State :
Uttarakhand
Climate :
Rishikesh has a moderate climate for most part of the year. In the peak
summer months though, temperatures do go beyond 40° C. Winters are
pleasant, and occasionally nights can get chilly.
Significance :
A Hindu Pilgrimage Site and the Capital of Yoga & Meditation
Rishikesh - the Mecca of Yoga & Meditation :
The pilgrimage town of Rishikesh lies at the foothills of the Himalayas
along the banks of the holy river Ganges. Rishikesh is the home to many
ashrams including some of the major Indian ashrams like Vivekananda,
Sivananda, Osho, Bihar school of yoga. It is a great place to experience
classical Indian yoga. Classes conducted are slow and the spiritual
atmosphere generated is enjoyable. The people in Rishikesh are warm and
friendly and people here are generally driven by religion.
As a pilgrimage point, Rishikesh houses many earnest Hindus and wandering
sadhus (holy men). Many deities come to bathe in the pure waters of the
Ganges, as Hindus believe this can remove their bad karma and purify them.
Rishikesh is a scenic place where sun rises from behind the mountains, and
fills the place with its golden rays and merge with the waves of Ganga to
present the most beautiful mornings. Live temple chanting sets the tone
around 4 am in the morning and fills the air with pure mantras. During night
time pujas (ceremonies), offerings of hundreds of camphor flame leaf boats
float on the river to present the most magnificent views.
Connectivity :
» By Air - The nearest airport is the Jolly Grant in
Dehradun/70 Kms away.
» By Rail - The nearest railhead for Rishikesh is
Haridwar, which is well connected to Delhi by superfast Shatabdi express
trains. There is also an overnight service from Delhi to Haridwar.
» By Road - Rishikesh is well connect to Delhi (250
kms), Dehradun (55 kms), Haridwar (25 kms). Rishikesh also serves as a base
town for pilgrimages to Badrinath, Kedarnath etc.
Highlights of the City :
Laxman Jhoola: At a distance of 5 kms. north of Rishikesh is the place
where Sri Laxman is said to have performed Tapa. The Laxman Temple was built
in his memory. Till 1889, there was just a hanging jute rope bridge without
pillars. The same was later rebuilt with iron ropes.
Neel Kanth Mahadev: The trek up to the temple gives you a spectacular wide
angled view of the Himalayan peaks, babhar. forests and the plains below.
The temple is situated at a height of 5,500 ft. above sea level and is about
12 kms. from Laxman jhoola.
