An important tourism destination in Dehradun, Uttarakhand, Rishikesh is a small city that is well known as the "Gateway to the Garhwal Himalayas". Initially a world-famous religious site - courtesy of its proximity to Haridwar and its own temples - Rishikesh has slowly morphed into a weekend destination for backpackers and the like. Flush with temples, ashrams and yoga centers, all located along the banks of the sacred river Ganga, Rishikesh still holds onto its spiritual offerings and much more.
How Do I Get There?
By Air: A domestic flight - or international connecting flight from any major Indian airport - into Jolly Grant airport in Dehradun is your best bet to getting to Rishikesh by flight. Only 35km from Rishikesh, once you land at Jolly Grant, you can hire a cab, hop on a bus or rent a car from the many transport services available outside the airport.
By Rail: Rishikesh being within a more mountainous region (and other infrastructural/policy difficulties) is serviced by the Haridwar Railway Station 25 km away. With direct connections to some of the closer major railway destinations - Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, etc. - a train trip to Haridwar followed by a journey via road to Rishikesh would be worth your while - scenic, beautiful and experiential.
By Road: A great road trip destination, by bus or by car, Rishikesh is easily accessible by road from Delhi (6 hours), Panipat (6 hours), Patiala (6 hours) and Agra (8 hours).
When's The Best Time To Visit?
Rishikesh can be visited any time of the year and is always a delight. However, summer months tend to get quite hot (especially May and June) so winters would be your best bet. The month of January is usually the coolest so be sure to carry sufficient woolens if you're travelling during this time.
Rafting is usually not offered during summer (March-June) months and monsoons (July-September). However, prices drop and budget travellers sometimes prefer travelling during this time.
Also, Rishikesh celebrates the festival of Savan sometime around July and it's best to avoid travelling then as it tends to get extremely crowded.
How Do I Get Around?
Like any other tourist city, Rishikesh has a bevy of options when it comes to getting around town. The municipal corporation has set up a taxi and bus service that will take you in and around Rishikesh; landmarks have bus stops close by and taxis..well, they will take you wherever you need to go. But this should not deter your need to explore the city in a more "organic" manner - a large amount of Rishikesh is best explored via rickshaw, bike or on foot.
What Are The Attractions & Things To Do?
Attractions
Triveni Ghat: Situated along the banks of the Ganga, the Triveni Ghat remains the focal attraction of Rishikesh. Famous for its Mahal Aarti, dedicated to Goddess Ganga, the Ghat is claimed to be located right at the confluence of three of India's most revered and sacred rivers - the Ganga, Yamuna, (and what was) the Saraswati - making it a location of spiritual significance. It is also important to note the markets that surround the Triveni Ghat and its proximity to Rishikesh's other landmarks.
Trayambakeshwar Temple: A powerful - and famous - 13 story temple housing most (if not all) the Hindu deities, the Trayambakeshwar Temple is located near the Laxman Jhula Bridge, along the eastern bank of the Ganga. Mainly dedicated to the "three-eyed Lord" (Shiva), the temple also houses ancient texts - both Vedic and religious - and other beautifully sculpted statues.
Neelkanth Mahadev Temple: 32 km from the city, the Neelkanth Mahadev Temple is situated at a height of 1300+m above sea-level on a hill surrounded by thick, green forests. A scenic trip, the temple is a religious and spiritual hotspot attracting thousands of devotees and tourists every month. Said to be built on the location where the Lord Shiva attained his blue throat by drinking the poison from the ocean, the Neelkanth Mahadev Temple is a must visit when in Rishikesh.
Bharat Mandir: The oldest and most sacred temple in Rishikesh, the Bharat Mandir is a must visit when in Rishikesh. Established over 1200 years old, the temple is as ancient as it is awe-inspiring.
Rishikund: An ancient water reservoir, the Rishikund is located by the Raghunath Temple and is said to hold the waters of the Yamuna River. Surrounded by trees, and with steps to the reservoir, the Rishikund is a great place to relax, take a breather and to start a high-octane trek - courtesy of the various adventure sports companies situated there.
Gita Bhavan: A large complex full of restaurants, bookshops, travel/transport companies, discourse and meditation halls, ayurvedic spas, shops of all kinds (clothing, groceries, antiques, etc.), and over 1000 rooms available to devotees free of charge. It is a great place to visit and spend a whole day just walking through its corridors and hallways.
Ram Jhula: A large iron-suspension bridge that connects the two banks of the Ganga, about 3km from the town center, the Ram Jhula is a thing of wonder. An iconic landmark, the bridge is a little more than 450 ft long and carries both vehicular and foot traffic to both sides.
Swarga Ashram: A large property enveloping many different ashrams, sanghas and temples, the Swarga Ashram is situated on the eastern bank of the Ganga. Popular among tourists and devotees alike, the Ashram is a great place to relax, given the general atmosphere of spiritual calm and the natural surroundings. There also other things to do; shops, cafes, ayurvedic stalls and spas, parks, schools, meditation centers and other time-consuming opportunities are present within the Ashram.
Things To Do
The natural gifts that Rishikesh boasts - large mountains, gurgling brooks, deep ponds, tall trees, evergreen forests, scenic hillsides and a rushing, sacred river - make it the perfect city for an adrenaline-fuelled weekend. Adventure abound, you will be at the mercy of nature's persuasion and find yourself whitewater rafting, bungee jumping, mountain-biking, body-surfing, camping, trekking, harnessed to a flying fox/zip line, cliff diving, rappelling, rock-climbing, kayaking, parasailing/paragliding or - if you just want to enjoy a view - on a hot air balloon. Head down to any of the hundred adventure/recreation outfits in town and get that adrenaline going.
Where To Eat?
Whether you have just flown in with family, with friends, out on a solo trip, Rishikesh has one very unique offering - "cafe hopping". While Rishikesh isn't on the map for its amazing food, it is for its variety and number of cafes. The city is flush with gastronomical opportunities, with cuisines from all over the subcontinent and beyond ready to be gobbled. Here is our list for the top, "must-eats" in Rishikesh.
- The Sitting Elephant (Chinese/Indian)
- 60's (Themed Cafe/International)
- Chatsang Cafe (Indian/Asian Fusion)
- Pure Soul Cafe (Healthy Eats/International)
- Little Buddha Cafe (International)
- Bistro Nirvana (Mexican/Italian/Indian)
- Ganga Beach Restaurant (Italian/Chinese/International)
- Madras Cafe (Indian)
