About the place
The
sacred town of Rishikesh is located in the state of Uttaranchal in northern
India. Nestled in the foothills of the Himalayas, Rishikesh is the first
town that the Ganges touches after descending from the mountains. This
sacred town of the Hindus invites hordes of tourists, travellers, devotees
and worshippers from all around. It is a strong belief among the Hindus that
a holy dip in the Ganges here washes away all impurities of one's body and
soul. From dawn to dusk, the town is a splendid scene of religious rites and
rituals observed by the devotees.
Distances from Major Cities & Towns
Haridwar - 24 km, Dehradun - 43 km, Mussorie - 77 km, Kedarnath - 227 km,
Yamunotri - 234 km, Delhi - 245 km, Nainital - 260 km, Shimla - 262 km, Agra
- 398 km, Lucknow - 555 km
Nearby Attractions
» Bharat Mandir - The Bharat Mandir was built by
Adiguru Sankaracharya around the 12th century. The inner sanctum of the
temple houses the idol of Lord Vishnu. The inner canopy bears Shree Yantra
installed by Adi Sankaracharya. During recent excavations, lots of old
statues, coins, pots and other relics of the past were found within the
premises of the temple.
» Lakshmana Jhula - The Lakshmana Jhula, built in
1939, is the very place from where Laxmana crossed the Ganges on jute-rope
bridge. This legendary iron bridge is a major attraction among the devotees
and visitors of the place. The bridge gives a magnificent view of the
Ganges, greeting you with the cool breeze from the river.
» Parmarth Niketan - The temple complex of the
Parmarth Niketan is yet another attraction of the place. It is popular for
its copious work on Hinduism. The Ashram also runs a school on traditional
Indian patterns. The Ganga Arti and Hawan is held at the Parmarth Ghat every
evening.
»
Triveni Ghat - The Triveni Ghat is the most prominent Ghat here. This is
the place where most of the pilgrims take their holy dips to free themselves
of their sins and wrong-doings. The Ghat sees a large number of devotees as
Ganga Arti is held every evening here. It is a sight to behold as the
devotees leave afloat countless tiny illuminated leaf-boats.
» Rishi Kund - Situated close to the Triveni Ghat,
Rishikund is another very ancient place in the area. Ancient scriptures show
its associations with Saint Kubz who was blessed by Goddess Yamuna,
saturating the pond by its water.
Accessibility
Dehradun's Jolly Grant is the closest airport from Rishikesh. However after
arriving at the Delhi International Airport, one can take a train or bus
route to Rishikesh. The place is well-linked by rail to the major towns and
cities of the country, though some of the links can only be accessed from
Haridwar.
Ideal Time
There is no specific season to pay a visit to Rishikesh. The city, lying in
the hilly region, enjoys a pleasant climate all the year round.
