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Rishikesh
is yet another centre of pilgrimage and tourist attraction
for Indians as well as foreigners. Rishikesh is popularly
known as the Yoga Capital of the World. Rishikesh is 28
kms from Haridwar on way to Badrinath and is situated at
the foothills on either side of holy river Ganga and is
surrounded by Shivalik ranges from three sides. Rishikesh
complex consists of three distinct areas, known as
Rishikesh, Muni-ki-Reti and Swargashram. The town is well
known for modem and ancient Ashrams. In addition, it has
temples and other places which are in one way or other
connected with Puranic legends. It is said that when
Raibhya Rishi did rigorous penances, the God appeared and
the place was named 'Hrishikesh' and subsequently the
place came to be known as Rishikesh. Bharat, brother of
Lord Rama, also subjected himself to severe penances here
and in his memory Bharat Temple was constructed. Temples
are also dedicated to Lord Ram, Lakshman and Shatrughan.
The other temples are Pushkar temple, Bharat temple,
Rishikund and Raghunath temple. Thousands of pilgrims are
visiting the place round the yea!. There are many
spiritual Yoga and meditation centers located here which
are regularly visited by large number of tourists from all
over the world.
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General Information
Area: 11.20 sq km. Population: 29,145 (1981
census). Altitude: 356 m.
Temperature: Summer 18.3 to 32.2° C and Winter
14.4 to 29° C.
Rainfall: 1,524 mm (average) June to September.
Best season to visit : April to June or
September to October.
Clothing: Summer-Cotton and Winter -Heavy
Woollens.
Language spoken: Hindi, Garhwali and English.
What to See in Rishikesh
Antibiotics Project at Virbhadra : 6.4 km.
Permission to visit antibiotics plant is to be
obtained from the General Manager, Antibiotics Plant,
Virbhadra, Rishikesh.
Laxman Jhoola : It is a beautiful sight about 7
km north of Rishikesh. There was a hanging just rope
bridge across river Ganga (without pillar) till 1889
which was rebuilt with iron ropes in 1939. The
suspension bridge has a span of 140. Raghunathji's
temple is the main attraction at Laxman Jhoola. Laxman
is said to have visited this place and is believed to
have done penance to wash his sins for having killed a
Brahmin. The suspension bridge connects Rishikesh with
Tapovan across river Ganga where a temple is dedicated
to Laxman.
Triveni Ghat: 1.6 km. A bathing Ghat, where
three streams of Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati are
believed to be flowing together underground. This is a
sacred place where 'Pinda Shradha' is performed or
food is offered to the departed soul. Evening Aarti
(prayer) of goddess Ganga is also performed here.
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Swarga Ashram: 8 km. It is a quiet place on the
left bank of the Ganges opposite to Shri Shivananda
Ashram. Swarg Ashram can be reached either by crossing
Ganga by boat or by another Ram/Shivanand suspension
bridge since built across river Ganga. An idol of Shri
Badrinath Ji is enshrined in the temple which is
surrounded by forest. Pilgrims visiting Badrinath
temple also pay their visit to Swarga Ashram. The
temple and Dharamshala is maintained by Kali Kamliwala
Kshetra enroute. In fact Swarga Ashram is a
self-contained township with restaurants, shopping
centers alongwith temple, parks, libraries, meditation
centers and Ayurvedic dispensaries. |
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Gita Bhawan : 8 km. Constructed by Geeta Bhawan
Trust Gorakhpur in 1944 adjacent to Swarga Ashram
complex. The temple and group of buildings have Gita
and Ramayana inscribed on its walls. The Bhawan is
controlled by a body of trustees, who are affiliated
to the Gita Press, Gorakhpur. The mission of the trust
is to serve the society through normal and spiritual
education.
Baba Kali Kamliwala Panchayati Kshetra : It is
one of the oldest institutions, founded by Shri Baba
Vishuddha Nanda Ji and now run by a Trust. The main
office of the institution is at Rishikesh and it has
branches at all the pilgrim centres in Garhwal hills.
They provide lodging and boarding facilities to the
pilgrims all along the route even at the higher
altitude of the Himalayas upto Kailash.
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| Shri Sivananda Ashram and Divine Life Society: 2.5 km from Rishikesh Bus stand on Rishikesh-Laxman
Jhoola Road. This Ashram was established in 1936 by
Shri Swami Sivananda Ji Maharaj, the renowned Yogi of
India. A hospital is run here and experienced doctors
attend the sick tree of charge. Arrangements of food
and bedding for sick and ailing are made tree. In the
serene atmosphere of the Ashram a large number of
saints and devotees are leading holy lives and
practicing Yoga here. The members of the Society
believe in one religion and have vowed to help people
in distress. |
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Shivpuri and Kodiyala: The challenge of violent rivers is no
less than that of the rugged mountains. The icy heights of the Himalayas
are the source of some of India's mighty rivers, Shivpuri [ 16 kms] is having
many rafting camps at Ganga beach [ September to June ]. Shivpuri and Kodiyala
is the Place of Doing adventure Activities in rishikesh uttarakhand . River Rafting Is The Major Activities In Shivpuri And Kodiyala. Kodiyala is [20 Kms] from Shivpuri Rishikesh. |
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Other Places of Interest
Ashram and Yoga Centres: Yoga Niketan Laxman
Thoola, Yoga Sadan Ashram Rishikesh, Shri Vithala
Ashram and Transcendental Meditation Centres of
Maharishi Mahesh Yogi Shankaracharya Nagar, Ved
Niketan and Yoga study centre.
Temples: Raghunath temple, Bharat temple,
Pushkar temple, Shatrughan temple, Laxman temple,
Sheshdhara, Rishikund and Bhagirath temple.
Excursion Visits
Narendra Nagar: The hill station of Narendra
Nagar is 15 kms trom the foothill town of Rishikesh in
Tehri district on the way to the holy shrines of
Gangotri and Yamnotri. Narendra nagar was the capital
of former Tehri State and the palaces of the former
Maharaja Narendra Shah are located here. The offices
of Tehri district are also located here. Kunjpura is
an attractive place on top of a hillock near Narendra
Nagar which provides beautiful panoramic view of the
Himalayas.
Chamba : 62 kms trom Rishikesh. While staying
in Rishikesh, visitors can go upto Chamba which is
very pleasant during summer months. Chamba provides an
impressive view of the Himalayan peak Bandarpoochh on
a clear day. A tTuit belt has since been developed in
Chamba and apples and apricots are grown here in
plenty A tourist bungalow is available for spending a
night. More about Chamba
Garur Chatti : 8 kms trom Laxman Jhoola. A
temple is here which is dedicated to Lord Garur
Maharaj.
Bhootnath Cave: 3 kms trom Laxman Thoola. An
attractive place both for pilgrims and tourists as
well as adventurers.
Neel Kanth Mahadev : 1675 m. This temple is
dedicated to Neelkanth Mahadev (Lord Shiva) which is
about 22 kms from Laxman Jhoola. According to
mythology, Lord Shiva had consumed the effluent poison
produced after Sagar manthan which had turned his
throat blue and thus this place came to be known as
Neelkanth Mahadev or Shiva with Blue throat. While
going upto Neelkanth Mahadev one can have a wide
spread view of Himalayan peaks, Bhabar forests and
plains below. Pilgrims mostly come here during the
month of July/August.
Adventure Sports in Rishikesh
The city has emerged as the Adventure Capital of India. As
adventure travelers from all around the world come here to
enjoy white water river rafting on the holy Ganges and enjoy
other allied activities like River Rafting, White Water Rafting,
Treeking, Kayaking, body surfing, Rock Climbing etc.
How to Reach Rishikesh
Air: The nearest air-port is Jolly Grant air
strip (18 kms) on Rishikesh-Dehra Dun Road which is
connected by air service with Delhi.
Rail: Rishikesh is connected with Haridwar by
rail and Haridwar is connected by long distance trains
to Delhi, Bombay, Calcutta, Ujjain, Gorkhapur and
Amritsar.
Road: Rishikesh is connected by road and
regular Bus service with Agra (392 kms), Dehra Dun (43
kms), Delhi (238 kms), Haridwar (24 kms), Mussoorie
(78 kms), Badrinath (298 kms), Kedamath (223 kms),
Yamnotri , (222 kms), Gangotri (235 kms), Chandigarh
(252 kms) and Uttarkashi (154 kms). Bus Stands:
Roadways and Yatri Bus Stand.
Taxies: Are available on all Bus routes.
Local transport: Taxies, Three wheeler autos
and Tongas as well as regular City Bus service are
available in Rishikesh |
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Hotels in
Rishikesh... |
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