Rishikesh is not only a spiritual destination but a perfect place to explore various activities. Many Hindu devotees visit this place to get directions and inspiration from the holy river Ganga. Also, Rishikesh is considered the Land of God.
The place Rishikesh is famously known as, the adventure capital of India. Starting from whitewater rafting on the Ganges to jungle waterfall trekking and more. Uttarakhand is a gem, fully loaded with all the adventure potential.
So, in this guide, I will help you out with a detailed travel guide with all the things that you can do at Rishikesh for those who are looking for adrenaline and adventurous trips.
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Rishikesh – A Blend Of Spirituality And Adventure
Rishikesh is one of the best places for an adventurous trip. It is also known as the “Yoga Capital of the World”, with a large number of spiritual seekers traveling here every year. It is a perfect mix of nature, spirituality, and adventures such as trekking, water sports, driving, and many more things to enjoy.
When you hear about river rafting the first thing that will strike your mind is Rishikesh. It also has lots of pilgrimage sites in a modern form such as Yoga, and divine principles which are followed in Rishikesh by the people for a very long period.
The place is covered with overlapping mountains, beautiful clouds, amazing temples, and a fast-flowing river.
Where Exactly Is Rishikesh?
The holy city, Rishikesh is situated in the sacred and heavenly states of Uttarakhand, India. The city lies at a distance of 250 km from the National capital Delhi and an hour away from Haridwar.
Haridwar and Rishikesh are commonly known as twin National Heritage cities of India.
How To Reach Rishikesh?
The city is connected through road networks, You can reach Rishikesh via air and train/bus as well. The nearest airport to Rishikesh is Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun. Then you can travel through regular bus service/taxi to reach Rishikesh.
Trains are very convenient, and you can easily reach Rishikesh from any place directly via Haridwar, which is linked to all the major cities of India. Rishikesh gives you many magical views throughout the year. It has pleasant and breezy weather that gives the traveler an enjoyable experience.
Why Visit Rishikesh?
Laxman Jhula
The suspension bridge lies over River Ganga for the Pedestrians and connects the Tapovan and Jonk village of Rishikesh. Most legend says that the Hindu deity Bhagwan Laxman has once crossed the river with the help of a jute rope, but at present, it was converted into an iron bridge which is present at the same spot and is known as Laxman Jhula.
As you pass through this historic bridge you can enjoy the magnificent view of the flowing Ganga.
This place is a real heaven for all the adventure seekers, which is also known as the gateway to Garhwal Himalayas and is very popular among travelers for various reasons. The Chardham yatra (Badrinath, Kedarnath, Yamunotri, and Gangotri) begins from here.
Yoga Is Of The Essence
You cannot always control what goes on outside, but you can always control what goes on inside. Yoga is a light, once lit, will never dim. The better your practice, the brighter the flame
Yoga is the essence to control what’s going on inside. It is the light that once lit never dims. By practicing more you get better at this.
Rishikesh is the Yoga capital of the world. It has many beautiful authentic ashrams that teach yoga. It gives a life-changing experience, the yoga retreats of Rishikesh are the center of attractions for the vast throng of travelers. Rishikesh is a dreamy yoga destination that provides meditations and yoga classes, training programs, and many more.
Here is the list of some best ashrams in Rishikesh –
1. Parmarth Niketan – An Abode Dedicated to the Welfare of All
2. Anand Prakash Yoga Ashram & Retreats
3. Omkarananda Patanjala Yoga Kendra
4. Yoga Niketan Ashram
5. Swami Dayananda Ashram
6. Phool Chatti Ashram
7. Patanjali International Yoga Foundation
8. Himalayan Yog Ashram
9. Shree Mahesh Heritage Meditation School
10. Osho Gangadham
11. Sadhana Mandir Ashram
12. Yoganandham
13. Mahatma Yoga Ashram
14. Maa Yoga Ashram
15. Tattvaa Yogashala
Rafting Is Worthwhile In Rishikesh
As Ganga is a fast-flowing river, its amazing rapids at Rishikesh make the place even more adventurous. The travelers at Rishikesh feel lucky to enjoy the Rafting/ Kayaking experience and much more.
It is one of the best places in India for rafting and other water sports. Its predefined routes are filled with exciting rapids, that give a variety of options to choose from, and you can enjoy these sports throughout the year that making the trips more memorable, pleasurable, and daring.
Hike Or Ride To Kunjapuri Devi Temple
Kunjapuri Devi Temple is situated at a distance of 26 Kilometres from Rishikesh along the steep and winding mountain roads. By visiting here the travelers can get an epic and awe-inspiring adventure, mostly through a motorbike. The path is filled with many forests and dusty roads with snow-capped mountains.
The temple lies on a hill with an elevation of around 1600m. It gives an incredible view of the snow-clad Himalayas surrounded by foothills. To reach the temple you need to climb 300 stairs from the entrance gate.
Visit The “Beatles Ashram”
Whether you are a religious person or not, taking a stroll down the River Ganga gives immense powerful and spiritual emotions to everyone visiting the place. As you visit Rishikesh you can understand the reasons why the Beatles chose this place to get inspiration for their “White Album” in the 1960s. This shows exactly what Mccartney and Lennon have wanted since then, as 24 million copies of the hits were sold later.
Rock Climbing
At Rishikesh, you can also enjoy rock climbing, which is a must to add to your adventure list while traveling to this place. The location is filled with many great rock climbing locations. Many adventure tours and travel companies offer the traveler to enjoy the rock climbing experience.
Watch Sunset On The Ganges
After having a long adventure, its time to enjoy the Rishikesh chill sunset,
As you head down on the riverbanks, cafes, and rooftops near Laxman Jhula and end our day with the incredible Uttarakhand sunsets,
Conclusion :
So these are some of the best things that you must do while traveling to this beautiful place. You can choose your travel guide to get a better traveling experience of this beautiful place Rishikesh.
