Places to See in Rishikesh
Bharat Mandir
The Bharat Mandir is one of the major reasons behind the success of Rishikesh as a holy town in India. The temple was established way back in the 8th century by Adiguru Shankaracharya on the banks of the River Ganges. The temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu.
Triveni Ghat
A dip in the Triveni Ghat is an absolute must for all visitors in Rishikesh. Pilgrims can be seen taking the holy dip at this ghat as it promises to wash away one's sins and purify their soul. People also gather here to witness the grand Ganga Arti that takes place every evening.
Rishikund
Rishikund is a holy tank near Triveni Ghat. According to popular belief, this tank was filled with holy water by Goddess Yamuna.
Neelkanth Mahadev Temple
It is situated atop a hill near Swarga Ashram at 1,675 meters altitude on the outskirts of Rishikesh. The temple lies amid the valleys of Manikoot, Brahmakoot and Vishnukoot at the confluence of the rivers Pankaja and Madhumati. It is surrounded by dense forests and mountain ranges. According to Hindu mythology, the temple stands at the exact spot where Lord Shiva drank the Venom that emanated after the churning of the ocean to obtain the 'Amrita' or the elixir of life.
Parmarth Niketan
Located on the banks of Ganga, it is one of the oldest ashrams in India where children still get educated in the Vedic scriptures. Parmarth Niketan is famous for its hawans on the ghat and a must-visit in the evenings when the 'arati' takes place. Many also visit the ashram to gain knowledge about the science of Yoga.
Shivpuri
Shivpuri is situated on the banks of the Ganga at a distance of 19 kms from Rishikesh. It has a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. Shivpuri offers various opportunities for indulging in adventure sports such as river rafting. Equipments, excellent safety standards and trained guides are available for the convenience of the visitors.
Geeta Bhawan
The Geeta Bhavan is another prominent temple complex in Rishikesh. It also happens to be one of the oldest temples in the region. The pillars of the temples are very unique as they are engraved with scenes and writings from the epics Ramayana and Mahabharata.
Lakshman Jhula
The Lakshman Jhula is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Rishikesh. It is a hanging bridge built in the year 1929. According to mythology, Lakshman, the younger brother of Lord Ram, had crossed the River Ganga from this site. It also acts as a connector to the many temples situated in the region.
The Beatles Ashram
The enduringly popular rock band, 'The Beatles', travelled to Rishikesh in 1968 to attend a session of meditation at the ashram of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. It was this visit that changed the world's perception of Indian spirituality. This was considered to be the Beatles' most productive time; they wrote various songs during this visit, most of which gained huge popularity and commercial success.
