Top 10 Places To Visit In Rishikesh
1. NEELKANTH MAHADEV MANDIR
The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. Neelkanth itself means “blue-throated one,” is derived from a Hindu legend. Here, Lord Shiva consumed a deadly poison during the Samudra Manthan to protect the world which turned his throat into blue colour. It is located over the hills of Rishikesh perched at around 1330 m. Thousands of devotees visit the temple through the year in hope of fulfilment of their wishes. It can be reached either by a vehicle or by trekking through the forest.
2. TRIVENI GHAT
Triveni Ghat is a place for the spiritual connected souls. Special fact about Triveni Ghat is that it consists of Ganga, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati. The Maha Ganga Aarti is to live for. Diyas, chanting and songs make it more special. People are filled with so much love during the aarti. Usually after aarti, all the devotees form a group and dance near The Ganga. It is truly spiritual and peaceful. This place holds a deeply calm space for meditation and yoga. Even photographers find it interesting to capture the beauty of Triveni Ghat Maha Aarti. Later after aarti, you can visit the local market and purchase various gifts for your loved ones.
3. THE BEATLES ASHRAM
The original name of the Beatles Ashram in Rishikesh was Chaurasi Kutia and was an ashram established by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. Later the English Rock Band, The Beatles, stayed there in 1968 for meditation and to write songs. The ashram gained fame and since then, it has been called “The Beatles Ashrams”. It has 84 huts in total. People often meditate in the huts. It is the best place to relax and meditate in the peace of nature and woods. The ruins are plastered with vibrant street art of Beatles lyrics and images of Maharishi.
4. LAKSHMAN JHULA AND RAM JHULA
Ram Jhula and Lakshman Jhula are bridges over The Gangas in Rishikesh. Lakshman Jhula is a bridge over The Gangas believed to be crossed by Lord Lakshman. Lakshman Jhula connects with many aesthetic cafes and amazing market of music instruments, yoga apparels, book stores and various other kind of stuff. It holds spiritual energy. Ram Jhula is near the Lakshman Jhula. Ram Jhula is slightly longer than Lakshman Jhula and is less crowded. Many devotees take a dip in the Ganges before crossing the bridges. It is an amazing experience to walk where gods are believed to have walked.
5. KUNJAPURI TEMPLE
Kunjapuri Temple is special for its spiritual significance as it is believed to be one of 52 Shakti Peethas. Devotees come here to seek blessings of Goddess Durga. According to the residents of Rishikesh, prayers here are fulfilled quickly. People attend morning Aarti, witness beautiful sunrise and even do meditation there. It is also popular for trekking. The trek is about 12 km.
6. NEER WATERFALL
Neer waterfall is located in the Tapovan area of Rishikesh. You can reach there by car and then requires a short hiking. The waterfall is nestled amidst lush green forests and rolling hills, providing a peaceful and picturesque setting. The waterfall being a natural beauty make it a great spot for relaxation and meditation. It is a great picnic spot for families, couples, friends and even solo travellers.
7. SHIVPURI (ADVENTURE HUB)
This place is known for its blend of adventure and fun. It is one of the top adventure and camping places in North India. It is mostly famous for rafting. From heavy rapids to basic water flow of water, one can enjoy the adventure of rafting. You can experience various other adventure activities over there. But avoid doing rafting and other activities during Monsoon as it is very risky. You can also find peace through yoga and meditation in Shivpuri.
8. SECRET WATERFALL
It is similar to that of Neer Waterfall. It is a hidden gem away from crowded tourist spots. The trek to the waterfall is easy. It offers a private and peaceful environment. This waterfall is located between Tapovan and Neer Waterfall road. You should must carry clothes and wear proper shoes as suitable for trekking. Best time to visit the waterfall is October to March as it provides pleasant weather but to get chills in the warmer days you should visit there during summers. Avoid visiting in Monsoon.
9. LITTLE BUDDHA CAFE
Little Buddha Cafe serves you with great food and great views. It is located near the Lakshman Jhula alongside The Gangas. Ambience of the cafe is amazing. The menu is huge, offering- Indian, Tibetan, Italian, Mexican & Israeli (pure vegetarian). This place is usually crowded and the service might be slow during peak season. But food and ambience overcome these cons. Don’t forget to reserve a seat near The Gangas view for best experience.
10. JANKI SETU
It is first three-lane bridge in Uttarakhand offering two lanes for 2-wheelers and the third one for walking. The bridge provides breathtaking panoramic views of the Ganges, temples, ashrams, and the surrounding hills. The bridge looks mesmerising during night with the beautiful alignment of lights. The bridge is named after Goddess Sita (also known as Janki). It is a modern suspension bridge with a sleek and clean design. Janki Setu offers a quite and peaceful environment.
