Travel information on Rishikesh Uttrakhand

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Rishikesh Uttrakhand

Rishikesh , at an Altitude of 372 meters and at a Distance of 45 kilometers from Dehradun is the most popular tourist spot during Uttarakhand tour packages, whether you are a pilgrim seeking spiritual solace, or a yoga or adventure enthusiast, Rishikesh has a lot to offer. Situated 25 kms north of Haridwar, along the banks of river Ganga, Rishikesh is also called 'Hrishikesh', a combination of Hrishik (senses) and Ish (Lord). The city, it is said, belongs to the 'Lord of the senses', Lord Vishnu. A Ganga aarti is performed every evening here, at the Triveni Ghat, and is a popular attraction for tourists and locals.

Built in 1939 by the British, Laxman Jhula, an iron suspension bridge across the Ganges, is a famous tourist attraction. It is believed to be a part of the old route to Badrinath (295 kms) and Kedarnath (215 kms) shrines.

Ram Jhula

About 2 kms ahead of Laxman Jhula, walking with the flow of the river is another, newer, suspension bridge called Ram Jhula.

Lying on the outskirts of Rishikesh, Muni ki Reti, literally translating to 'sands of the sages', is another popular attraction. There are several ashrams here - Sivanand Ashram and Yoga Niketan Ashram being the more famous ones.

The most famous ashram in Rishikesh is that of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, whose disciples included no less than The Beatles. The musicians first encountered the Maharishi at a lecture in London in 1967. They came to Rishikesh in 1968 to study Transcendental Meditation. It was one of the Fab Four's most productive periods, leading to their best-selling White Album. 'Happy Rishikesh', 'Child of Nature', 'India, India', 'The Fool on the Hill', put Rishikesh on the global map.

Apart from yoga, Rishikesh has recently become a popular destination for adventure activities such as river rafting, rappelling, bungee jumping, trekking and camping. The Ganga, upstream from Rishikesh to Byasi, offers great opportunities for adventure sports.

There are several rafting and camping facilities along the river between Shivpuri (16 kms from Rishikesh) and Byasi (28 kms) where one can enjoy white-water rafting amidst splendid views of the surrounding mountains. The Marine Drive, a beautiful stretch of road along the Ganga, is about 27 kms from Rishikesh, en route to Devprayag.

Yoga in Rishikesh, Uttrakhand

Yoga in Rishikesh, Uttrakhand

First mentioned in the Kathopanishad, yoga seeks to bring the mind and body together (yoga comes from the Sanskrit word, yog, which means to join). The earliest texts on yoga are the Yog Sutras, by the great scholar, Patanjali.

Yoga became popular in Rishikesh, especially with foreigners, after celebrities like The Beatles and actress Mia Farrow came to Maharishi Mahesh Yogi's ashram looking for spiritual rejuvenation. Soon, others looking for a spiritual awakening found their way here, which led to the mushrooming of yoga centres in this small town. Over time, Rishikesh acquired the title of 'Yoga capital of the world'.

For more information on Rishikesh and other holiday destinations in Uttrakhand contact Swan Tours, one of the leading travel agency in Delhi, India.