Rishikesh

 Rishikesh

It is associated with Rama. According to legend, Ravana came on the advice of sage Vasistha to do penance for killing Ravana. The King of Lanka has many ancient temples and ashrams here that offer spiritual solace to pilgrims, most of them are Bharat Pushkar Temple, Shatrughan Temple, Lakhsaman Temple, Geeta Bhawan, and the temple of the Punjab region. Rishikesh, also known as "the place of sagas", is a spiritual city situated at a height of 24 km from Haridwar at the confluence of Chandrabatha and the Ganges. It is believed that Lord Raviya by the name of "Rishikesh" appeared as an answer to the difficult troubles by the sage and henceforth the name of this place is derived. It is the starting point of the Char Dham pilgrimage and is an ideal place not only for pilgrims but also for those who are interested in medicine, yoga, and other aspects of Hinduism. For adventure seekers, Rishikesh has suggested starting its trekking expedition to the Himalayan peaks and rafting. Also, International Yoga Week is worldwide. 

Triveni Ghat

A bathing bath that rotates with 'Aarti' performed every evening for the river Ganges.

Laxman swing

A suspension bridge across the Ganges River is a place worth visiting on the old route to the temples of Badrinath and Kedarnath.

How to reach:

By air

Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun is the nearest airport to Rishikesh which is about 35 kilometers away. Popular carriers like Air India, Spice Jet, and Jet Airways have daily flights from New Delhi. Apart from Delhi, there is also a flight from Lucknow to Dehradun. After arriving at the airport, you can opt for a regular taxi or bus service which is easily available from Dehradun to Rishikesh. The second-largest international airport of Rishikesh is in New Delhi which is well connected to various cities around the world.

By train

The nearest railway station to Rishikesh is Haridwar which is about 25 kilometers away. Haridwar is connected to major Indian cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Lucknow, and Varanasi. Some popular trains include Shatabdi Express, Jan Shatabdi, AC Special Express, and Mussoorie Express. For those traveling to Rishikesh, it is advisable to take a train to Haridwar and then either take a bus or taxi to Rishikesh. The bus takes about 45 minutes, a taxi will take you in about half an hour.

By road

Rishikesh is connected to other cities via National Highway 58, which remains in good condition for most of the year. A small part of the hilly area may be on small roads, but tourists prefer to take a taxi or reach Rishikesh. The drive from Delhi to Rishikesh will take around 6 to 7 hours.