Your Quintessential Guide to Rishikesh
- Priya Chaudhary | October 29, 2022
Situated on the banks of river Ganga, Rishikesh is a holy town in the North-Indian state of Uttarakhand. Renowned as the 'Yoga Capital of the World', this spiritual city attracts tourists from all over the world. Some seek salvation, others in their quest to learn yoga and find peace as they meditate on the banks of the Ganges, it is a must-visit destination. Brimming with culture, spirituality and a recent crop of Insta-worthy cafes with gorgeous sunset views, there is no dearth of things to do, see and indulge in here.
Up north of the main town, you will find a pristine and placid setting, conducive to meditation and yoga. In the evening, the semblance of spirituality is found in every alley and corner of the town as an almost magical breeze blows setting temple bells ringing in tandem with transcendental evening Ganga Aarti at Triveni Ghat. It is a sight like no other you will experience.
Whether you decide to hitchhike through the city ticking off every activity from your packed itinerary or take it slow and hang out in backpacker hostels for months, Rishikesh's old-world charm will leave you coming back for more. Add to this, its mettle as a popular white-water rafting centre with the country's highest Bungee Jumping Point is located on the outskirts and hidden trails for trekking making it an exquisite Himalayan getaway. Rishikesh is a holy town renowned for its temples, jhulas, new-age cafes and the ethereal Ganga Aarti at Triveni Ghat.
Go on a Temple Tour
Home to several religious sites and ancient temples, a tour of the famous temples in Rishikesh goes without saying. Saints in their robes, sages who have made this holy town their home and of course, ashrams are symbolic of all the religious side of the place.
Some of the popular temples that should be on your list when visiting Rishikesh are Neelkantha Mahadeva Temple, Bharat Mandir, Kunjapuri Devi Temple, and Tera Manzil Temple (Trimbakeshwar), Shatrughna Temple, Bhootnath Temple, Virbhadra Temple and Raghunath Temple.
Try a plethora of adventure activities
Whitewater river rafting is famous in Rishikesh. Head to Shivpuri and start this adventure from the distance you are comfortable with. Rafting through the high and low rapids of the river Ganges as you soak in the view around you is an unparalleled experience.
If you are up for a little more daunting yet exhilarating experience, go for bungee jumping from Jumpin Heights. India's first and highest extreme adventure sports zone, a team of professionals from New Zealand has helped in setting up the platform ensuring the highest standards of safety when you take a leap (all harnessed) from 83 metres up in the sky. You can even try flying fox and giant swing here.
Other adventure sports to put on your bucket list will be kayaking and cliff jumping. Camping after short treks around Rishikesh is another activity that you can put on your itinerary if staying in the wild, right by the Ganges intrigues you.
Visit Raga for a laidback vacation
When it comes to staying right #ByTheGanges, our resort in Singthalli, an hour’s drive from Rishikesh is perfect. A boutique resort where you can indulge in adventure activities, go on a day trip to Devprayag and enjoy therapeutic spa sessions, Raga is perfect for both impromptu getaways and week-long vacations. The view of the Ganges from the resort and the gushing sound of it makes for a soothing lullaby that further accentuates the experience of a tranquil holiday.