• Understand
• Get around
• See
• Do
• Buy
• Drink
• Stay safe
• Get out

A view of the Ganges flowing through Rishikesh.

Rishikesh is a small town in the northern state of Uttarakhand in India. Scenically located where the Ganges River comes down from the Himalayas, Rishikesh catapulted to Western fame when the Beatles dropped by for a visit to Maharishi Mahesh Yogi's ashram (now closed), and the town is still known as the World Capital of Yoga.

Rishikesh is also the Gateway to the Himalayas. The Char Dham Yatra (Four Shrines Sacred Journey) ideally begins from Rishikesh.

[edit] Understand

The center of town where the train and bus stations can be found is of little interest to most travelers. Further north-east are 2 bridges spanning the Ganges, Ram Jhula and Lakshman Jhula, and either end of these bridges are the main hubs of activity and interest.

Most accommodation and restaurants can be found in Lakshman Jhula, High Bank and Swarg Ashram.

[edit] Get in

[edit] By plane

Rishikesh is in close proximity of Dehradun's Jolly Grant Airport (about 15 km) - a small, quiet airport handling 1-2 commercial flights a day. The airport was closed down for extensive renovation work and hasopened from April 2008 with only two flights from delhi. Hopefully the extension job for the runway will be over and there will be direct flight from the metros.

[edit] By train

A quiet branch line connects Rishikesh to Haridwar, but there are only about three slow trains daily. It's best to take the train to Haridwar and continue by bus (45 min, INR 17) or by taxi(30 mins, INR 400) available from taxi union office outside Bus stand and Railway Station.

Travel agents in Swarg Ashram and Lakshman Jhula can book train tickets for onward journeys, much easier than going to Rishikesh railway station to buy a ticket. Some may sell you a ticket from Raiwala, a small stop between Rishikesh and Haridwar, but this station, while closer, is tiny and trains only stop for a few seconds - better to board the train in Haridwar.

From Delhi , there are many trains to Haridwar and some of the most famous ones are :- Shatabadi Express , Jan Shatabdi , AC Special Express , Mussurie Express.

[edit] By bus

From Delhi the city is about 230 km away and is well connected with buses. A Bus journey may take about 5-7 hours - depending on the traffic - and costs you about 130-350 INR. An AC Bus will cost about 200-500 INR.

In Rishikesh, there are several travel agencies scattered around Swarg Ashram and Lakshman Jhula that can book luxury buses to common destinations like Delhi (250 - 500 INR), Jaipur, Pushkar and Varanasi.

[edit] Get around

Auto-rickshaws (vikrams) are useful from the bus/train stations to get to either of the bridges (Rs 8) and for the southern side of the Ganges. Swargashram is pretty much pedestrian only, but it's compact and walkable (as is the whole of the town). For other autorickshaw journeys you should expect to pay around Rs 15/km.

[edit] See

Trayambakeshwar Temple, Lakshman Jhula

• Trayambakeshwar Temple, Lakshman Jhula, is 13 stories high, with different deities throughout.

• Lakshman Jhula
• Gita Bhavan
• Swarg Ashram

(Shri 108 Baba Sali Kamli Wale Swami Atam Prakash Ji)

INTRODUCTION- Swargashram ( Heavenly Adobe) as the name connotes is a beautiful place situated in picturesqe surroundings at the foot of Himalayas on the left bank of the Ganges between Rishikesh and Laxmanjhula . It is the spiritual “ground zero” of Rishikesh, filled with a concentration of ashrams and temples. The areas is known for its healthly and satwik living environment. It is this spot where from ages of yore the famous Yogis and Rishis have been doing the Tapasya. Numerous mention of this spot occurs in the holy scripture Puranas

• Parmarth Niketan
• Bharat Mandir
• Neelkanth Mahadev Mela

• Triveni Ghat , This is a bathing ghat. Daily in the morning and evening there are thousands who take bath here and enjoy the Maha Aarti being performed. It very soothing to sit on the banks of the river and enjoy the cool breeze from the river.

[edit] Do

• Yoga, of course! It's on offer everywhere, and most styles are represented.
• Ashtanga Yoga at Tattvaa Yogashala Swargashram Near Ram Jhula Bridge.

Tattvaa Yogashala Welcome to Tattvaa Ashtanga Yogashala, Rishikesh. ASHTANGA YOGA IS A CHALLENGING PRACTICE WHICH REQUIRES DETERMINATION AND COMMITMENT. Tattvaa Yogashala is the only full-time, dedicated Ashtanga Yoga school in Rishikesh.For those of you who would like to deepen your practice, reach new levels safely, and explore the path of YOGA.

www.tattvaayoga.com +91 9997277322,kmltattvaa@gmail.com

• Take a holy dip in the Ganges, with reputed healing powers. (You might want to keep your mouth closed though and shower well afterwards, as the river is an open sewer.)

• Check into an ashram to study yoga, meditation and Hindu philosophy.

• Watch a beautiful evening Ganga Arti at Parmarth Niketan

• Watch where you step, cows and their leftovers are abundant. Watch out for the sometimes brash food stealing monkeys, too.

• White Water Rafting Rishikesh is very popular for its rafting on the River Ganga (Ganges). Season: September-November and March-April-May are ideal for rafting. Imagine freezing water trying to push you off the boat like a bull does to a cowboy. Yes it sounds crazy but once you do it, you can't get enough of it. Nothing can beat the experience of this short trip to Rishikesh. You get to be with nature and the elements!! People do it for various reasons and surely you will find yours by the end of it.

• Rappelling Climbing down with a rope is called rappelling. The group is taken to a spot where there is a cliff drop, experts with proper equipment who setup the gear first and then, one by one, everyone comes down. It's all about trusting your gear and following the instructions and then it's a lot of fun.

• Rock climbing This is something everyone is fimiliar with, this is also included in some of the camps but not everyone can do it as it requires a lot of strength and skill. The group is take to a cliff side and with proper safety gear everyone is given a chance to climb the cliff side.

• Cliff Jumping You are supposed to jump into freezing water from a cliff! Yes, it sounds crazy but this is one thing which everyone can brag about back home, of course you are wearing a life jacket and a helmet but still to jump from so high into the Ganga which is murky and the bottom can't be seen, it's not like jumping into a swimming pool where one can see the bottom the water is static.

• Kayaking is the use of a kayak for moving across water. Kayaking is differentiated from canoeing by the fact that a kayak has a closed cockpit and a canoe has an open cockpit. They also use a two bladed paddle. Another major difference is in the way the paddler sits in the boat. Kayakers sit in a seat on the bottom of the boat with their legs extended out in front of them. Canoeists will either sit on an elevated bench seat or kneel directly on the bottom of the boat. Whitewater kayaking is the sport of paddling a kayak on a moving body of water, typically a whitewater river. Whitewater kayaking can range from simple, carefree gently moving water, to demanding, dangerous whitewater.

• Trekking There are a lot of soft treks in this region, this is an optional thing as some people love to walk in nature and do a bit of bird watching and some prefer to be at the camp and relax and they are already tired with the activities they have done.

• "Eat" the famous Chotiwali Special / Janata or Delux Thali . Once upon a time it used to be an unlimited affair but now due to practical constraints the quantity is limited and extra helpings are charged . But if you crave for good and simple typical Indian home Food , this is the place to be

[edit] Buy

As with most holy cities cum tourist destinations there's a plethora of religious paraphenalia, cheap clothing aimed at foreigners, incense, bronze shiva statues, etc. Unlike many other similar towns in India prices here are usually reasonable and you won't have to haggle hard for a good price.

[edit] Eat

Non-vegeterian food has been banned in the city for many many years. North and south Indian food is widely available, and there's no shortage of multi-cuisine backpacker cafes, especially in Lakshman Jhula. What excites many foreigners is the delicious Ayurvedic and health food restaurants, perfect for an after-yoga meal.

Many of the main lanes are lined with wooden push carts selling in-season fruit, veggies, popcorn, nuts, warm cookies and lots else, and you'll usually be quoted a fair price. The papayas here are particularly delicious.

[edit] City

• Dhruv Restaurant, Well appointed multi cuisine Restaurant.

• Rangoli Restaurant, International class River Facing Coffee Shop.

• Vatika Restaurant, River side lawn cum open air restaurant.

• red night Restaurant, Open air, river facing restaurant and terrace. 0135- 2440094

[edit] Ram Jhula

• Mukti's Health Food (Ph. +91 9966057919), (a few hundred metres west of Shivanand Jhula bridge, overlooking the taxi stand/parking lot). A tiny place in a strange location, but very popular and excellent food. Famous green pasta, Indonesian gado-gado, and homemade frozen yogurt, apple pie or chocolate cake for dessert.

• The Welcome Center, (about a 10-15 minute walk towards Haridwar from the Shivanand Jhula bridge), (0) 135 244 2337, thewelcomecentre@yahoo.com. Hidden down off the road (but signposted), this is a little oasis of calm from the busy street. Great Ayurvedic food and teas. They also offer cooking classes, several types of yoga, etc. and sell natural incense, netty pots, yoga mats and the like. If you like the atmosphere, enquire about staying here as well.

[edit] Swarg Ashram

• Shiva-resort, a nice place away from the bustling market of ram-jhula towards neelkanth road in jonk village the best place to have organic food and you also can stay there with silent and pleasnt place.

• Chotiwala in Swarg Ashram claims to be the original, and serves up great Indian food including 5 different thalis. Meals Rs 40-80.

• Ganga Ayurvedic Food Place, (out beyond most of the ashrams, just past VED Niketan Ashram). Delicious food, lovingly prepared. One of the cleaner kitchens around, don't be afraid of the good salads. Also great for breakfast.

• Little Italy, Swarg Ashram, (in the Green Hotel). Good pasta, pizza, etc. Mains from Rs 30.

• The Office. Has amazing sweet samosos filled with mango, apple, banana and/or chocolate.

[edit] Lakshman Jhula

• Lucky Restaurant, (3 minute walk from the Lakshman Jhula bridge), 0091-135-2433223. Very good Indian meals prepared with the freshest produce (organic whenever possible), whole grains, beans, soy, quality herbs and spices.
• La Bella View.

[edit] High Bank

[edit] Drink

• Sitting around in dhabas and cafes is nearly mandatory here. In addition to the old standards like masala chai and lassis you can find a nice range of Ayurvedic teas. Some restaurants make up their own tonics to treat anything that may be ailing you.

• Alcohol is banned and inappropriate, as Rishikesh is a holy city.

[edit] Sleep

Rishikesh is filled almost entirely with budget hotels, with a few mid-range thrown in for good measure. Lakshman Jhula is popular with backpackers and has the cheapest accommodation, while Swarg Ashram is where the majority of the ashrams are located, and is a nice alternative. There's also a handful of accommodation options in High Bank.

It's wise to book ahead in the peak tourist season, and during the Kumbh Mela in neighboring Haridwar.

[edit] Budget

Hotels in this range start as low as Rs 100.

• shiva resort[1] Swargasharm. Near taxi-stand Ram Jhula. Nice and open rooms with balconies and garden starting from Rs 250-1000. Also offers yoga lessons in morning (7:00am to 9:00am) & evening (5:30pm to 7:30pm) and in house pool and internet cafe and ayurvedic treatments and panchkarma centre. Phone: 09319236367 /09997649724

• Lucky Hotel, [2]. Lakshman Jhula. Rs.300.00-Rs.1299.00.

• Hotel Ishan, Lakshman Jhula. Decent rooms with Ganga views and balconies. From Rs 200.

• Green Hotel, Swarg Ashram, 243 1242. Is a large, popular place with a good restaurant. Rs 100-1000.

• Jaipur Inn, Laxman Jhula. Nice rooms, some with a view and a good restaurant on the top floor that overlooks both the Laxman Jhula and the Ganges River. Single Rs. 900 - Double Rs. 1000

Many ashrams also offer cheap lodging.

• Rishikesh yog-peeth the complete yoga study and retreat. Conduct yoga teacher training courses and ayurvedic treatment centre . See Shiva Resort above.

• Nirmal Ashram, Mayakund, (Very close to Triveni Ghat).

• Sivananda Ashram, Ram Jhula, (on the north side of the Shivanand Jhula bridge).

• Mount Valley Mama Cottage, High Bank, The friendliest hostess in Rishikesh, Mama, will make you feel right at home with her wholesome breakfasts and scrumptious thali. Nice Ganga views and the best shower in india. Great rates that cater to the backpacker's bank account.

• Patanjali Yoga Center, Ram Jhula Taxi Stand, (the best place to study Iyengar Yoga with all modern equipments and a modern yoga studio) Rooms Rs. 100-above.

• Sri Ved Niketan Ashram, Swarg Ashram. A large place offering hatha yoga, meditation, etc. Rooms Rs 50-150.

[edit] Mid-range

• Hotel Ganga View, Haridwar Road. 15m away from the riverbank. INR 1950-2350.

• Tapovan Resort, Lakshman Jhula, [3]. A newer hotel with good rooms and a garden. Also has a decent restaurant. INR 1650-1850.

[edit] Splurge

• Hotel Ganga Kinare, Veerbadra Road. On the right bank of the Ganga, with a private ghat. INR 3000-6000.

[edit] Stay safe

A holy city it may be, but Rishikesh draws more than its fair share of criminals and conmen. Don't walk around alone at night and beware of the motives of sadhus offering one-on-one tutoring.

[edit] Get out

• Shivpuri is one of the most visited places around Rishikesh, and only 10 km away. It is the hub for many adventure sports like river rafting, camping and trekking.

• Rajaji National Park - just 20 minutes drive away.

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