Rishikesh is a famous holy place for Hindus, situated in the Dehradun district of the Himalayas. In the foothills of the Garhwal Himalayas, Rishikesh is the “yoga capital of the world”. Since ancient times, sages and saints have visited these places in search of knowledge. The city has hosted the international yoga festival since 1989. Rishikesh lies 21 km (13 mi) north of Haridwar and 45 km (28 mi) southeast of the Uttarakhand capital, Dehradun. There many places to visit in Rishikesh that offer a unique blend of spirtualism , relegion and peace.
History
According to legend, Lord Rama did penance here for killing Ravana and his younger brother, crossing the mighty Ganga river after erecting two jute ropes, where the Lakshman jhula (bridge) stands today. It connects the district of Tapovan with Pauri Garhwal.
Ganga river
The Holy Ganga originates from the Gangotri glacier in the Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand as the Bhagirathi river. The glacier is 30 km long and 2 to 4 km wide. Gaumukh, in the shape of a cow, is considered the actual source of the Ganga where several streams meet. Flowing down, it meets the Alaknanda river at Devprayag and is called Ganga. It further flows and enters into the plains called Rishikesh.
Tera Manzil temple or Trayambakeshwar temple In Rishikesh
Established by Adi Shankaracharya in the 9th century, the ad is a famous Hindu shrine temple at Rishikesh. Temple is also known as the Kailash Niketan Temple. It’s not dedicated to a single deity but attracts a number of interfaith devotees from all over the world.
Location : Near Lakshman Jhula
Entry fees: None
Timing : 6:00 am to 7:00 am
Triveni Ghat In Rishikesh
Triveni ghat is a famous sacred ghat on the banks of the river Ganga. Every day, Ganga aarti is performed by the Ganga Seva Samiti, It’s a very beautiful experience to feel. To join Ganga aarti, you have to pay a nominal fee to Ganga seva samiti. The famous temples near the ghat are the Geeta Temple and the Laxmi Naryan Temple.
Location: Rishikesh railway station (3 km) and Jolly Grant airport (22 km).
Entry fees: None
Timing : 5:00 am to 9:00 pm
Beatles Ashram
In 1968, the famous members of the Beatles band visited the ashram for spiritual peace. They were impressed by the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi and became his disciples. The Beatles were very famous during that era and were the centre of attraction, but their great success has caused unwanted stress. They wanted a place where they could mediate and divert their attention. This place gave them a new meaning of life and gave Rishikesh a new international fame across the world. After the death of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, the ashram was shut down. But the Uttarakhand government has established it as a Beatles Ashram for tourist lovers.
There are 108 huts in the ashram. The Beatles lived in the number 9 hut. There are 84 meditation areas around the ashram that give the name “84 kutiya” to the ashram.
Location: Rishikesh
Entry fees: Rs 150 (Indian)
Rs 600 (Foreign)
Parmarth Niketan Ashram
The ashram was founded in 1942 by the great saint Pujya Swami Shukdevanandji Maharaj (1901–1965). It’s the largest ashram in Rishikesh with over 1000 rooms. The place is surrounded by a beautiful garden with a sacred atmosphere. The ashram offers cultural and spiritual programmes on yoga, meditation, and stress management.
Location: Ram Jhula, Swarg Ashram
Entrance fees: Rs. 1600 (AC), Rs. 600 (without AC)
Timing: 6:00 am to 9:00 pm