Top 15 Best Places to Visit in Rishikesh
Rishikesh is situated in the state of Uttarakhand in India and is set on the foothills of the majestic Himalayas. It is also the seventh largest city in the country. People call Rishikesh the “Gateway to the Garhwal Himalayas” and for an excellent reason. Many people from all over the country, especially north Indians, flock to Rishikesh to satisfy their spiritual and adventurous cravings a few times every year. It is no secret that Rishikesh is known for the holy river Ganga that flows through the city and it also enjoys beautiful weather throughout the year.
Hence, if you are planning to get away this merciless summer to Rishikesh, here are the top 15 best places that you must definitely visit when in the city!
1. Ram Jhula & Laxman Jhula
This list must definitely begin with the Ram Jhula and the Laxman Jhula – two iron suspended bridges of 450 feet that are the definite glory of the tourist hub of Rishikesh. You can enjoy the unparalleled scenic beauty and the mesmerizing waves and sounds of the river Ganges from these bridges. You can also enjoy the architectural marvel of this bridge and attend aarti in the nearby temples.
2. The Beatles Ashram
If you are a fan of the Beatles, you need to visit this place too because apparently, this ashram of Maharshi Mahesh Yogi was visited by the Beatles after which it received global acclamation and came to be known as the Beatles Ashram. The tranquility and calmness of this place will spellbind you into speechlessness. You can indulge in quiet sessions of meditation at this ashram and fall in love with the spiritual beauty of this place.
3. Shivpuri
If you are a fan of the great outdoors, Shivpuri must not be missed! You can camp overnight in the jungle and play volleyball by the banks of the river and be in the midst of something surreal and heavenly. Shivpuri is located at a distance of 19 km from Rishikesh and is a great adventure option. You can enjoy boating, trekking, and rafting and have the trip of a lifetime in this place.
4. Neelkanth Mahadev Temple
Neelkanth Mahadev Temple is considered to be a sacred abode of Shiva and is located 12 km away from Rishikesh. It is one of the most sacred and the holiest shrines of Lord Shiva in India. If you are a religious person, you would definitely know about this spectacular place. The tomb inside the temple depicts the saga of Samudramanthan and is also one of the most popular attractions in the temple. You can visit the freshwater spring in the temple that attracts many people as well as devotees for a holy bath.
Places to Visit in Rishikesh
5. Triveni Ghat
The all-famous aarti in Rishikesh takes place on the Triveni Ghat. This Ghat is situated on the banks of the river Ganges and is a rather crowded place, thanks to its popularity. It is a major point of interest and offers an aura as well as a spiritual experience that is unlike anything else you will ever witness. It is considered to be a very sacred Ghat in India because three of the holiest rivers, namely Ganga, Saraswati, and the Yamuna, come together here. Visiting this place will give you an insight into the spiritual beauty of the city of Rishikesh.
6.Neer Garh Waterfall
If your soul craves for everything “trek” and “beautiful,” Neer Garh Waterfall is your dream destination. This trekking getaway is situated just two kilometers away from the Laxman Jhula and offers a view of the most mesmerizing waterfall that you will ever see. Seeing this waterfall, you will have no choice but to fall captive to its unmatchable and eternal beauty. Tourists also visit this place when they are tired and worn out from all the traveling and need a timeout. Many wanderer photographers also find their way to this waterfall to capture the magic.
7. Kaudiyala
It would not be wrong to say that Kaudiyala is, by far, the most popular tourist attraction in the city of Rishikesh. This is where people come to enjoy the thrilling white-water rafting. This activity is mostly concentrated on the banks of Kaudiyala and offers a stretch of 16 km for white water rafting in the river. You can camp by the river and also enjoy boating. In addition to that, you get to enjoy cliff jumping during the rafting spree.
8. Jumpin Heights
Are you an adventurous person who believes that no trip is complete without some form of a thrilling and dangerous expedition? Well, how can you miss Jumpin Heights then? This place is an adventurer’s paradise in Rishikesh. There are a multitude of adrenaline pumping options that you can choose from, although bungee jumping is definitely the crowd favorite. You can also choose giant swings or the flying fox for an incredible time.
9. Swarg Ashram
Would you like to visit the oldest ashram in the country? Well then, you can absolutely not miss the Swarg Ashram! This ashram is nestled between the Laxman Jhula and the Ram Jhula and is a major point of interest in the holy city of Rishikesh. This ashram was built in the memory of Swami Vishudhanand and is an ideal sojourn if you are looking to spend some time in peace and serenity. You will find the perfect meditation site here, and you can also visit an isolated yet picturesque river bank. The aesthetic beauty of this place is probably why this ashram is named “Swarg” or “heaven” in English.
Places to Visit in Rishikesh
10. Rishi Kund
How can you visit Rishikesh and not enjoy the hot water springs that have been built for sages? Rishi Kund is also known as the Pond of Sages and is a place that you definitely do not want to miss! This hot water spring has several mythological references attached to it and pilgrims flock to visit these springs on every visit. This place is a part of the Raghunath Temple. So, it is very easily accessible. You can bathe in this hot water spring and also try photography to capture some of the wonders of the temple.
11. Geeta Bhawan
Geeta Bhawan is a free shelter as well as a tourist place in Rishikesh. This place has been a very popular pilgrimage for a very long time and is known for its countless folk tales. People usually do not consider their trip to be complete without visiting or staying at this free shelter for at least a day. It is a massive place on the banks of Ganges, and more than 1000 pilgrims take shelter in this huge complex on a daily basis. Visiting this place can help you interact with these people and get a deep insight into their way of life in Rishikesh.
12. Vashishta Gufa
Vashishta Gufa is another small getaway that you can plan when in Rishikesh. It offers a very ancient cave which is away from all the lights of the city. This destination is considered ideal for weekends and is one of the most famous tourist getaways in Rishikesh. If you have been looking for a blissful time since times immemorial, Vashishta Gufa will offer you the perfect blend of calm surroundings and serenity.
13. Kunjapuri Temple
Kumari temple offers a mesmerizing view of the sunset. This temple takes 30 minutes from Rishikesh by car and is definitely worth a trip. It is situated at the height of 1700m and is not just famous for the temple but is a well-loved tourist spot. The trek up to the temple is fairly easy, and once you get there, you can see the incredible sunset as well as sunrise amidst the Doon Valley and the mighty Himalaya. The sight is sure to leave you awe-struck.
14. Parmarth Niketan
You can also visit Parmarth Niketan when in Rishikesh. This place is quite popular for its yoga, spirituality, ancient Indian sciences, and Ayurveda. Pujya Swami Shukdevanand Ji Maharaj founded it in 1942. This ashram consists of thousands of rooms and is definitely the biggest ashram in the city of Rishikesh. People visit this ashram from all parts of the world for its clean, pure, as well as sacred atmosphere with abundant and beautiful gardens. You can practice meditation and yoga as well as indulge in various Ayurvedic treatments during your stay.
15. Narendra Nagar
Narendra Nagar is another fantastic place to consider visiting when you find yourself in Rishikesh. This place is famous for its viewpoints, spa, and nature. In addition to that, it is situated 20 kilometers from Rishikesh in another district of Uttarakhand. This town has been in existence ever since 1919 and offers an in-depth view of the Hindu cultural heritage. Here, you can enjoy amazing spa therapies and also visit some of the most popular pilgrim spots in the country. It is a definite must visit!
Final Words
And there you go! These are some of the many fantastic places you can visit when in Rishikesh. If nothing else, it is bound to soothe your soul and help you unwind.