The Most Interesting Sights And Places To Visit In Rishikesh

Rishikesh is widely known among Indian and international tourists as a pilgrim hill station in the state of Uttarakhand. The proximity to the Himalayan ranges as well as the presence of the sacred river Ganges is the factors that make the location something devotional and spiritual. On account of this spiritual connection, the city of Rishikesh has become the center to learn yoga and meditation over the years. There are a lot of ashrams and temples on the banks of the river set exclusively to learn spirituality from the saints and gurus residing there.

The lifestyle and culture of Rishikesh are quite different from the other parts of the country. Most people are inclined to the Hindu Sanatana Dharma and follow strict vegetarian food habits. People distance themselves from alcohol since it is considered a violation of their spiritual virginity. Moreover, you won’t be stuck inside a never-untying string of traffic in this city, making it a perfectly peaceful and divine location. We are giving some suggestions for your Rishikesh vacation with some places to visit and several things to do. 

Ram Jhula

Ram Jhula can be regarded as one of the brand identities of Rishikesh tourism. This is an impressive suspension bridge in the city. The entire bridge is made of superior-quality iron that withstood many adverse situations and climatic changes. The bridge has a length of about 450 feet. The construction credits of the bridge go to the PWD of government. The opening year of the bridge gets marked as 1986.

The bridge crosses the holy river, Ganga connecting two main towns viz. Sivananda Nagar and Swargashram. If you are in the city center, a 3km journey is enough to let you reach the location of the bridge. The long walks through the bridge are known for the picturesque sights nature has to offer around. Apart from walks, you can also ride your two-wheeler motor vehicle or cycle through the bridge and enjoy the view and feel the thrill of suspension. 

Lakshman Jhula 

This is also another iconic tourist attraction located in the city of Rishikesh. People visit the bridge to get amazed by its architectural brilliance and to appreciate the scenic views around the bridge. Just like the bridge of Ram Jhula, the Lakshman Jhula is also constructed using Iron. This is also constructed across Ganga attributing many spiritual significances to it including its name. The similarity between the Ram Jhula and Lakshman Jhula get expressed in the case of the length of 450 feet also.

Lakshman Jhula stands as a connecting bridge between the district of Pauri with the district of Tehri in the state of Uttarakhand. Strolling along the bridge can give you panoramic views of the temples and ashrams nearby the river, and teach yoga, spirituality, and meditation as well. The exact location of Lakshman Jhula is just 12km away from the city center of Rishikesh. 

Triveni Ghat

This is one of the most popular Hindu pilgrim destinations in the state of Uttarakhand in particular and the whole of India in general. The Ghat is located on the banks of the holy river, the Ganges. Devotees believe that taking a dip in the water of the river is a blessing and potent enough to wash all their sins away and fulfill their wishes in the life ahead. The name, Triveni when gets translated to English, reads as “intersection of three”. Several such ghats are located on the various shores of the river.

Among them, the Triveni Ghat is the biggest and the most crowded. Ganga Aarti a practice of daily worship of the river Ganges is performed on the shore every day and a lot of pilgrims and tourists would assemble in the location to witness the same. This is a part of the Hindu tradition of worshipping rivers as goddesses. Boat rides are popular in the Ganges river and Triveni Ghat is the starting point for many of them. 

Neelkanth Mahadev Temple

A magnificent Hindu temple in the city of Rishikesh. The main deity of worship in the temple is the Hindu Lord, Shiva as the name suggests. You can reach the temple by traveling 32km from the city center of Rishikesh. To visit the shrine, you need to ascend an elevation of about 1330m. The mountain terrains and dense forests that surround the temple make it a feast for the eyes. Pankaja and Madhumati rivers flow near the temple adding to the natural charm of the temple.

Shivratri is one of the main festive seasons of the year during which the temple is seen crowded by both casual and pilgrim tourists. Shrawan is the other auspicious occasion of the temple. The grandeur of this Hindu temple is expressed in its outstanding architecture and designs that will make you stand spellbound. You can also indulge in shopping for souvenirs from the street vendors near the temple premises.

Shivpuri

Many tourist activities in the city of Rishikesh get centered in the place called Shivpuri. This is a location blessed with many lovely sights and a romantic ambiance. You can reach the location if you travel 10km from the center of Rishikesh town. If you are interested in camping, Rishikesh provides you with the best experiences in Shivpuri. Most of the rafting services also begin from this location. This location has the blissful background of the Shivalik ranges setting the best moods for a perfect hill station vacation.

If you are into Kayaking, this place has also got provisions for the same. Moreover, you don’t have to worry about the perfect season of the year to hit the location, since the destination and the activities it provides are active throughout the year. Since Shivpuri is the center for many adventure activities in Rishikesh, the general pilgrim tourists would be fewer in the area and most probably be crowded with young-spirited adventure seekers. 

Neer Garh Waterfall

This is a spectacular natural location in the town of Rishikesh. The waterfall of Neer Garh is formed by the combination of three large waterfalls. The water from the falls reaches the ground level from a height of about 25 feet. The surroundings of the waterfall are pure with earthly charms giving an unadulterated natural experience in the town of Rishikesh. You need to trek for about 15 min in order to reach the exact location of the waterfall.

On your way to the falls, two bridges can be spotted offering breathtaking views of magnificent nature. You can also enjoy exploring the exotic vegetation and flora and fauna of the region on the trip and the trek. We would suggest you take a picnic mat and some food handy so that you can also have a picnic experience near the falls with your loved ones. The location of the falls is also perfect to capture some good vacation photos. 

Rajaji National Park 

For nature lovers, this is an inevitable destination in your Rishikesh itinerary. The Rajaji National Park is a paradise of wildlife, exotic biodiversity, and exemplary natural views set in the city of Rishikesh. The park is spread over a vast area of 820 sq. km. This was a protected area during the early days which got converted into a national park in the year, 1983. 23 different varieties of mammal species are the major attraction of the national park. 315 avifauna species also attract the love of tourists and wildlife enthusiasts to the location.

Herds of roaming elephants would be an interesting and exciting view to watch from the national park. Leopards, jungle cats, tigers, cheetahs, barking deer, Himalayan yellow-throated marten, king cobra, languor, woodpecker, etc. are sufficient to reinstate our connection and intimacy with mother nature and wildlife. If you are taking your kids with you to the park, this visit would be an unforgettable experience for them while flipping the pages of their science textbooks. 

Bungee Jumping In Rishikesh 

If you are planning to do the activity in Rishikesh, Shivpuri is where you should go. Apart from indulging in a truly adventurous activity, Bungee Jumping would also help you experience nature and its charm from an entirely different and magnificent perspective. The picturesque views of the Rishikesh landscape are just the perfect to give you the gem of the Bungee Jumping experience in the entire nation.

This 55m high jumping spot is also perfect to overcome your fears just by encountering it in the most aesthetic way. The activity would only take around 1 hour to complete the entire process. You will also be certified on completion of the activity. There are also different packages and combinations you can opt for. You can choose your preference after taking the briefs from the service providers in the location. Photographs and video clips would also be provided on demand. 

Rafting In Rishikesh

The Ganges in Rishikesh is much more powerful so it can provide a better rafting experience that you will remember. There are certain levels of mountains like grade III and grade IV through which the rafting will progress. They will have different intensities of adventure to kick-start that adrenaline rush inside you. Even when enjoying the best adventure experience in the town, you will be assured of safety with a professionally certified trainer accompanying you throughout. You can also choose the packages according to the distance available for rafting.

The minimum distance starts from 9km and the maximum would be around 25km. Shivpuri is the location for rafting also. You can come anytime between 7 in the morning to 3 in the afternoon to do the rafting in the Ganges. The rafting can take about 2-4 hours and this may depend upon the distance you are gonna prefer. Mountains, gushing Ganges, and the untouched spiritual shores would excite you in the experience. 

Kunjapuri Trek Rishikesh 

This is a wonderful experience to start one of your vacation days at Rishikesh. Early morning is the perfect time to start the trek of Kunjapuri. The sunrise view from the top of the mountain would be breathtaking and soul-filling. You would better take the service of a trekking guide before starting with the activity to make the most out of it and also to be assured of safety. You can enjoy the trek for under Rs.2500 and the experience would be priceless.

You can’t take the package if you are a solo trekker. Try finding a good company since the guides would only accept the registration of a minimum of 2 people on a go. The Kunjapuri is in fact a temple located on the top of the hill. So apart from adventure seekers, there are also trekkers who are interested to experience the spiritual aspect of the trek and the temple there. The 250 steps to reach the shrine of the temple are worth climbing on account of the enchanting views it has got to offer. 

Giant Swing In Rishikesh 

The spirit of adventure will reach its peak if you try your hands on the Giant Swing experience in Rishikesh. You need to reach Jumpin Heights located in the Mohan Chatti area of Rishikesh to try out the activity. You will not be able to do it if you don’t report to the location before noon. It will only take a duration of 30 min for the swing.

This is a highly secured activity conducted under the supervision of professionals from New Zealand. The royal view of Shivaliks and Ganges would thrill you inside out if you go out and try the Giant Swing of Rishikesh. The height of the swing here is 83m and for this, you need to challenge yourself and your inner courage. However, such experiences are worth a lifetime and never to be postponed. 

Flying Fox Rishikesh 

In the city of adventures, this is a park exclusively dedicated to adventure activities. The park has deployed a set of internationally certified trainers who will be guiding you throughout. The majestic beauty of the Himalayan ranges and the glam of the Ganges are the features accentuating the exhilarating experience you will be indulging in the location. The lush green atmosphere and cool climate are just perfect to set the mood for a risky adventure.

The Flying Fox of the park has got a speed of 140 km/hr and this has got the credit of being the longest Flying Fox in the whole of Asia. You will get the one-of-a-kind opportunity to fly in the air up to a distance of 1km. This extremely adventurous activity will be rewarded with a certificate after the completion of the flight. After the flight, you can also have some time for relaxation at the nearby café. There are also several spots to let you click beautiful pictures of your adventurous vacation in Rishikesh. 

Paragliding In Rishikesh

Paragliding is one of the most sought adventure activities in the town of Rishikesh. September to June is the best time of the year to experience this activity. According to the packages you choose, you will be experiencing a distinct feel while doing the activity.

Paragliding in Chulkot, Munsiyari is the perfect way to wind up your trip to Uttarakhand as you may enjoy camping on nearby hills at night during your visit to this hill station which is located at an altitude of 2200m above sea level.#uttarakhand #uttarakhandheaven #paragliding pic.twitter.com/CpBw5IxCTl

— Uttarakhand Tourism (@UTDBofficial) November 30, 2022

Remember to have the best trainer before you actually start doing it. Also, demand them for a trial section to make you familiar with the same if you are new to paragliding. 

Best Time To Visit Rishikesh 

February to Mid-May 

How To Reach Rishikesh?

Nearest airport: Jolly Grant Airport 

Nearest railway station: Haridwar Railway Station (HW)

Conclusion 

Rishikesh is the ideal vacation getaway in North India if you are planning to indulge in a combination of something spiritual, adventure, and natural. The climate of the destination is almost pleasant around the year hence making it a location convenient to schedule the vacation. The city is known as the “yoga capital of the world” and hence attracts flocks of foreign tourists to it every year. 

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