Rishikesh
Rishikesh, the sacred town nestled in the foothills of the Himalayas along the banks of the River Ganges, is globally recognized as the "International Capital of Yoga and Meditation." The town is adorned with ancient temples, ashrams, and renowned yoga and meditation centers, drawing not only devotees but also travelers from around the world seeking a deeper understanding of spiritual practices. At the ashrams in Rishikesh, visitors can participate in lectures and courses led by esteemed yoga and meditation experts. In addition to its spiritual significance, Rishikesh attracts adventure enthusiasts with its array of thrilling activities. It also serves as the perfect gateway for the Chardham Yatra pilgrimage, which includes visits to Yamunotri, Gangotri, Badrinath, and Kedarnath.
Rishikesh Ganga Aarti
Evenings in Rishikesh are best spent by the serene banks of the Ganges, where you can relax and soak in the tranquil atmosphere. As the day transitions into night, head to Parmarth Niketan Ashram to witness the mesmerizing Ganga Aarti, a daily ritual that pays homage to the sacred river with music, chants, and flames, creating a deeply spiritual experience.
The Ganga Aarti in Rishikesh is a serene and tranquil ritual of worshipping the sacred river. On any given day, around 50-100 people gather to partake in this spiritual experience. While you may have witnessed the Aarti in other places like Haridwar and Varanasi, which can often be crowded and noisy with loudspeakers, persistent soliciting for donations, and hawkers offering overpriced goods, the Aarti in Rishikesh offers a peaceful contrast. Held in an intimate setting with a small group of people, it is a calm and meditative affair. You can choose to sit quietly in a corner and observe the ritual, or join the gathering in singing bhajans, enveloped by the soothing spiritual atmosphere.
The Aarti takes place at a stunningly picturesque location on the banks of the Ganges, right in front of a majestic Shiva statue standing by the river. As evening approaches, around 5 p.m., you begin to see preparations for the ceremony. People start tidying the area, laying carpets, and setting up for the Aarti, creating a peaceful and reverent atmosphere as the ritual draws near.
A few people are seen selling deep or diya - a flower bowl with a wick lamp to be floated down the river during the Aarti after prayers.Terivani Ghat Ganga Aarti. It starts at 5.30pm, with children studying Veda, the Bhajan singers and the performers walking into the ghat in front of Parmarth Niketan. It begins with Bhajans and prayers for Gangaji and Shiva.
It is fascinating to observe the children as the ritual unfolds. Dressed in vibrant saffron robes, they appear full of life, though some seem unaware of their surroundings, lost in their own world. A few engage in quiet conversations with one another, while others continue singing the bhajans with a distant expression. Some sit motionless, staring blankly, while a few are completely immersed in the music, joining the others with enthusiasm, clapping and singing along energetically to the rhythm.
As the sun sets and darkness gently falls, the Shiva statue is illuminated, casting a beautiful glow that adds to the spiritual atmosphere. The Aarti continues with lamps of various shapes and sizes being lit and passed from person to person, their flickering flames adding to the sacred ambiance of the ritual.
Lakshman Jhula
One of the most visited landmarks in Rishikesh, the Lakshmana Jhula is a suspended bridge that spans the Ganges, connecting one bank to the other. The bridge holds great mythological significance, as it is believed to be the spot where Lakshman crossed the Ganga on a bridge made of jute ropes. Visitors can enjoy breathtaking views of the Himalayan ranges from the bridge. Today, the Lakshmana Jhula connects two well-known ashrams—Sivananda Ashram and Swarg Ashram.
Bharat Mandir
The Bharat Temple in Rishikesh houses a statue of Lord Vishnu, depicted with four different symbols—Shankha (conch), Chakra (discus), Gada (mace), and Padma (lotus)—in his four hands. The statue is carved from a single saligram, a sacred stone revered as a form of Lord Vishnu. Bharat, considered an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, is central to the temple's significance. The Bharat Temple is mentioned in several revered Hindu scriptures, including the Vishnu Purana, Mahabharata, Bhagavad Gita, Vaman Purana, and Narsingh Purana.
Every year, on the day of Basant Panchami, the Shaligram is taken to Mayakund for a sacred bathing ritual. The return journey is marked by a grand procession. Devotees believe that if someone performs 108 pradakshinas (circumambulations) around Lord Hrishikesh Narayan on Akshaya Tritiya, the Lord will fulfill all their wishes.
Triveni Ghat
Triveni is a spot where three rivers meet. TriveniGhat in Rishikesh is the holy confluence of river Ganga, river Yamuna and river Saraswati. Devotees take dip at the holy confluence to get rid of all sins committed and achieve salvation.
The evening Aarti at Triveni Ghat is a major attraction for people from Dehradun, Haridwar, all of Uttarakhand, across India, and even Hindu devotees from around the world. The sight of floating diyas, flowers, and the chanting of sacred mantras and bhajans creates a deeply enchanting atmosphere. The towering statue of Lord Shiva seated on a bull, along with the statue of Krishna and Arjuna in a chariot, depicting the initiation of the Mahabharata war, adds to the awe-inspiring experience.
Ram Jhula
The bridge is equally popular among both devotees and tourists, located about 3 km north of Rishikesh town. Its proximity to renowned ashrams like Geeta Bhawan and Swarg Ashram makes it a major attraction. Visitors can't miss the captivating evening prayer at Geeta Bhawan Ghat, which lasts for about 30 minutes. For food lovers, the iconic Chotiwala Restaurant, a beloved institution for over 50 years, is located near Ram Jhula and is a must-visit.
Geeta Bhawan
Geeta Bhawan is one of the oldest temple complexes, located beside Laxman Jhula on the banks of the sacred Ganges in Rishikesh.
Geeta Bhavan serves as a museum dedicated to promoting awareness of Puranic and mythological traditions among the public. The large complex houses discourse halls and over 1,000 rooms, available free of charge for devotees’ stays. For their convenience, simple vegetarian meals, kitchen essentials, and Indian sweets are offered at very modest prices.
Neelkanth Mahadev
Thousands of devotees visit Neelkanth Mahadev every month throughout the year. The temple is situated at the summit of a mountain, overlooking the sacred Ganga River.
According to mythology, this is the spot where Lord Shiva drank the venom produced during the churning of the ocean (Samudra Manthan), which turned his throat blue. As a result, the place was named Neelkanth, meaning "the one with the blue throat." Neelkanth and Mahadev are both revered names of Lord Shiva.
Parmarth Niketan
Across the Ram Jhula Bridge stands the vast Parmarth Niketan Ashram, featuring hundreds of rooms. The ashram organizes a variety of religious programs throughout the year. Foreign visitors can stay at the ashram only with special permission.
Swargashram
OOne of the oldest ashrams in Rishikesh, the Kali Kamliwala Kshetra was founded by Swami Vishudhanand, who was also known as 'Kali Kamli Wala' (The One with the Black Blanket). Today, it has evolved into a large organization that encompasses a wide range of activities.
Vashishta Gufa
Vashishta Gufa, a renowned meditation spot, is located on the banks of the River Ganga, about 16 km from Rishikesh.
It takes about an hour's drive along the Rishikesh-Badrinath Highway to reach Vashishta Gufa. For adventure seekers, the area also offers camping facilities.
Kunjapuri Devi Temple
The kunjapuri Devi Temple is situated on a hillock, approximately 15 km from Rishikesh. This temple is dedicated to one of the thirteen most revered goddesses of the Shivalik range.
The temple is popular among travelers for offering stunning views of both the sunrise and sunset, with a clear view of the majestic Himalayan peaks.