Spirituality is the art of loving the Almighty, the science of connecting with God and a sense of divine experiences. And Rishikesh, is the Devbhoomi (Land of God). Located in the foothills of the Himalayas in Uttarakhand, Rishikesh is a revered pilgrimage centre. The pious Ganges flow through it, adding to its scenic charm. Rishikesh is the Yoga Capital of the World and an excellent place to meditate. It now attracts adventure lovers too.
With a span of 450 feet and 6 feet carriage, Lakshman Jhula is a suspension bridge over the River Ganga and a popular attraction in Rishikesh. Legends from the Ramayan reveal that Lakshman crossed the river on a jute rope bridge that was later replaced by an iron rope suspension bridge in 1889. It got washed away in the October 1924 floods and then was replaced by a stronger bridge, which is what we see now.
Lakshman Jhula is like a link between Rishikesh city and holy side of it. It swings, when it is over crowded and it is thronged by tourists, locals, two wheelers and of course monkeys! Beware of these monkeys as they may even get aggressive and are waiting to pounce upon anything flashy that you are carrying (eatables, bottles, etc). The views of the bridge and surrounding areas during the evening will surely steal your heart! Stand over the bridge, feel the pure Ganga flowing downstream and lovely mountains all around – the image speaks about it all.
The Tera Manzil temple or Trimbakeshwar Temple, with 13 floors looks beautiful during the evening. There are also eateries and shopping spots near Lakshman Jhula.
Do not hurry to cross the bridge. Rather stop, relish the scenes around and feel this authentic part of India!
To know more about Rishikesh, you may refer to the following:
