From Wikitravel

Rishikesh is a small town in the northern state of Uttarakhand in India. Scenically located where the Ganges River comes down from the Himalayas, Rishikesh catapulted to Western fame when the Beatles dropped by for a visit to Maharishi Mahesh Yogi's ashram (now closed), and the town is still known as the World Capital of Yoga.

Rishikesh is also the Gateway to the Himalayas. The Char Dham Yatra (Four Shrines Sacred Journey) ideally begins from Rishikesh.

[edit] Understand

The center of town where the train and bus stations can be found is of little interest to most travelers. Further north-east are 2 bridges spanning the Ganges, Ram Jhula and Lakshman Jhula, and either end of these bridges are the main hubs of activity and interest.

Most accommodation and restaurants can be found in Lakshman Jhula, High Bank and Swarg Ashram.

[edit] Get in

[edit] By plane

Rishikesh is in close proximity of Dehradun's Jolly Grant Airport (about 15 km) - a small, quiet, recently renovated airport handling just two flights from Delhi. The runway is being extended and will possibly then handle flights from other metros.

[edit] By train

A quiet branch line connects Rishikesh to Haridwar, but there are only about three slow trains daily. It's best to take the train to Haridwar and continue by bus (45 min, Rs 17), by taxi (30 mins, Rs 500) or by shared auto-rickshaw (Rs 20, 30 min).

Travel agents in Swarg Ashram and Lakshman Jhula can book train tickets for onward journeys, much easier than going to Rishikesh railway station to buy a ticket. Some may sell you a ticket from Raiwala, a small stop between Rishikesh and Haridwar, but this station, while closer, is tiny and trains only stop for a few seconds - better to board the train in Haridwar.

From Delhi there are many trains to Haridwar, some of the best are: Shatabadi Express, Jan Shatabdi, AC Special Express, Mussoorie Express.

[edit] By bus

From Delhi the city is about 230 km away and is well connected with buses. A Bus journey may take about 5-7 hours - depending on the traffic - and costs you about Rs 130-350. An AC Bus will cost about Rs 200-500.

In Rishikesh, there are several travel agencies scattered around Swarg Ashram and Lakshman Jhula that can book luxury buses to common destinations like Delhi (Rs 250-500), Jaipur, Pushkar and Varanasi.

[edit] Get around

Auto-rickshaws (vikrams) are useful from the bus/train stations to get to either of the bridges (Rs 8) and for the southern side of the Ganges. Swargashram is pretty much pedestrian only, but it's compact and walkable (as is the whole of the town). For other autorickshaw journeys you should expect to pay around Rs 15/km.

[edit][add listing] See

• Trayambakeshwar Temple, Lakshman Jhula, is 13 stories high, with different deities throughout.

• Lakshman Jhula
• Gita Bhavan
• Swarg Ashram
• Parmarth Niketan
• Bharat Mandir
• Neelkanth Mahadev Mela

• Triveni Ghat , This is a bathing ghat. Daily in the morning and evening there are thousands who take bath here and enjoy the Maha Aarti being performed. It very soothing to sit on the banks of the river and enjoy the cool breeze from the river.

[edit][add listing] Do

• Take a holy dip in the Ganges, with reputed healing powers.

• Yoga, of course! It's on offer everywhere, and most styles are represented.

• Check into an ashram to study yoga, meditation and Hindu philosophy.

• Ashtanga Yoga at Tattvaa Yogashala Swargashram Near Ram Jhula Bridge.

• Watch a beautiful evening Ganga Arti at Parmarth Niketan

• Watch where you step, cows and their leftovers are abundant. Watch out for the sometimes brash food stealing monkeys, too.

• White Water Rafting Rishikesh is very popular for its rafting on the River Ganga (Ganges). Season: September-November and March-April-May are ideal for rafting. Imagine freezing water trying to push you off the boat like a bull does to a cowboy. Yes it sounds crazy but once you do it, you can't get enough of it. Nothing can beat the experience of this short trip to Rishikesh. You get to be with nature and the elements!! People do it for various reasons and surely you will find yours by the end of it.

• Rappelling Climbing down with a rope is called rappelling. The group is taken to a spot where there is a cliff drop, experts with proper equipment who setup the gear first and then, one by one, everyone comes down. It's all about trusting your gear and following the instructions and then it's a lot of fun.

• Rock climbing This is something everyone is fimiliar with, this is also included in some of the camps but not everyone can do it as it requires a lot of strength and skill. The group is take to a cliff side and with proper safety gear everyone is given a chance to climb the cliff side.

• Cliff Jumping You are supposed to jump into freezing water from a cliff! Yes, it sounds crazy but this is one thing which everyone can brag about back home, of course you are wearing a life jacket and a helmet but still to jump from so high into the Ganga which is murky and the bottom can't be seen, it's not like jumping into a swimming pool where one can see the bottom the water is static.

• Kayaking is the use of a kayak for moving across water. Kayaking is differentiated from canoeing by the fact that a kayak has a closed cockpit and a canoe has an open cockpit. They also use a two bladed paddle. Another major difference is in the way the paddler sits in the boat. Kayakers sit in a seat on the bottom of the boat with their legs extended out in front of them. Canoeists will either sit on an elevated bench seat or kneel directly on the bottom of the boat. Whitewater kayaking is the sport of paddling a kayak on a moving body of water, typically a whitewater river. Whitewater kayaking can range from simple, carefree gently moving water, to demanding, dangerous whitewater.

• Trekking There are a lot of soft treks in this region, this is an optional thing as some people love to walk in nature and do a bit of bird watching and some prefer to be at the camp and relax and they are already tired with the activities they have done.

• "Eat" the famous Chotiwali Special / Janata or Delux Thali . Once upon a time it used to be an unlimited affair but now due to practical constraints the quantity is limited and extra helpings are charged . But if you crave for good and simple typical Indian home Food , this is the place to be
• Mukeshji's Jungle Vibes, Shisham Jhari,Rishikesh. Have the once in a life time experience of making the Australian Didgeridoos, african Djmbes and other musical instruemnts in the guidance of iconic Mukeshji while he enthralls you with his hillarious stories and takes you along with him in his Himalayan Journies.  edit
• Ram Jhula

[edit][add listing] Buy

As with most holy cities come tourist destinations there's a plethora of religious paraphenalia, cheap clothing aimed at foreigners, incense, bronze shiva statues, etc. Unlike many other similar towns in India prices here are usually reasonable and you won't have to haggle hard for a good price.

[edit][add listing] Eat

Non-vegeterian food has been banned in the city for many many years. North and south Indian food is widely available, and there's no shortage of multi-cuisine backpacker cafes, especially in Lakshman Jhula. What excites many foreigners is the delicious Ayurvedic and health food restaurants, perfect for an after-yoga meal.

Many of the main lanes are lined with wooden push carts selling in-season fruit, veggies, popcorn, nuts, warm cookies and lots else, and you'll usually be quoted a fair price. The papayas here are particularly delicious.

[edit] Ram Jhula

• Mukti's Health Food , (a few hundred metres west of Shivanand Jhula bridge, overlooking the taxi stand/parking lot). A tiny place in a strange location, but very popular and excellent food. Famous green pasta, Indonesian gado-gado, and homemade frozen yogurt, apple pie or chocolate cake for dessert.

• The Welcome Center, (about a 10-15 minute walk towards Haridwar from the Shivanand Jhula bridge), (0) 135 244 2337, thewelcomecentre@yahoo.com. Hidden down off the road (but signposted), this is a little oasis of calm from the busy street. Great Ayurvedic food and teas. They also offer cooking classes, several types of yoga, etc. and sell natural incense, netty pots, yoga mats and the like. If you like the atmosphere, enquire about staying here as well.

[edit] Swarg Ashram

• Shiva-resort, a nice place away from the bustling market of ram-jhula towards neelkanth road in jonk village the best place to have organic food and you also can stay there with silent and pleasnt place.

• Chotiwala in Swarg Ashram claims to be the original, and serves up great Indian food including 5 different thalis. Meals Rs 40-80.

• Ganga Ayurvedic Food Place, (out beyond most of the ashrams, just past VED Niketan Ashram). Delicious food, lovingly prepared. One of the cleaner kitchens around, don't be afraid of the good salads. Also great for breakfast.

• Little Italy, Swarg Ashram, (in the Green Hotel). Good pasta, pizza, etc. Mains from Rs 30.

• The Office. Has amazing sweet samosos filled with mango, apple, banana and/or chocolate.

[edit] Lakshman Jhula

• Lucky Restaurant, (3 minute walk from the Lakshman Jhula bridge), 0091-135-2433223. Very good Indian meals prepared with the freshest produce (organic whenever possible), whole grains, beans, soy, quality herbs and spices.
• La Bella View.

• Devaraj Cafe, +91-135-2442-089. Perched above the Laxman Jhula bridge, offers a good view of the Ganges with good food and desserts.

[edit] High Bank

[edit] City

• Red Night Restaurant, Open air, river facing restaurant and terrace. 0135- 2440094

[edit][add listing] Drink

• Sitting around in dhabas and cafes is nearly mandatory here. In addition to the old standards like masala chai and lassis you can find a nice range of Ayurvedic teas. Some restaurants make up their own tonics to treat anything that may be ailing you.

• Alcohol is banned and inappropriate, as Rishikesh is a holy city.

[edit][add listing] Sleep

Rishikesh is filled almost entirely with budget hotels, with a few mid-range thrown in for good measure. Lakshman Jhula is popular with backpackers and has the cheapest accommodation, while Swarg Ashram is where the majority of the ashrams are located, and is a nice alternative. There's also a handful of accommodation options in High Bank.

It's wise to book ahead in the peak tourist season, and during the Kumbh Mela in neighboring Haridwar.

[edit] Budget

Hotels in this range start as low as Rs 100.

• Ananda Guesthouse, Swargashram, (next to Krishna Cottage). Friendly owner. Rs 150-200.

• Shiva Resort [1] Swargasharm. Near taxi-stand Ram Jhula. Nice and open rooms with balconies and garden starting from Rs 250-999. Also offers yoga lessons in morning (7:00am to 8:30am ) & evening (5:30pm to 7:00pm) and in house pool and internet cafe and ayurvedic treatments and panchkarma centre.

• Lucky Hotel, [2]. Lakshman Jhula. Rs.300.00-Rs.1299.00.

• Hotel Ishan, Lakshman Jhula. Decent rooms with Ganga views and balconies. From Rs 200.

• Green Hotel, Swarg Ashram, 243 1242. Is a large, popular place with a good restaurant. Rs 100-1000.

• Jaipur Inn, Laxman Jhula. Nice rooms, some with a view and a good restaurant on the top floor that overlooks both the Laxman Jhula and the Ganges River. Single Rs. 900 - Double Rs. 1000

Many ashrams also offer cheap lodging.

• Rishikesh Yog-peeth the complete yoga study and retreat. Conduct yoga teacher training courses and ayurvedic treatment centre . See Shiva Resort above.

• Nirmal Ashram, Mayakund, (Very close to Triveni Ghat).

• Sivananda Ashram, Ram Jhula, (on the north side of the Shivanand Jhula bridge).

• Mount Valley Mama Cottage, High Bank, The friendliest hostess in Rishikesh, Mama, will make you feel right at home with her wholesome breakfasts and scrumptious thali. Nice Ganga views and the best shower in india. Great rates that cater to the backpacker's bank account.

• Patanjali Yoga Center, Ram Jhula Taxi Stand, (the best place to study Iyengar Yoga with all modern equipments and a modern yoga studio) Rooms Rs. 100-above.

• Sri Ved Niketan Ashram, Swarg Ashram. A large place offering hatha yoga, meditation, etc. Rooms Rs 50-150.
• Yoga Niketan Guest Houese, Near Ram Jhula. On the river, private Ghat, Guests can avail of meditation,yoga classes in their main Ashram above- a five minute uphill walk. Clean and rooms on Ground and First Floors have private sit out with exceptional view of the Ganga. Basic Veg meals available on request or at Ashram Rs.200/- per day. Non Ac Rs.500: AC Rs.990/-

• Sant Seva Ashram, Laxman Jhula, +91-135-2430-465. Budget rooms on the banks with a great view from Rs 250-700. Long stays allowed. Booking can be done only 1 or 2 days in advance. Homely restaurant attached.

[edit] Mid-range

There are two Government Tourist Lodges.Their rates range from INR 600 to 2000.

• Bharat Bhumi in the town.

• Sisham Jhari on the banks of the Ganges.this is the best option.

Online booking of both these tourist resorts can be done at [3]

• Hotel Ganga View, Haridwar Road. 15m away from the riverbank. INR 1950-2350.

• Tapovan Resort, Lakshman Jhula, [4]. A newer hotel with good rooms and a garden. Also has a decent restaurant. INR 1650-1850.

[edit] Splurge

• Hotel Ganga Kinare, 237 Virbhadra Road, ☎ + 91 114 622 3300 (uhl@uttrakhandhotels.com), [5]. On the right bank of the Ganga, with a private ghat, this upscale hotel overlooks the picturesque Rajaji National Park. A couple of rolling lawns host morning yoga sessions and spiritual lectures. Various heads of states and celebrities have stayed here. 3 restaurants on site. Rs 3000-6000.  edit

[edit] Stay safe

A holy city it may be, but Rishikesh draws more than its fair share of criminals and conmen. Don't walk around alone at night and beware of the motives of sadhus offering one-on-one tutoring.

[edit] Get out

• Shivpuri is one of the most visited places around Rishikesh, and only 10 km away. It is the hub for many adventure sports like river rafting, camping and trekking.

• Rajaji National Park - just 20 minutes drive away.

This is a usable article. It has information for getting in as well as some complete entries for restaurants and hotels. An adventurous person could use this article, but please plunge forward and help it grow!