Rishikesh ‘Yoga capital’ of the world
Rishikesh ‘Yoga capital’ of the world
Rishikesh attracts people from all over the world like a magnet since decades owing to its religious and scenic attributes. Also, one of the most sought-after destinations for adventure seekers, this locale is nestled amidst the foothills of Himalayas. Surrounded by lush green forests and with the fast-flowing crystal clear Ganges crisscrossing this town, Rishikesh is indeed a place for perfect holidays. Rishikesh is also a popular name amongst health fanatics as it is believed to be the ‘Yoga capital’ of the world.
Places to visit in Rishkesh
Rishikesh attracts people from all over the world like a magnet since decades owing to its religious and scenic attributes. Also, one of the most sought-after destinations for adventure seekers, this locale is nestled amidst the foothills of Himalayas. Surrounded by lush green forests and with the fast-flowing crystal clear Ganges crisscrossing this town, Rishikesh is indeed a place for perfect holidays. Rishikesh is also a popular name amongst health fanatics as it is believed to be the ‘Yoga capital’ of the world.
Lakshman Jhoola is one of the main religious attractions in Rishikesh. It is a suspension bridge across the River Ganga. Devotees believe that Lakshman, the brother of Lord Rama, had once crossed the river with the help of a jute-rope bridge on the same spot.
Triveni Ghat a kilometre-long bathing ghat where several devotees come to take a holy dip is also an important place to see in Rishikesh. The Triveni Ghat is a confluence of three sacred rivers - Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati.
You must witness the evening aarti at the ghat, when the convergence turns into a picturesque view of lamps and diyas carefully placed in leaf boats floating on the river.
Bharat Mandir is an ancient temple founded by Adiguru Shankaracharya in the 12th century. One of the oldest temples in Rishikesh, it is dedicated to Lord Vishnu - the supreme god as per Hindu mythology.
Rajaji National Park A great place to explore the rich biodiversity of Uttarakhand is Rajaji National Park, which lies tucked away in the foothills of the Shivalik mountains. Rajaji National Park is spread over three districts of Uttarakhand, which include Dehradun and nearby Haridwar and Pauri Garhwal.
The reserve houses several rare species of flora and fauna, including the likes of Asian elephants, Bengal tigers, gharials, pythons, bears, leopards and subtropical varieties of vegetation.
Tryambakeshvar Temple a holy shrine dedicated to the three-eyed Lord Shiva, is one of the most famous temples in Rishikesh. The temple is located in close vicinity to Lakshman Jhoola and stands 13-storeys high along the banks of River Ganga.
Neelkanth Mahadev Temple is among the most revered shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva that is located around 32 km away from Rishikesh. Positioned on a hill above Swarg Ashram, this ancient temple lies at the confluence of the Pankaja and Madhumati rivers, amid three valleys - Brahmakoot, Vishnukoot and Manikoot.
Ram Jhula located in Muni Ki Reti, is one of the main attractions of world's yoga capital - Rishikesh! It is a suspension bridge, which was built over the River Ganges in the year 1986.
Also known as Shivananda Jhula, this bridge measures 450 ft in length and connects Swarg Ashram with Shivananda Ashram area. In proximity to the bridge are many popular ashrams like Gita Bhawan, Parmarth Niketan and Yog Niketan where one can meditate and attain spiritual enlightenment. Ram Jhula is very much similar in design to the Lakshman Jhula, another famous suspension bridge in the town.
Best Time To Visit Rishikesh
Peak Season – March to May
Shoulder Season – October to February
Low Season – June to September
Rishikesh in Summer (March to May)
Temperature: The air temperature during summer fluctuates between 14°C and 39°C.
Weather: The weather of Rishikesh in summer can be described as hot and humid, interspersed with bursts of scorching heat. Due to its geographic location, the city’s summers can get particularly draining and exhausting. Warm winds and moisture in the air can be a rather sticky affair.
Significance: Moving beyond spirituality and the excitement of adrenaline-pumping adventure sports, Rishikesh summers have so much more to offer travellers! There are ways to beat the heat while simultaneously having enriching experiences. From the best ayurvedic treatments and spa sessions to the quirkiest and coolest cafes, iconic cultural spots and festivals, you can choose from a vast number of offerings. The International Yoga Festival occurs during this time, and trust us; it’s worth participating in.
Rishikesh in Monsoon (June to September)
Temperature: The air temperature during the season of monsoon fluctuates between 24°C and 35°C.
Weather: With pleasant temperatures, monsoon enjoys the ‘climate status’ of being easy and breezy. The rain, wind, mist and fog create the ideal backdrop for peace and contemplation. However, there are risks of severe weather conditions in the form of landslides and floods. With that being said, this is the best season to visit Rishikesh in if you’re craving a new perspective.
Rishikesh in Winter (October to February)
Temperature: The air temperature during winter fluctuates between 8°C and 34°C.
Weather: Winter is regarded as the best climate to visit Rishikesh in. The atmosphere exudes crisp and fresh air, a delicious treat for the lungs. The climate sings with a beautiful chill, the perfect setting to achieving wanderlust. The weather is ideal for exploration and discovery when properly clad.
Significance: Rishikesh in winter is spellbinding. Not only will you have the opportunity to bask in the natural beauty of mountains, valleys, lakes, rivers and waterfalls, you can also engage in a multitude of thrilling sports such as river rafting, bungee jumping, para sailing, para gliding, trekking and camping. And the best part is, you have the backdrop of snow studded ranges to watch over you. Get in touch with the religious side of yourself by visiting one of the many temples dedicated to Lord Shiva or the spiritual side of yourself by visiting the numerous yoga institutions. The choices are infinite.
How To Reach Rishikesh
How to Reach Rishikesh by Air As Rishikesh does not have an airport, you can fly to the nearest airport in Dehradun if you want to come here by flight. Dehradun’s Jolly Grant Airport has daily flights from Delhi and other cities and airlines such as Air India, Spice Jet and IndiGo fly here regularly. The airport is just 35km from Rishikesh and you can get a taxi to take you here once you land. There are also bus services that you can use to get to Rishikesh from Dehradun. The other alternative is taking a flight to Delhi which is an international airport and receives flights from all over the world. You can take a bus from Delhi to reach Rishikesh.
How to Reach Rishikesh by Road There are several buses connected to Rishikesh from Delhi. Buses from other pilgrimage sites such as Haridwar also come here often enough. If you want to travel to Rishikesh from Delhi by bus, then check the morning and late evening buses as they depart every day from Kashmir Gate ISBT. Buses range from regular, deluxe and luxury and depending on your budget, you can choose accordingly. Rishikesh has two bus stands, the Main Bus Stand and the Yatra Bus Stand. You can get on a bus at either of these bus stands to leave from Rishikesh. Tickets can be bought at the UTC Bus Booking Stand opposite Madras Café in Ram Jhoola.
As Rishikesh is connected to other cities by the National Highway 58, driving down in your own vehicle can be a good idea to reach Rishikesh. The highway is also in good condition, making the drive quite easy and pleasant. From Delhi, it takes around 6 to 7 hours to reach Rishikesh. Some parts of the road, especially the hilly terrain might not be smooth and there can be some ruts in the road. Still, many people prefer to drive up to the town as it makes getting around easier. If you are travelling from Delhi by car, then it’s a good idea to leave between 4 and 5 in the morning as there can be quite a bit of traffic in towns like Modinagar and Roorkee. Other options by road would be to hire a taxi. From Dehradun, there are also share jeeps which leave early in the morning. Do try and get to the stand between 5 and 7 in the morning.
How to Reach Rishikesh by Railways To reach Rishikesh by train, you will have to travel to Haridwar, which is around 25kms away from Rishikesh and it is well-connected to many of the major Indian cities such as Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata and Lucknow to name a few. While Rishikesh has its own railway station, there are only three slow trains which run on a daily basis. This is why the Haridwar railway station is a better approach. Once you reach here, you can take a bus or taxi, to reach Rishikesh. Travelling to Rishikesh by train is a good idea because the trains often run empty and the fares are reasonably low. During melas or peak season, they are even on time. Some of the best trains to reach Haridwar and subsequently Rishikesh by train are Shatabdi Express, Jan Shatabdi, AC Special Express and Mussoorie Express.
