About Rishikesh

Rishikesh—the “Yoga Capital of the World” and “Gateway to the Himalayas”—is a sacred city based on the banks of the Ganges River in Uttarakhand, India. With thousands of years of rich history, it is one of the most spiritually important places in India.

This city’s history is intrinsically interlinked with Hindu mythology since this region has been a place of meditation and spirituality for thousands of years. The name “Rishikesh” is a combination of two Sanskrit words: “Rishi,” which means sage, and “Ish,” meaning lord. According to legend, the great sage Raibhya Rishi did tapasya here, which pleased the gods to grant him a divine vision of Lord Vishnu. It is said that Lord Vishnu himself came in the form of “Rishikesh” to grant the sage his wish. The history of the city is based on the connection with Lord Vishnu and the concept of purification through penance and meditation.

The oldest records regarding Rishikesh can be found in the ancient books, such as the Mahabharata and Ramayana. It is said that the heroes of the Mahabharata, the Pandavas, during their exile, visited this place and performed rituals here. There are also hints about Rishikesh in the Ramayana, where Lord Rama and his brother Lakshmana crossed the Ganges over a jute rope bridge known as “Lakshman Jhula.”.

It continued growing into the centre for spiritual practice, attracting many saints and sages throughout ancient and mediaeval times. The region continued under different Hindu dynasties, who contributed to the development of religious infrastructure, including temples and ashrams. Yet, it was during the mediaeval period, under the reign of the Gupta and Pala dynasties, that Rishikesh’s spiritual significance deepened further.

Rishikesh In the Mughal period, the influence of the Islamic culture had been adopted in most regions of India, but Rishikesh lost nothing regarding its position in Hindu worship. In the political turmoil that arose in the region, many Hindu temples and ashrams continued to thrive.

Contemporary History and the Emergence of Yoga

Recognition of Rishikesh at the international level had started in the 19th and 20th centuries with the emergence of some great spiritual leaders like Swami Sivananda and Swami Vivekananda. It is said that in the early years of the 1900s, Swami Sivananda established the Divine Life Society in Rishikesh, which developed to be a great centre of spiritual learning and yoga. Thousands of seekers came in contact with him from all around the world.

International attention was received by Rishikesh in the 1960s when The Beatles came to study Transcendental Meditation under Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. That was the start of the international fame of Rishikesh as a destination for yoga and spiritual retreats. This connection of the Beatles brought international tourists, hence placing the city at a top position in yoga and meditation.

Today, Rishikesh is an alive, pulsating city that still remains the epicentre of spirituality, yoga, and meditation. The city has evolved into one of the world’s great destinations through which people from all walks of life come and go in search of its serene ambiance and spiritual ambiance. In addition to that spiritual significance, Rishikesh offers many adventure sport activities. Some of those are rafting, trekking, and camping accompanied by a fabulous Himalayan backdrop.

Famous Places in Rishikesh:

Triveni Ghat

It is the biggest ghat in Rishikesh. Here is where pilgrims take their bath. Many believe that water from this place will make the soul pure. It is the only spot where millions of devotees bathe in the Ganges River every evening. At Triveni Ghat a Ganga Aarti is conducted that attracts thousands of devotees in an effort to pray to the River Goddess.

Lakshman Jhula

This one is the most popular suspension bridge, which connects the village of Tapovan and Jonk, along with crossing over the River Ganges. It is said to believe that Lord Rama’s brother, Lakshman, had crossed over the river on the jute rope. Hence, it is called Lakhman Jhula. Lakshman Jhula is not only marvellous in engineering but also holds a religious significance.

Ram Jhula

It also follows Ram Jhula. It is another very iconic suspension bridge in Rishikesh connecting Swarg Ashram to Shivananda Ashram. The view of the Ganges River and hills beyond is quite spectacular from this bridge. Devotees and tourists alike stroll through the bridge, basking in the peaceful environment around.

Neelkanth Mahadev Temple

Neelkanth Mahadev Temple is one of the most worshipped temples in the region. It is located at around 12 kilometres from Rishikesh. As the myth goes, at this very temple site, Lord Shiva had consumed the poison that arose in the ocean through its churning. So because his throat became blue, he became famous as “Neelkanth,” or the blue-throated one. This temple lies on the hilltop, and a scenic view of forests from atop is stunning.

Parmarth Niketan Ashram

Parmarth Niketan is one of the biggest and most famous ashrams in Rishikesh. Founded by Swami Shukdevanand in 1942, this place is known for its spiritual learning and meditation. It is recognised for the evening Ganga Aarti, yoga classes, and many spiritual retreats held within the premises. Many international tourists visit this ashram, but it attracts the same number of Indian devotees looking for peace and enlightenment.

The Beatles Ashram (Chaurasi Kutia)

The Beatles Ashram is famously called Chaurasi Kutia. It is the abandoned ashram that housed the band members all those years back in the year 1968. It was founded by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. Today, it has become an important destination for the tourists who are fascinated with the Beatles and the spiritual journey of the artists. It has some beautiful murals and graffiti on its ashram walls that remind one of the time when The Beatles were at Rishikesh. That adds a little bit of weird spirituality with pop culture flavour.

Bharat Mandir

Bharat Mandir is one of the oldest temples in Rishikesh, dedicated to Lord Vishnu. It is said that this temple was initiated by a great philosopher and theologian, Adi Shankaracharya. This temple is located in the centre of Rishikesh and attracts both pilgrims and tourists to visit its old architecture and sacred significance.

Rajaji National Park

The place situated just next to Rishikesh, Rajaji National Park is spread over huge protected forest land, the famous reason being rich biodiversity. Home for animals like elephants, tigers, leopards, and many birds, Rajaji can be a perfect abode of nature lovers and wildlife enthusiasts with its jeep safaris and nature walks.

Swarg Ashram

Swarg Ashram is a silent place that is located on the banks of the Ganges, famous for its ashrams and temples. The place has no vehicles around it, so it’s very quiet. People come here to meditate, practice yoga, and enjoy the spiritual ambiance of the place.

Tera Manzil Temple

Tera Manzil Temple, which is commonly known as Trimbakeshwar Temple, is an 11-story temple situated on the banks of the Ganges River. The uniqueness in its architectural design has made it a popular one, and the tall structure provides a panoramic view of Rishikesh and the river. It is dedicated to Lord Shiva and must be visited by devotees and tourists.