Just 24 kms from Hardwar, the divine city of Rishikesh is located in the laps of Himalayas. This beautiful city is encircled by the picturesque hills on all three sides. The setting becomes even more charming with Sacred Ganga flowing through the valley. The divine land offers a perfect meditation center where pilgrims from all over the world come to attain salvation. The city of Rishikesh houses many new and ancient temples along the Holy river Ganga.

Rishikesh is an important pilgrimage centre closely related to the Ramayana, and many Hindu religious and spiritual centers all over the city. The place is also renowned for a Yoga Centre, ashrams, and Yoga institutes. Rishikesh is the commencing point for many journeys to Chardham including Kedarnath, Badrinath, Gangotri, and Yamunotri.

Apart from religious significance, Rishikesh is also a beloved destination for sportsmen. You can enjoy white water rafting and many other sports, trekking, rock climbing, and hiking in the Himalayas. Tourists from across the world haunt Rishikesh to enjoy various trekking expeditions and excursions. Every year thousands of tourists visit Rishikesh during the International Yoga week, which is held at Rishikesh from 2nd-7th Feb on the banks of the Ganga river.

General Information:

How to Reach

Air : The nearest airport is Dehradun (Jolly Grant), 16 kms from Rishikesh. Indian Airlines operates from Delhi to Dehradun (Jolly Grant). 

Train : Rishikesh is connected by rail via Haridwar (24 kms), to Howrah , Bombay , Delhi , Lucknow , Varanasi , Dehradun and other cities.

Road : By road Rishikesh to Haridwar 24 kms, Dehradun 47 kms, Mussoorie 77 kms, Badrinath 301 kms (Son Prayag), Kedarnath 228 kms, Gangotri 258 kms, Yamunotri 288 kms (Hanuman Chatti), Srinagar 105 kms, Joshimath 252 kms.

Bus Services : Rishikesh is connected by bus with Agra , Chandigarh , New Delhi , Jaipur, Pushkar, Dehradun, Haridwar, etc.

Short Sightseeing Trips in & Around Rishikesh:

Laxman Jhula
This is the old suspension bridge over river The Ganga ( Ganges ) located at the far end of Rishikesh town. This Lakshman Jhoola ( bridge ) attracts more crowd than Ram Jhula which is another new bridge close to Rishikesh town. Approach to Laxman Jhula passes through many shops and restaurants selling trekking bags to T-shirts and rudrakha , spotik malas ( garlands of precious stones ). Ask your driver to take you close to the bridge as the road passes through some climbing and descending steps. At other side of Lakshman Jhoola there is Gita Bhavan, temples and many ashrams. You can take a boat ride and return to main road side of the bridge. Walk over the bridge and if you want you can go for a long walk at the other side.

Ram Jhoola
This suspension bridge is wider than Laxman Jhula. At the other side of this bridge there is nice restaurants and one of them is famous Chotiwala established in the year 1958 by Late Krishan Swroop Agarwal & Har Swroop Agarwal. There are two Chotiwala restaurants of two brothers. Cross the bridge and you can return by boat to main bank of river Ganga

Rishikesh Ganga Arati at Parmarth Niketan
One of the attractions at Rishikesh is the Ganga Arathi along with evening prayer by the side of river Ganga. This is performed at Parmarth Niketan ghat near Ram Jhola. From road side cross the river by Ram Jhola ( bridge ) and move towards your right side along the river bank for about 0.5 KM ( go in the direction of flow of water ). In this side of the river bank near Ram Jhola the famous Choti Bala restaurant is there. You can easily locate this place because of its beautiful design with marble flooring. Close to the bank on the river side there is a sitting statue of Lord Shiva. Remove your shoos at the free shoo stand and take your seat at one of the steps. Before the Arati some devotional songs like Hanuman Chalisa and some others were song by some devotees of the Parmarth group. After the devotional songs the Arati is performed and after this also the singing program continues for some more time. The song with music charge the atmosphere with spiritual feelings.