SHOPPING IN RISHIKESH
There are 3 primary areas for shopping in Rishikesh which are as follows:
Rishikesh Main Market is the place where most locals go for their daily needs such as food, traditional and western clothes as well as household items. You can also find computer and mobile repair shops there. There are also a multitude of Indian food restaurants as well some of the best medical facilities in Rishikesh are also in the main market area
The Ram Jhula area is mostly a tourist-driven area abounding mainly with pilgrims and spiritual seekers from across India and the globe; it is good for clothes, books, jewellery, murtis (Idols), and gemstones. There are shops on both sides of the Ram Jhula bridge and daily needs food items and basics are also available there.
The Laxman Jhula area which is about a 20-minute walk upstream from Ram Jhula is a very buzzing area abounding with tourists from India and across the globe; there are many
EATING JOINTS IN RISHIKESH
Most cafes and restaurants have wi-fi these days. Some of the restaurants/cafes also offer a delivery service. Listed below are some of the most popular joints in Rishikesh along with the type of cuisine they offer:
Tattv – multi-cuisine
Divine Resort – multi-cuisine
Vasundhara Hotel restaurant – multi-cuisine
Madhuban restaurant – Indian sattvic cuisine
German bakery – western cuisine
60’s café – western cuisine
Beatles Café – western cuisine
Buddha café – western cuisine
Uttar Dakshin – south Indian cuisine
Madras Café – south Indian cuisine Ata vole Conte – Italian cuisine
Iras Garden – Multi-cuisine
Secret Garden – Western cuisine
AyurPak restaurant – Ayurveda cuisine
Please note that all restaurants and cafes listed above are vegetarian and should you have any food intolerances or preferences, please ask the staff and they can usually be catered for. We do recommend a vegetarian diet as part of the yoga lifestyle.
PLACES NEAR RISHIKESH FOR DAY EXCURSIONS
Places to visit in Rishikesh
Rishikesh is considered to be a holy place, situated on the banks of the Sacred river Ganga and amidst the Himalayan foothills; over the centuries it has become renowned as a place for yoga and meditation as many saints and sages came here for peace and salvation. A place of tranquillity and natural surroundings, Rishikesh has become somewhat more built up than in years gone by nevertheless people still feel Rishikesh is ‘special’ for it holds the vibrations of truth seekers from years gone by. It is for this reason that Rishikesh has become known as the global capital for Yoga. Abounding with Yoga/mediation and healing centres, Rishikesh boasts of many places to visit in the nearby vicinity. You can choose from places of natural beauty, historical places, adventure places, and places of architectural interest.
Maa Ganga Aarti at Triveni Ghat(Evening) in Rishikesh
Triveni Ghat is the largest and most ancient place on the banks of the river Ganga where the Sacred Ganga has been worshipped in public for centuries. Here you will find ancient evening ceremonies taking place wherein you will hear the sounds of prayers accompanied by bells and traditional instruments; there are also ghee lamps offered to the Ganga as well as natural light made of ghee floated along the Ganges. Certainly a feast for the senses and a must for anyone who wishes to experience the sanctity of Rishikesh
Location: Within Rishikesh’s main market
Parmarth Niketan Ashram
Parmarth Niketan is one of the largest ashrams in Rishikesh and hosts more than a thousand rooms for pilgrims from across India and abroad. Many of the rooms have incredible views of the Ganga and the Himalayan foothills. The ashram abounds with Temples as well as huge lawns and deities; there is a daily routine of prayers, meditation, Yoga Nidra, and yoga classes.
In the evening, you can attend a spectacular ceremony similar to that of Triveni ghat wherein the Sacred river Ganga is worshipped; people from across the globe come to Rishikesh just to attend this ceremony.
Location: On the opposite side of Ram Jhula in the area of Swarg Ashram Post office
Sivananda Ashram
Founded in the year 1936 by the Swami Sivananda, one of the first Yogis (also an allopathic doctor) to spread Yoga to the western world. The ashram is situated amidst mountains and comprises temples, prayer halls and lecture halls, and a Yoga hall.
The Ashram has a range of rooms for guests however rooms will be provided only to serious aspirants of Yoga through prior application.
Location
Near Ram Jhula and in the vicinity of Ram Jhula post office.
Lakshman Jhula & Ram Jhula (The 2 most renowned bridges in Rishikesh)
These bridges have historical and spiritual significance and are for pedestrians and 2-wheelers. You will also find an array of monkeys, cows, and calves on these bridges,
Lakshman Jhula Bridge takes its name from the younger brother of Lord Rama and was reconstructed in 1930. It is 450 Feet Long, and 6 Feet Wide. About 1Km south of Lakshman Jhula, you can find the 2km Ram Jhula Bridge which is somewhat wider and longer than Lakshman Jhula. Both bridges have a slight swing on them when the winds are a little high; they also boast incredible distant views of the Ganga and the Himalayan surrounds
Locations:
Ram Jhula is approximately 3 km from Rishikesh’s main market and Lakshman Jhula is about 2km north of Ram Jhula.
Vasishta Gufa or Cave
Vasishta Cave or Vasishta Gufa is an ancient cave where Sage Vasishta and his wife, Arundhati meditated for several hundreds of years. It is by the banks of the Ganges where there are large stretches of white sandy banks as well as some amazing rock formations to walk through if you so choose. The beaches remain uncrowded most of the time and the entire place is a must for its beauty and experience of the strong vibrations within the cave; it is a one-of-a-kind place, to say the least.
The cave is a natural formation and darkness prevails within; however, there is a small ghee lamp glowing at the end of the cave. Pin drop silence is to be maintained in the cave to maintain its sanctity for meditation. Just outside the cave, there is a small ashram, a cow shelter and not to mention an awe-inspiring Pipal tree which is at least several hundred years old.
Location
Vasishta Gufa is about 25 km away and if you hire a cab it will take about an hour and cost around 1000 INR for a round trip There are also a few buses headed in that direction but you will probably have to wait around a bit.
DEVAPRAYAGA
“Devaprayag” translates as “Godly Confluence” in Sanskrit. According to Hindu scriptures, Devaprayag is a sacred place where the two rivers Alakananda and Bhagirathi visibly merge, to create the holy Ganga. A place of divine beauty, Devaprayag is surrounded by 3 stunning Himalayan peaks,
Location
Devprayag is about 70 km away from Rishikesh main and takes around 2 hours to reach by cab. There are buses too but they are not so frequent.
HARIDWAR ARTI AT HAR KI PAURI
Har Ki Pauri is on the banks of the Ganges in Haridwar and is a sacred place historically for purification in the Ganges, ‘Har’ means ‘God’ and “Dwar’ means ‘Door’ so Haridwar is considered to be the gateway to God. The holy pilgrimage to the Himalayan ranges begins in Haridwar and further north lies the higher Himalayan ranges wherein the high peaks of the Himalayans and ancient temples can be found. Apart from Har ki Pauri, many holy temples and ashrams can be found on the banks of the Ganges and its surrounds. There are also buzzing markets selling sacred items and all sorts – a real feast for the senses and gives you a good feel of the sacred culture of the Himalayas and beyond
Location
Har ki Pauri is about 26 km away from Rishikesh and takes around 1 hour to reach by cab.
Kunjapuri Devi Temple
Kunjapuri nestles up the mountains near Rishikesh; it is a goddess temple devoted to the Goddess Parvathi, the wife of Lord Shiva. It is one of the many feminine energy centres around. It is at a height of 5600 feet and from the temple, you can see the amazing views of the Shivalik Ranges, the Bandar punch Peak, and Chaukhamba Peak. You need to walk about 80 Steep steps to reach the temple but well worth the trip for the vibrations you feel there along with the incredible views.
Location
It is bout 30 km from Rishikesh and taking a cab is the best way to get there. The roads are windy and so a cab takes about an hour or so. There are also trekking options to get to the temple.
Neer Garh Waterfall | Neer Gaddu Waterfall
This waterfall is stunning and has a small pond nearby; one has to trek there but it is worth it.
Location
Neer Garh Waterfall is about 12 km from Rishikesh. There is a steep trek of about 1 Km to reach the first part of the Neer Gaddu waterfall and from there you have to trek another half km to reach the final part of the waterfall.
Neelkhanth Mahadev Temple
This temple is associated with Lord Shiva and is at a height of 4500 feet. In history, we are told that Lord Shiva consumed the poison which came from the churning of the ocean by the Gods and Demons. Lord Shiva consumed the poison and we are told that his throat (Kantha in Hindi) became blue (Neel in Hindi) hence the name of the temple is “Neelkanth “
Location
It is about 30 km from the Rishikesh market and can be reached by cab or jeep in about 2 hours. Some die-hard pilgrims even walk there.
Shivpuri
Shivpuri is well known for river rafting and it is the starting point for the famous 16 Km Shivpuri Rafting. Every year adventure seekers from across the globe flock here for river rafting. Apart from river rafting, you can also experience Zipline, reverse Bungee Jumping, Nature Walks, and Camping. Even if you are not an adventure tourist you can simply take in the white sandy beaches of Shivpuri and its surrounds.
Location
Shivpuri is 17 km away from Rishikesh Centre on the main Badrinath Highway and by cab, it takes about 45 mins to reach. If you have booked rafting then the rafting company may arrange your transport
Jumpin Heights | Mohanchatti Village
Jumpin Heights offers is home to India’s most extreme adventure sports like Bungee Jumping, Flying Fox, and Giant Swing. Locals who have been professionally trained by trainers from New Zealand train and supervise these support
Location
Jumping Heights is in the direction of Neel Kantha and is about 20km from Rishikesh
Beaches in and around Rishikesh
White sandy beaches are abundant in Rishikesh however they are not to sunbathe in bikinis etc; they are considered to be sacred spaces for meditation and absorbing the calm of natural scenery. We strongly advise you not to sunbathe as you may on an ‘ordinary’ beach as this would be offensive to the local culture.
Goa Beach, Neem Beach, Ganga Beach, and Sacha Dham beach are the most popular beaches for they have the most scenic views
Location
Goa Beach,
Time 31 min (11.3 km from Rishikesh
Neem Beach,
Time 21 min (5.6 km from Rishikesh)
Ganga Beach
Time 37 min (15.0 km from Rishikesh)
Sacha Dham beach
Time 20 min (5.0 km from Rishikesh)
The Beatles Ashram
Formerly known as Chaurasi Kutia (now known as the Beatles Ashram, this place became famous after the UK-based Liverpool band came to visit in 1986. The Beatles meditated here under the guidance of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. The ashram consists of unique dome huts surrounded by jungle-like nature and is ideal for individuals to mediate.
Shortly after the Beatles left, the ashram got abandoned but was opened for tourists in 2015; since then there has been a surge of tourism there for all sorts of domestic and international tourists. It is not only famous for its dome huts and tranquillity but also for its graffiti works and a stunning painting of the Beatles.
The major attractions of the ashram include its stunning dome-shaped construction, amazing graffiti works, and the beautiful picture of the members of the Beatles band painted on one of the interior walls of Ved Bhavan.
NEARBY PLACES FROM RISHIKESH TO VISIT
There are many places to visit on the outskirts and beyond of Rishikesh. We list a few of the most popular places people visit from Rishikesh; the places listed below are of spiritual and architectural significance as well as natural beauty.
OTHER TOURS
There are numerous tours around India but one to not miss out on is the golden triangle tour. IYS can assist you with packages, accommodation, travel, and any queries you may have about the tour.
The Golden Triangle Tour is a famous tour bringing to you the wonders of some of the most beautiful monuments of ancient India; it comprises a trip of journeys from Delhi to Agra to Jaipur and these cities when looked at on a map form a triangle hence the name ‘golden triangle’. To put it simply, it is a tourist route that begins from the capital city, Delhi goes on to Agra, and then ends in Jaipur. You will get to experience the life of Delhi from the old to the new and in Agra, you will see the Taj Mahal, one of the seven wonders of the world. In Jaipur, also known as the pink city, you will see ancient pink palaces and other incredible ancient architecture. Taking this tour is a great way to discover the heritage and diversity of India. As you travel to the cities you will see the changing landscapes at short distances; all three cities are situated about 200-250 km from each other. Most tourists start from Delhi and then move on to Agra and finally Jaipur; this is considered the preferred route and the best part of the year to make this journey is between October and April.
What else you can experience during the Golden Triangle Tour?
The tour can last from 5 days to 15 days depending on your time and budget limitations; costs can be as little as 5000 INR TO 50,000 INR depending on the type of transport and accommodation you take and the duration of the tour.
Other queries
Should you have any queries relating to the information given above or any other type of query, please feel free to contact us. We look forward to welcoming you to IYS and your travels across India.
RISHIKESH WEATHER
In India, we have six seasons unlike most other countries where there are 4 seasons. Please find below a list of seasons, temperatures and the corresponding months. | ||
Season | Temperature range | Months |
Autumn | Sep 22o to 31o Oct- 17o to 30o | Mid sept to Oct |
Winter | 7o to 25o | November – December |
High Winter | 8o to 19o | January – February |
Spring | 12o to 26o | March -April |
Summer | 21o to 36o | May to June |
Monsoon | 24o to 35o | July to Mid Sept |
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