Cities in India

Rishikesh

Area : 11.20 sq km
Population : 82,000
Languages : Hindi, Garhwali, English
Best time to visit : September to November
STD Code : 0135

The Garhwal region of north India is speckled with some of the holiest of Hindu pilgrimage sites and Rishikesh is one such major attractions. Crowded with sadhus with long matted hair and pilgrims from all over the globe, Rishikesh is the birthplace of yoga. The various ghats and temples assist the human spirit in its endeavor to be one with the ultimate source of all creations. It is also an attraction for the ones in search of adventure and passion.

Rishikesh is located in the northern part of Uttar Pradesh. It is 238 km northeast of Delhi and 24 km north of Haridwar and spreads on the right banks of the Ganges, at its confluence with the Chandrabhaga stream. It is surrounded by hills on three sides and is perched at an altitude of 356 meters above sea level.

Places of Interest
Rishikesh abounds in temples. Most of the pilgrims who pass through Rishikesh on their way to the Himalayan shrines of the Char Dham pause for a holy dip and puja at Triveni Ghat, in the central part of the town. The river here looks especially spectacular during aarti (evening worship) when diyas or oil lamps float on the water. Nearby is the Bharat Mandir, Rishikesh's oldest temple, dedicated to Lord Vishnu.

The Chandreshwar temple stands at the confluence of the Chandrabhaga and the Ganges. The Hanuman Mandir is flocked by a large number of devotees on Tuesday.

The dense-knit complex of cafés, shops and ashrams collectively known as Swarg Ashram, opposite Shivananda Nagar, is the most attractive part of Rishikesh, backing on to forested hills where caves are still inhabited by sadhus or hermits. The large courtyard of the Parmarth Ashram here is crammed with brightly clad statues of gods and goddesses.

Around 2 km north of Swarg Ashram, a path skirts the east bank of the river en route to Lakshman Jhula. The Lakshman Jhula is a 450-feet-long suspension bridge and was built in 1939. The Lakshman Temple on the west bank has been built to commemorate the journey of Lakshmana across the river on a jute rope. Many of the temples and ashrams around both ends of the bridge—such as the extraordinary Kailashananda Ashram, with each of its thirteen stories dedicated to a different deity—are always filled with devotees. It is a pleasant 2-km walk from this place to the Shivananda Jhula.

SITES NEARBY
The Vilas Vinay Palace, about 10 km from the main township, is a garden palace and was once the residence of Maharaja Vinay Singh. Its gardens are watered by the Silisehr Lake. There is a hunting lodge on the hillside overlooking the lake and it has been now turned into a hotel.

Fifteen kilometers on the Rishikesh–Chamba road is located the historical town of Narendra Nagar. A town of archaeological importance, it was built by the King of Tehri, Narendra Singh. The royal palace here is worth seeing as is the magnificent statue of Lord Shiva’s attendant, the Nandi bull.

Rajaji National Park at Chilla is 16 km from Rishikesh. The park (820 sq km) has wildlife in abundance and is especially known for its wild elephants. The Sariska sanctuary is 37 km from Rishikesh. It was established in 1955 and is located in the valley of the Aravallis.

The Nilkanth Mahadev, east of Rishikesh, is one of the holiest shrines here. The beautiful forest track rises through the forests behind Swarg Ashram, passes Mahesh Yogi's ashram, and eventually descends to Nilkantha, which is at an altitude of 1700 meters. Its small bazaar and dharamshala become especially animated during mid-July, when pilgrims flock to the temple.

The small white Shakti temple of Kunjapuri is 10 km higher at the sharp point of an almost perfectly conical hill with breathtaking views of the Himalayas to the north.

MEDITATION AND YOGA CENTERS
Rishikesh is called the yoga capital of the world and there are many ashrams in Rishikesh offering courses on meditation, yoga and Hindu philosophy. The hatha yoga and pranayama meditation classes at Sri Ved Niketan Ashram are well known. The Shivananda Ashram (Ph: 430040) is located opposite the Shivananda Jhula and is flocked by tourists.

WHERE TO STAY
Rishikesh offers a wide range of accommodation facilities. At the City Center, Chandrabhaga, Rishilok, Swarg Ashram, and Lakshman Jhula area, one can find many hotels. The Swiss Cottage and the Norwegian Cottage offer good and cheap accommodation. The GMVN Tourist Bungalow at Rishilok is also a good place to stay.

HOW TO REACH
The nearest airport is Dehradun, 35 km from Haridwar. A Vayudoot service operates from Delhi to Dehradun. A few private airlines also operate flights from Delhi to Dehradun.

Rishikesh is connected by rail via Haridwar (24 km) to Howrah, Bombay, Delhi, Lucknow, Varanasi, Dehradun and other cities. There is a daily Shatabdi Express and a Mussourie Express from Old Delhi Railway Station to Haridwar. From there, one can take either a passenger train (1½ hour) or a bus (½ hour) to get to Rishikesh.

Rishikesh is connected by bus via Haridwar with Agra, Chandigarh, Dehradun, Kullu, Manali, and Shimla. It is also linked to Mussourie (77 km), Badrinath (301 km), Kedarnath (228 km), Gangotri (258 km), Yamunotri (288 km), Srinagar (105 km), and Joshimath (252 km). There are two bus stands, the Main Bus Stand (Ph: 430066) and the Yatra Bus Stand (Ph: 432013).

To get around the town taxis and jeeps are freely available.