Rishikesh is one of the most popular tourist hotspots among the young
Indian population. Tranquilising beauty, architectural marvels, grand
temples and a never ending list of adventure sports — Rishikesh is a
platterful of two opposite worlds.
Be
it a rejuvenating session of meditation and an over-crowded yet
glorious Ganga aarti or an adventurous river rafting – this city has got
something for everyone.
With such diversity, it is never an easy job to select locations one should visit here. So,
from all the marvels that this city has, I have tried to shortlist 15
best places to visit in Rishikesh to help you plan your trip.
1. Laxman Jhula and Ram Jhula: The swinging Rishikesh
The
450 feet long iron suspended bridges – Laxman and Ram Jhula – are the
glory of this beautiful tourist hub. The bridges are 4 km from the
Rishikesh railway station. Apart from offering scenic beauty, these
architectural marvels are important pilgrimage spots and are definitely
top places to visit in Rishikesh. One can also visit famous
Trayambakeshwar temple, Ram temple, and Laxman temple, situated in the
vicinity.
Must do: Witness the mesmerising waves of Ganges and temples nearby, visit the 13 storeyed Trayambakeshwar temple,attend aarti
2. The Beatles Ashram: For the love of Beatles
The
Maharishi Mahesh Yogi ashram got globally acclaimed after Beatles
visited this serene place. The calmness and tranquility of this place
will leave you spell-bound and explain why this ashram is one of the
best tourist places in Rishikesh. A quiet session of meditation here
will make you fall in love with its spiritual beauty. Though it lacks
maintenance and information, this quiet getaway is worth visiting.
Must do: Sit back, enjoy the calmness of this place. Do check out the hall where the band meditated.
Entry charges: INR 150 for Indians | INR 600 for foreigners.
3. Shivpuri: Camping and volleyball by the river bank
19 km from Rishikesh, lies this town of Shivpuri which is pure heaven. Located on the banks of Ganges, this town offers a wide variety of adventure options and is one of the best places to visit in Rishikesh. The main attraction of Shivpuri are the camps by the river bank. One can choose from various adventures such as rafting, trekking, and boating and trust us on this — a weekend stay at this place would be worth every penny.
Must do: Overnight jungle camping, visit Sakhya Sagar Lake and Karera Bird sanctuary
Must Read: 17 Super Fun Things To Do In Rishikesh
4. Neelkanth Mahadev Temple: A Sacred Abode of Lord Shiva
Situated at 1670 m, amidst the sylvan forest, the Neelkanth Mahadev Temple is located 12 km from the town of Rishikesh. It is one of the most sacred Shiva shrines in India and also one of the best religious places to see in Rishikesh.The inside tomb depicting the saga of Samudramanthan is one of the key attractions here. The temple also has a freshwater spring which attracts many devotees for a bath.
Must do: Attend the annual festivals during February, March, July and August
5. Triveni Ghat: For framing the aarti
Triveni Ghat is a crowded ghat alongside the river Ganges, with pilgrims bathing around and is one of the points of interest in Rishikesh. It’s altogether a different site during the evening aarti. The spirituality and aura around this place will take you to a different world.
Triveni ghat is among the most sacred ghats in Rishikesh with a congruence of three rivers – Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati. A visit to this place will give you an insight to the spiritual beauty of Rishikesh.
Must do: Attend the famous Ganga aarti and get dazzled by the sight of floating lamps in the river. Visit the market, nearby, if you wish to buy precious stones.
6. Neer Garh Waterfall: A perfect trekking getaway
Two kilometers from the Laxman Jhula, a visit to this mesmerising waterfall will leave you awestruck. It will hold you captive in its eternal beauty. Overall, the place is perfect for a much-needed timeout from the hustle of the hectic traveling. One of the best tourist places in Rishikesh, Neer Garh waterfall also attracts many wanderer photographers.
Must do: Trek to the top of the waterfall and experience the tranquil beauty of this natural beauty.
7. Kaudiyala: For a rafting spree
White water rafting in Rishikesh is largely concentrated around Kaudiyala and its banks. It is a major Rishikesh tourist place in the holy town. This 16 km stretch of Kaudiyala is one of the best white water rafting zones in the world.
Must do: White-water rafting, boating, camping by the river
8. Jumpin Heights: Jumping, flying and a lot more
Actually, Rishikesh is an adventurer’s paradise. There are endless options for adventure activities and bungee jumping happens to be one of the most popular ones. Jumpin Heights is where you get to explore a wide range of adrenaline pumping options. The team at Jumpin Heights offers a varied range of options like bungee jumping, flying fox, and giant swings.
Must do: Bungee jumping, flying fox and the giant swing are three things you ought to try.
Website
Suggested Read: 5 Spine Chilling Bungee Jumping Experiences You Can Have Only In India
9. Swarg Ashram: The oldest ashram of India
Nestled between Ram Jhula and Laxman Jhula, lies this oldest ashram of India called as Swarg Ashram which is one of the points of interest in Rishikesh. Built in the remembrance of Swami Vishudhanand, this place is an ideal sojourn. Located at an isolated river bank, it is a perfect mediation site as well. One can simply watch the sunset and enjoy the natural beauty of this place.
Must do: There isn’t much one could do but then just sitting by the aesthetic beauty of this place is a lifetime experience, attend yoga and meditation sessions.
Charges for Yoga and meditation: INR 300 for each course
10. Rishi Kund: Hot water springs for sages
Rishikund, a.k.a the Pond of Sages, is a place you wouldn’t want to miss. The hot water spring with various mythological references attracts many pilgrims every year. Being part of Raghunath temple and close to Shani and Triveni Sangam, this place is easily accessible and is one of the best places to visit in Rishikesh.
Must do: Bathe in the hot water spring, try your hands at photography to capture the reflection of Raghunath temple in the pond
11. Geeta Bhawan: A tourist place as well as a free shelter
This is one of the best Rishikesh tourist places and features many a folk tales and has been a famous pilgrimage since ages. No trip to Rishikesh is complete without a stay at this free shelter. The large complex is built on the bank of Ganges and offers shelter to more than 1000 pilgrims every day.
A visit to this place during summers and interacting with people residing here will give you a different insight into living life.
Opening timings: 7 am – 9 pm, everyday
12. Vashishta Gufa: A small getaway
An ancient cave, away from the city lights, it is an ideal weekend destination and is one of the major places to see in Rishikesh. A blend of serenity and calm surrounding, this destination attracts thousands of tourist, looking for blissful time.
13. Kunjapuri Temple: For a mesmerizing sunset!
30 minutes drive from Rishikesh, lies the Kunjapuri temple at a height of 1700 m which is one of the greatest tourist places in Rishikesh. It is an easy trek to the top of the temple, but once you conquer it, the view of the sunrise amidst the mighty Himalaya and Doon valley on the south will leave you awe-struck. A trek on the last day of the visit, here, is the best end to an amazing Rishikesh adventure.
