Rishikesh is yet another sacred city in the state of Uttarakhand. Known as the 'Place of the Sages', it is situated at the foothills of Himalayas, on the banks of River Ganga. There are a number of mythological references with regard to its name as Rishikesh. One of them being, that Lord Rama did penance here after killing Ravana, the demon. The city serves as the starting point for the Hindu Chardham Pilgrimage to Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri and Yamunotri. Moreover, the city also houses numerous Yoga centers, as a result of which it is known as the 'World Capital of Yoga'. It is also an ideal destination for adventure sports such as White River Rafting and Trekking. Considering all the above factors, Rishikesh has emerged to be a sought after travel and tourism spot in India.

Tourist Attractions

The greatest attraction in the sacred city is Lakshman Jhula. It is a suspension bridge across Ganga, which was used by pilgrims during Badrinath and Kedarnath Yatra. It was initially made of jute ropes, which was rebuilt using iron ropes. It is believed that Lakshman, the younger brother of Shri Ram crossed the river Ganges from here, through the jute bridge. On one side of this bridge lies Shri Raghunathji Temple, which is said to be the place visited by Lord Rama.

Another intriguing structure here is Ram Jhoola. It is also a suspension bridge from Shivanand Ashram to Swaragashram. Its architectural style is similar to that of the Lakshman Jhula. The main Ghat in the holy city of Rishikesh is Triveni Ghat. It is the place where the pilgrims and devotees take holy dip in the waters of river Ganges. Every evening, Ganga Aarti is performed, which is attended by people in huge numbers. The mystical scene during the Aarti is enough to melt even the most stubborn atheists.

Some of the significant temples in the city include Bharat Mandir. It is an ancient temple which is situated in the old town on the banks of river Ganga. The temple holds a statue of Lord Vishnu made out of single piece of Saligram. Geeta Bhawan is one of the oldest temple complexes in Rishikesh. The walls of the temple are adorned with verses and stories from the Indian epics, Ramayana and Mahabharata. Another significant temple complex and ashram is Parmarth Niketan.

It is known for its work on Hinduism. It even organizes Ganga Aarti and Hawan every evening at the Parmarth Ghat. The Neelkanth Mahadev Temple is a frequently visited shrine in Rishikesh. Situated atop a hill across Ganga, the temple is called Neelkanth as it is believed that Lord Shiva ingested the venom here, which made his throat blue. Apart from this, you can visit other places like Rishikund, Kailash Niketan Temple, Raghunath Temple, Satya Narayan Temple and Shatrughan Temple.

How to Reach
By Air: The nearest airport is Jolly Grant near Dehradun. It operates flights from Dehradun to Delhi, which is linked to all the major cities of the country.

By Rail: Rishikesh has a small railway station, which is mainly connected to the city of Haridwar through three slow trains. It is advisable to take a train up to Haridwar and further travel to Rishikesh by road.

By Road: Rishikesh is connected to all the neighboring cities of the state as well as the other states with the help of good motorable roads. An efficient bus service plies from here at regular intervals.