty waterfall, which falls off a cliff as high as 25 feet. The surroundings of the waterfall are untarnished by civilization giving you a raw and virgin experience amidst the adventurous city of India. Reaching this waterfall requires a 15 min of trek on the trails passing through the dense woods. 

You will find two bridges and a stream of water running along the routes you would take. Also, you can spot a rich variety of flora and fauna flocking around the area. The entire journey would be incomparable to any journey you would ever take. You would be passing through two rustic bridges and white gushing streams on your way.

Along with that, distinct panoramic views of the faraway snow-covered mountains and the deep valley will make you spellbound. The place will also give you some amazing views of the nearby valley so make sure to bring your binoculars to peek into the depths of the hill station. Overall it is one of the top places to visit in Rishikesh.

Jadh Ganga Trek:

Since past many years, the region is one of the top places to visit in Rishikesh. The gushing streams, pristine glaciers and splendid landscape adds charm to the beauty of this already beautiful place. 

Regarded as one of the most strenuous and difficult trek of north Uttarakhand, the route of Jadh Ganga Trek was taken by Heinrich Harrer and his companions during May 1944 while escaping the prison in Dehradun. 

They traversed the Aglar valley followed by going over Nag Tibba ridge, they ultimately arrived at Nelang in Jadh Ganga. From there on, they proceeded further towards Naga, Sonam, Dosindhu, TIrpani and finally Pulamsunda.

They, then ascended upwards along the first tributary of Jadh, the Mendi, to reach Tsangchok La, which they crossed seven after leaving Dehradun.Tiring yet exhilarating, the trek is an experience you will cherish throughout your life. Overall it is one of the top places to visit in Rishikesh.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, these are the top 10 places to visit in Rishikesh. These places are amazing and are perfect holiday spots.