The little town of Rishikesh, serves as an entrance to the Garhwal Himalayas, and is located in the Tehri district of Uttarakhand. It is considered the ‘Yoga Capital of the World’ and has significant religious and spiritual significance. Legend has it that saints and sages are said to have meditated here in search of enlightenment and peace. The dense Sal forests and the holy Ganga river flowing through Rishikesh make the town peaceful and refreshing.
Some of the places to visit in Rishikesh include the suspension bridges of Ram and Lakshman Jhula, which connect temples, markets, and ashrams of on both sides. You can see the 13-story Trimbakeshwar Temple and the Neelkanth Mahadev Temple, within the dense jungle that surrounds the Nar-Narayan mountain range. In the evening, you can witness the Ganga Aarti at Triveni Ghat which is a spiritual ceremony including prayer, fire lamps, and chants.
For those seeking adventure sport in Rishikesh can go bungee jumping from India's highest point, try white water rafting on swift-moving river rapids, cliff jump, kayak, and body surf. Those who love nature can hike to the Neer Garh and Patna waterfalls or set up camp by the Ganga river. Thus, gather your belongings and head to Rishikesh city for the ideal holiday amidst adventure, spirituality, and breathtaking scenery.
- Type of destination: pilgrimage, adventure, nature, meditation, and yoga
- Prime season: March to May
- Languages spoken: Garhwali, Hindi, English
- Local Modes of transport available: taxis, auto-rickshaws, buses, bicycles, private vehicles
How to Reach Rishikesh
By Car– You can drive to Rishikesh from Delhi, Haridwar, via Delhi - Panipat Expy, NH 709 AD and NH334 which takes about 4 hours 20 minutes. There are UPSRTC buses that depart from Delhi's Kashmiri Gate ISBT for Rishikesh and offer both regular and luxury services. You can board regular buses from Haridwar to reach Rishikesh in about 40 minutes via NH-34 by covering a distance of around 25 km.
By Rail– Haridwar Railway Station is the closest train station to Rishikesh which is well-connected to Delhi, Mumbai, and Kolkata. You can thus reach Haridwar by boarding trains like the Mussoorie Express and Vande Bharat. Once you reach the station, you can take a taxi or regular buses to reach Rishikesg in about 40 minutes, by covering a distance of around 25 km.
By Air– The easiest and fastest way to get to Rishikesh is to fly to Dehradun's Jolly Grant Airport (DED), which is around 15 km away. You can thus board connecting or direct flights offered by airline carriers like Indigo and Air India to reach from cities like Delhi, Kolkata, and Chandigarh. This journey takes about 50 minutes to 6 hours depending on layovers. Once you can reach the airport, you can continue your onward journey to Rishikesh City via a bus or taxi.
Best Time to Visit Rishikesh
The best time to visit Rishikesh is all year round, as each season offers something unique.
Summer in Rishikesh
- Months- March to May
- Avg. temperature- 15° C to 40° C
- Weather- Hot, humid, and scattered rainfall
- Crowd density- Moderate
- Budget- Moderate
- Clothes to pack- soft cotton clothes, light cardigans
Monsoon in Rishikesh
- Months- June to September
- Avg. temperature- 24° C to 35° C
- Weather- pleasant weather, foggy, windy, high rainfall
- Crowd density- low
- Budget- low
- Clothes to pack- windcheater, poncho, raincoat, quick-drying and breathable cotton and linen clothe
Autumn in Rishikesh
- Months- October to November
- Avg. temperature- 17.2°C to 33.6°C
- Weather- pleasant weather, clear skies, sunny skies, light drizzles
- Crowd density- Low
- Budget- Low
- Clothes to pack- waterproof jacket, light cardigans, light sweaters
Winter in Rishikesh
- Months- December to February
- Avg. temperature- 8°C to 28°C
- Weather- pleasant daytime weather, cold evenings, dry weather
- Crowd density- high
- Budget- high
- Clothes to pack- hoodies, sweaters, waterproof jacket, gloves, scarves, long-sleeved shirts, and thermals
Places to Visit in Rishikesh
Lakshman Jhula: The Lakshman Jhula which is a 450-foot iron suspension bridge constructed across the Ganges River is one of the most popular places to visit in Rishikesh. It was built in 1929 to mark the place where Lord Lakshman used jute ropes to cross the river. Here, walking across this bridge gives you a chance to see the Ganga River and the temple of Triyambakeshwar
Ram Jhula: Constructed in 1986, the 750-foot Ram Jhula is a suspension bridge that overlooks the Ganga River in Rishikesh. People on foot and bikes use it to get from Sivananda Ashram to Swargashram. You can see the Ganga, shop for clothes and gems, go to ashrams in Rishikesh, and try boating near the bridge.
Triveni Ghat: Triveni Ghat is a holy spot on the banks of the Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati rivers in Rishikesh. You can join the Ganga Aarti at sunset after taking a holy dip here. In addition to the Maha Aarti, you can light oil diyas, chant bhajans, ring bells, play drums, and offer prayers. Once the aarti is over, you can also take a boat journey to explore the neighboring temples of Geeta and Lakshmi Narayan.
Shivpuri: Shivpuri, a popular location for Ganga white-water rafting, is only 17 kilometers from Rishikesh. On this 16 km stretch to Lakshman Jhula, you can raft through moderate-level Grade-III and III+ rapids like the Roller Coaster and Return to Sender. Additionally, you can indulge in beach camping, nature walks, and other adventure sports in Rishikesh like kayaking, and rappelling. To round off the trip you can see the temples of Siddheshwar and Mahua Shiva which are dedicated to Lord Shiva.
Adventure Activities to Do in Rishikesh
Rafting in Rishikesh: You can go rafting in Rishikesh on the Ganga River along four main sections. The 9 km Brahmpuri to Laxman Jhula section is a good place for beginners to start. If you want more excitement, explore the 16-kilometer Shivpuri stretch with seven rapids. If you are a skilled rafter, you can take on the demanding 35-kilometre Kaudiyala full-day adventure or the 26-kilometer Marine Drive course.
Bungee Jumping Rishikesh: You can try bungee jumping in Rishikesh at Mohanchatti, which has an 83-meter platform. You can enjoy a thrilling free fall while taking in beautiful views of the rocky cliffs, green forests and the Ganges river. You'll get a safety brief and high-quality gear before your jump, and a medal and badge to remember the experience.
Giant Swing in Rishikesh: Take a thrilling 5-minute plunge on India's highest giant swing in Rishikesh, and enjoy the thrill of freefall coupled with a huge swaying swing. You can choose between single, double, or triple rides to get the most thrills with friends or by yourself. With professional guides, safety gear, and stunning views of Shivpuri and the Ganges, you can feel assured.
Paragliding Rishikesh: From Thano (5,250 ft) or Shivpuri (1,500 ft), you can go on a 7–25-minute tandem paragliding in Rishikesh. You can fly above the Ganga River, Shivalik hills, jungles, and villages with trained pilots during this adventure. After riding in a vehicle to the takeoff location, you can put on safety gear, fly with a GoPro, and land in open fields.
Zipline in Rishikesh: Ziplining a length of 800 meters over the Ganges in Rishikesh and seeing the Himalayas around is one of the unmissable activities to do in Rishikesh. Hanging 70 meters above river level, you can travel up to 160 km/h across a 400-meter stretch. After the thrilling ride, you can be pulled back by a recovery system. On completing the activity you can relax while watching your ziplining videos and photos to remember it all.
Cuisines to try
- Chainsoo
- Phaanu
- Jhangora ki Kheer
- Gulgula
- Jholi ka Saag
- Dubuk
- Aloo Puri
- Chole Bhature
- Chaat
- Momo
- Samosa
- Lassi
- Chai
- Imarti
- Jalebi
Dining Places in Rishikesh
Chotiwala Restaurant: Chotiwala is one of the oldest places in Rishikesh City where you can get hearty North Indian thalis if you're hungry for comfort food. When you come here, you can also try Garhwali food like Kafuli and Aloo ke Gutke.
Shri Balaji Restaurant: Shri Balaji is the best place to go if you want to try South Indian food. It is run by cooks from Chennai and serves crispy dosas, soft uttapams, and tasty chutneys that make every bite taste heavenly.
Chidiya Ghar: Chidiya Ghar in Roseate Ganges is a fine dining spot to have dinner in the mountains if you want a peaceful and lovely evening. In the laid-back atmosphere here you can enjoy Garhwali-Kumaoni thalis and Himalayan views.
Rishikesh Freedom Cafe: Freedom Cafe is one of the best places to enjoy a relaxing cup of coffee by the Ganga river. With live music to set the scene, this place offers you a great view of the Ganga, soft pancakes, and frothy cold coffee.
Little Buddha Cafe: Try the treehouse-style dining at Little Buddha Cafe if you like your food with a view. On this restaurant's top floor, you can enjoy veggie platters, pizzas, and Buddha sandwiches while enjoying the refreshing river breeze.
Camps in Rishikesh
Riverside Camps: You can rent a Scooty in Rishikesh to reach Shivpuri Riverside camps that offer meals, and adjacent restroom tents. Rafting, beach games, bonfire nights, and a 5- to 10-minute stroll to the river are some of the things that you can indulge in.
Shivpuri’s Nature Vault: If you want to try camping in Rishikesh then Shivpuri’s Nature Vault Dome Camp in the middle of nature offers you opulent domes with a pool. You can do things like rafting, yoga, badminton, and campfires, which are great for a mix of relaxation and excitement.
Aspen Camp: With a multi-cuisine restaurant, a pool, and luxurious tents and cottages, the Aspen camp is situated in the Ghattu Ghat village. Rafting in Rishikesh, yoga, and other outdoor adventures like waterfall treks and cliff jumping are among the things you can try here.
Camp Hideaway: This riverbank camp, which is one of the places to visit near Rishikesh that provides a quiet camping experience with meals, sports, jungle treks, and bonfire nights. Located around 37 kilometers away on the Neelkanth Temple Road, this camp offers you stay in more than 15 alpine tents and 10 A.C. cottages.
Riverstone Camp: Situated around 28 kilometers from Rishikesh in Mohanchatti, it has family cabins, Swiss tents, and air-conditioned cottages. Once you rent a bike in Rishikesh and reach this camp you can indulge in nature walks, rafting, and trekking while you're here.
Shopping Places in Rishikesh
- At Rishikesh's markets, you can find a wide range of spiritual things, clothes, and handcrafted goods. For shoppers who want to see the city's colorful bazaars and unique items, these places are must-sees:
- Laxman Jhula market for colourful bags, jewellery, clothes, and spiritual brass items.
- Ramjhula market for DVDs, books, jewellery, clothes, trinkets, beads, kurtas, scarves and skirts
- Rishikesh Main market for perfumes, spices, footwear, accessories, and clothes
- Tapovan Market for ayurvedic products, dreamcatchers, ethnic jewellery, tie-dye clothing, and yoga gear.
- Shiv Gauri Pashmina World for cashmere scarves, carpets, silk jackets, gemstones, Kani and Pashmina shawls, sarees, and block-print bed sheets.
- Gole market for salwar suits, dupattas, lehengas, kurtas, sarees, necklaces, bangles, and earrings.
Festivals and Events in Rishikesh
Rishikesh's celebrations and events make the town happy, lively, and full of music. Thus, do take advantage of your trip by going to one of these fun events and festivals!
- Ganga Kayak Festival: February
- Basant Panchami: January/February
- Holi: March
- International Yoga Festival: March
- Ganga dussehra: May/June
- Kanwar Mela: July/August
Events
- Rishikesh Kirtan Fest: February to March
- Beatles Festival: October
Tips to Visit Rishikesh
- Avoid the intense heat and heavy rainfall by visiting Rishikesh in March–April or September–October.
- Come prepared with warm clothes if you plan to come between November and February as it gets cold in the mornings and evenings.
- Make reservations in advance to reserve spots for rafting and adventure activities during peak season.
- Keep identification cards and travel documents with you for security checks and check-ins.
- Bring cash with you as some small shops and campgrounds may not accept cards.
- Carry post-paid SIM cards for communication as prepaid SIMs frequently lose signal in this area.
- Use comfortable athletic shoes for extended hikes or outings in the outdoors.
- Before you travel, check the state of the roads as they may be damaged especially after the monsoon.
Interesting facts
- Rishikesh is named after Lord Hrishikesha, which is a form of Vishnu that means ‘Lord of the Senses’.
- It is referred to as the ‘Yoga Capital of the World’ and draws yoga enthusiasts from all around the world.
- The Char Dham Yatra, which includes Kedarnath, Badrinath, Gangotri, and Yamunotri, begins in Rishikesh.
- The city is a major center for Ayurvedic therapy and is home to India's first Ayurvedic Centre called Ayush, which opened in 2015.
- The Kailash Ashram BrahmavidyaPeetham, which was started in 1889, keeps the old Vedanta beliefs alive.
- According to legend, Lord Rama did prayers here after defeating Ravana.
- Originally constructed of jute, the Lakshman Jhula was replaced in 1889 by an iron bridge.
- Built in 1986, Ram Jhula links important temples like Lakshman Mandir and Bharat Mandir.
- The Beatles learned Transcendental Meditation at Maharishi Mahesh Yogi's ashram in Rishikesh in 1968, which inspired the Happy Rishikesh Song.
