Rishikesh

State :

Uttarakhand

Climate :

Rishikesh has a moderate climate for most part of the year. In the peak summer months though, temperatures do go beyond 40° C. Winters are pleasant, and occasionally nights can get chilly.

Significance :

A Hindu Pilgrimage Site and the Capital of Yoga & Meditation

Rishikesh - the Mecca of Yoga & Meditation :

The pilgrimage town of Rishikesh lies at the foothills of the Himalayas along the banks of the holy river Ganges. Rishikesh is the home to many ashrams including some of the major Indian ashrams like Vivekananda, Sivananda, Osho, Bihar school of yoga. It is a great place to experience classical Indian yoga. Classes conducted are slow and the spiritual atmosphere generated is enjoyable. The people in Rishikesh are warm and friendly and people here are generally driven by religion.

As a pilgrimage point, Rishikesh houses many earnest Hindus and wandering sadhus (holy men). Many deities come to bathe in the pure waters of the Ganges, as Hindus believe this can remove their bad karma and purify them. Rishikesh is a scenic place where sun rises from behind the mountains, and fills the place with its golden rays and merge with the waves of Ganga to present the most beautiful mornings. Live temple chanting sets the tone around 4 am in the morning and fills the air with pure mantras. During night time pujas (ceremonies), offerings of hundreds of camphor flame leaf boats float on the river to present the most magnificent views.

Connectivity :

• By Air - The nearest airport is the Jolly Grant in Dehradun/70 Kms away.
• By Rail - The nearest railhead for Rishikesh is Haridwar, which is well connected to Delhi by superfast Shatabdi express trains. There is also an overnight service from Delhi to Haridwar.
• By Road - Rishikesh is well connect to Delhi (250 kms), Dehradun (55 kms), Haridwar (25 kms). Rishikesh also serves as a base town for pilgrimages to Badrinath, Kedarnath etc.

Highlights of the City :

• Laxman Jhoola: At a distance of 5 kms. north of Rishikesh is the place where Sri Laxman is said to have performed Tapa. The Laxman Temple was built in his memory. Till 1889, there was just a hanging jute rope bridge without pillars. The same was later rebuilt with iron ropes.
• Neel Kanth Mahadev: The trek up to the temple gives you a spectacular wide angled view of the Himalayan peaks, babhar. forests and the plains below. The temple is situated at a height of 5,500 ft. above sea level and is about 12 kms. from Laxman jhoola.