Rishikesh -Yoga Capital
Situated near Haridwar in Uttarakhand, in the Dehradun district, Rishikesh is a small town situated in the foothills of the Himalayas, where the Ganga and Chandrabhaga rivers converge. Rishikesh, often spelt Hrishikesh, is renowned as the "Yoga Capital of the World" and for its adventure sports, historic temples, and well-liked cafes. One of the holiest locations for Hindus, Rishikesh is a pilgrimage town and the gateway to the Garhwal Himalayas.
In the 1960s, Rishikesh gained international recognition following The Beatles' visit to the ashram of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi located here. Nowadays, the location is well-known as The Beatles Ashram, drawing tourists from all over the world. The peaceful town has long been a hub for spirituality, but it's also well-known for its rapid-flowing holy Ganges whitewater rafting, bungee jumping, mountain biking, and camping. It is also the starting point for a lot of hikes in the Himalayas.
Rishikesh, which is located on the sacred banks of the Ganga, has long been a centre for sadhus, or saints, and ashrams teaching Ayurveda, yoga, meditation, and spirituality have sprung up all over the place. Alcohol and non-vegetarian meals are absolutely forbidden in this town because to its religious nature. The most exquisite evening aarti is witnessed in Rishikesh on the banks of the Ganga, which is not overly packed like its counterparts in Varanasi and Haridwar. During the first week of March, this place hosts the International Yoga Festival, which attracts practitioners of yoga from all over the world.
There are two main parts of Rishikesh: the town proper, sometimes called Rishikesh town, is home to the well-known Triveni Ghat. The majority of the well-known ashrams, eateries, lodging options, and tourists are located on the opposite side of Rishikesh, 2 km upstream from the well-known Ram Jhula and Lakshman Jhula. The first two Indian cities to be designated as "twin national heritage cities" are Haridwar and Rishikesh.
Best time to visit Rishikesh
September through June and November are the ideal months to go white water rafting in Rishikesh. A fantastic period to visit Rishikesh is from February to the beginning of May. The first week of March marks the organisation of the International Yoga Festival in Rishikesh. Summertime (May–June) is not a good time to visit Rishikesh because of the unbearably high temperatures, which make sightseeing impossible.
How to Reach Rishikesh
The nearest airport is located 35 kilometres from Rishikesh in Dehradun and is called Jolly Grant Airport. These two locations are serviced by taxis and cabs. Alternatively, you could go to the Rishikesh Railway Station via train. Additionally, buses from Delhi and other Uttaranchal towns and cities go to Rishikesh.
