Rishikesh
The Land of Rishis
Rishikesh India is a holy land, located north of Haridwar on the banks of Ganga. Rishikesh is known as the yoga and spiritual capital of India. It is surrounded by Garhwal hills on the three sides and River Ganga flowing through it. Rishikesh Yatra is the ideal pilgrimage if you are looking for solace and an environment to meditate and connect to the inner self. Rishikesh is known as the land of Rishis as it is the place where sages and saints have been meditating for ages. The legend has it that sage Rajbhya Rishi did rigorous reparation and as a reward God appeared to him in the form of Hrishikesh. Rishikesh is also the very place where Lord Vishnu vanquished the devil Madhu. Tapovan on the other bank of Ganga has a temple dedicated to Laxmana, younger brother of Lord Rama. It is said that Laxmana carried out penance here. Rishikesh is known as Tapo Bhumi or the land of meditation of gods. One can find accommodations in ashrams as well as hotels in Rishikesh.
Attractions
The attractions in Rishikesh India include the numerous ancient temples and ashrams that stand as abode of serenity and spirituality at the banks of River Ganga. A main attraction is the evening ‘Aarti’ on the banks , where in hundreds of devotees gather to pay their obeisance to Goddess Ganga. In the evening you can see beautiful cupped leaves with marigold petals and camphor flames, which look like numerous twinkling stars floating in the river. Another main attraction that you should not miss on a Rishikesh Yatra is the Laxmana Jhoola which was built in 1939, which is made of iron but is completely suspended in the air. The bridge was built over river Ganga for the convenience of locals to cross the river, but today it’s a key attraction in Rishikesh. When you cross the bridge, you can feel the bridge swaying and the cool breeze that embraces you is completely rejuvenating. Mahadeo Temple is another interesting attraction. The temple is dedicated to lord Shiva and it is said that when the ocean was being churned for ‘Amrit’ then first venom came out. Lord Shiva drank the venom at a place called Nilkanth Mahadeo.
Ashrams
The 238 km road from New Delhi to Rishikesh is worth travelling. The holistic environment and spiritual ambience that you get here, you won’t get anywhere in the world. This city of ashrams is the perfect place to meditate and connect to god. There are numerous ashrams in Rishikesh that are situated at the banks of Ganga. Even though you can accommodate yourself at various hotels in Rishikesh, but ashrams are the best places to anchor yourself if you want to get the true essence of Rishikesh. Parmarth Niketan is one of the most famous ashrams in Rishikesh. The ashram is known for its works in Hinduism. The ashram also has a Gurukul, an ancient Indian pattern of schooling that dates back to Ramayana and Mahabharata, when Teachers were treated next to god. Other ashrams are Swarga Ashram, Shiva Nanda Ashram and Ved Niketan.
Trip packages and bookings
Rishikesh packages don’t only offer visit to the temples and ashrams. One can also rejuvenate here by indulging in adventure sports such as white water river rafting and trekking. You can also find Rishikesh tour packages that include visit to nearby pilgrimage centres like Haridwar, Badrinath, Gangotri and Yamnotri as well. One can reach New Delhi to Rishikesh through Air, train as well as bus. There are a number of interstate buses plying from various cities to Rishikesh. Your transportation ticket charges are generally included in the packages.
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