Rishikesh Sightseeings: Museums, Local tours, Forts, Monuments, Historical places, Temples, Amusement Parks, Beaches. A complete Rishikesh sightseeing guide.
Adventure
White Water Rafting
The main sporting activity in Rishikesh is White Water Rafting. It has grown to a popular and adventurous spot for white water rafting enthusiasts as the place offers a spectacular experience of medium to very tough and rough rapids in the regions of River Ganges. Many adventurous tourists both from India and abroad visit this place to experience the real challenges of white water rafting.
All facilities for white water rafting is available here, and there are training guides for rafting from whom a tourist can take help in this sport. September-November and March-May are ideal for rafting.
Architectural
Laxman Jhula
Lakshman (Laxman) Jhula, a very long of about 450 ft Iron Bridge suspended over the mighty Ganges River, is constructed in the year 1939. It is situated nearby to Swarga Ashram in Rishikesh. The story behind this bridge is legendary, related to the crossing of the Ganges River on the Jute ropes by the epic character Lakshmana and it is believed that the bridge is built at the same place. There is a Lakshmana temple located at the west bank of Ganges, revealing the deed act of Lakshmana.
The bridge attracts many tourists not only because of its legendary story, but due the number of temples and ashrams scattered around the bridge. A new swinging bridge, constructed a few years back and known as Ram Jhula (also Shivanand Jhula), is nearby.
Religious
Bharat Mandir
Bharat Mandir, an ancient temple founded by Adiguru Shankaracharya during the 12th century, is an imposing shrine located in the heart of the city Rishikesh. The main deity installed here is of Lord Vishnu, the idol is being carved out from a single piece of Saligram. A spectacular sacred Shree Yanthra is placed at the inner canopy of the temple. The details of this ancient temple are recorded in the very old record of Kearkhand. Present temple is the renovated one reconstructed on the ruins of the original temple destroyed by Tamur. Recent excavations brought out many old statues, ancient pots and coins from this site.This is a nice location for tourists who look for ancient religious places and historical facts.
Nilkantha Mahadev Temple
A nearby attraction of Rishikesh Neelkanth (Nilkanth) Mahadev Temple, perfectly placed at the confluence of Pankaja and Madhumati rivers, is assumed to be one of the most respected temples in Haridwar District of Uttaranchal. This enchanting revered shrine is placed at an altitude of 1330 m with its main deity as Lord Shiva. The panoramic view of surrounding hills of Brahmakoot, Vishnukoot and Manikoot is very attractive.
The name Neelkanth for Lord Shiva has a mythology related to the drinking of poison known as Kalakoot obtained when churning the sea and after drinking the poison thr throat of Lord became blue (neela) and hence the name Neelakanth. It is believed that the event occurred here in this place where the temple is located. Many thousands devotees throng to this temple during two annual festivals, one in Shivratri and another in the month of Shravan (July-August).
Shri Tryambakeshwar Temple
Tryambakeshvar temple in Rishikesh is set on the backdrop of beautifumajestic Himalayan ranges. It is a well maintained and neatly kept calm religious abode of Lord Shiva. Tryambakeshvar, means the abode of the three eyed one i.e. Lord Shiva, is considered as one of the twelve Jyotirlingas(self emanated lingas). It is very well placed on the banks of Ganges and the natural beauty around the temple is amazing. Many poojas are offered here by the devotees. Shivarathri is celebrated here with much enthusiasm and vigour.
Swarg Niwas Temple
A spectacular temple constructed in huge 13 storey building, Swarg Niwas is a temple unparallel to any other temple in India. It is owned by an organization led by the guru Kailashanand. It has a beautiful and unique color combination, orange colored construction and tapering into thin turrets at the top of the temple. Each floor has separate shrines for various Hindu Gods.
The environment is spiritual, calm and serene. The Pristine beauty of Rishikesh is visible from the top floor of Swarga Niwas
Gita Bhavan
Gita Bhavan is dedicated as a Museum for puranic and mythological awareness of the common public. The Gita Bhavan encloses many paintings and statues of characters from Hindu Mythology. The paintings include the renowned Gita Sandesh depicting Lord Krishna and the great Pandava Warrior Arjuna in a Chariot in the Kurukshetra War field. The statues and sculptures are very attractive and give detailed information on the Hindu Gods and Goddesses and the Hindu culture in the ancient period.
Omkarananda Ashram
Omkarananda Ashram, run by a group of Sanyasis (sages) and located at a place Muni-Ke-Reti the bank of river Ganges, is established long back in 1967. The Ashram is under the dynamic leadership of Shri. Omkarananda, a recipient of many awards and is engaged in many social activities for the accomplishment of spiritual and physical well being of the society.
The activities are mainly in the fields of cultural, social, religious and educational.The Ashram is hosting a kindergarten and a school, where classic Indian music and dance classes are also conducted. This ashram offers yoga classes for benefit of public.
Sivananda Ashram
Established in 1932 by the great Indian Sage Swami Shivananda, Sivananda Ashram is located on the banks of the holy river Ganges at the foothills of the Himalayan ranges. Swami Sivananda established this ashram with a sacred idea of promoting spiritualism and of providing the spiritual practice for devotees.
Many charitable and spiritual activities are comducted under the auspices of the Ashram; they include Yoga-Vedanta Forest Academy, Sivananda Eye Hospital and Sivananda Ayurvedic Pharmacy. Yoga classes are conducted daily for the public in the Ashram.
Triveni Ghat
Triveni Ghat, a confluence of three holy important Rivers the Ganges, the Yamuna and the Saraswathy, is a most revered sacred bathing spot in Rishikesh and is situated on the banks of Ganges River. It is of belief that those who take a dip in Triveni Ghat will have salvation, a relief from all sins carried out; the water here has the power to purify them. Devotees make many offerings at Triveni ghat, in the early morning at sunrise they offer milk to the river and happily feed the fish in the Ghat. An impressive view of lamps floated in the river as part of aarti ceremony is pleasing to eyes after the sunset.
This is a place where all tourists reaching Rishikesh pay visit without missing. A good place for religious visitors also.
Getaway
Kaudiyala
Kaudiyala, a perfect place for rock climbing, is located 380 m high of sea level nearby Rishikesh. The place is surrounded by dense forests and very picturesque in appearance. Visitors are enchanted with the rare view of a number of wild animals in their natural habitat.
White water rafting is a good sport practiced here. For adventurous tourists camping facilities are available. Rafting equipments and proper guidance for the sports activities are provided in these camps. Dynamic tourists are steadily attracted towards these neat and calm surroundings.
Shivpuri
A small serene town in the National Highway between Rishikesh and Patisira, Shivpuri is renowned for its temples and religious glamour. Shivpuri, literally mean the house of Lord Shiv, is credited with many ancient temples, especially that of God Shiva. The town is a hub of many ancient ritualistic religious activities. The tourists are attracted towards this calm town due to its pristine beauty. Nature has abundantly showered this small town with lots of natural comforts.
