Rishikesh
Rishikesh or Hrishikesh is a municipal corporation and tehsil of the Dehradun district of the Indian state Uttarakhand.
It is situated on the right bank of the Ganges river and is a pilgrimage town for Hindus associated with famous sages and yogis. There are numerous temples and ashrams built along the banks of the river.
Nicknamed the "Gateway to the Garhwal Himalayas", Rishikesh is a vegetarian-only and alcohol-free city. The city has hosted the International Yoga Festival annually on the first week of March since 1999, giving it the nickname of Yoga Capital of the World.
Getting to Rishikesh
- 01ISBT
From Delhi, Rishikesh is about 230 km away and is well connected with buses.
- 02Yog Nagari Rishikesh NR
- 03Rishikesh NR
There are many express trains to Haridwar, with some going further to Rishikesh.
Worth seeing
- 01Bharat Mandir
One of the temples set up by 'Adiguru Shankaracharya' during the 12th century.
- 02Gita Bhavan
Place of Guru Shri Ram Sukh Daasji (the great thinker of his time) and popular among the Hindu Brahmin community.
- 03Neelkanth Mahadev Mela
One of the most sacred temples in Rishikesh.
- 04Parmarth Niketan Ashram
One of the few ashrams left in India where children get the Vedas education.
- 05Swarg Ashram
Shri 108 Baba kali Kamli Wale Swami Atam Prakash Ji.
- 06Trayambakeshwar Temple
It is 13 stories high, with different deities throughout.
Things to do
Rishikesh considers itself to be the yoga capital of the world. It's on offer everywhere, and most styles are represented. Yoga teacher training is offered at several places. Check into an ashram to study yoga, meditation and Hindu philosophy. See Yoga in Rishikesh for listings. Everyone needs healing. One option is to take a holy dip in the Ganges, which is believed to have healing powers.
- 01Maayaa International Healing School
- 02Chakra Ayurvedic Wellness
- 03Divine School of Ayurveda
Vibha Sharma), Laxman Jhula Road, Near Dharamraj Temple below Maestro Galleria, Pauri Garhwal (Reach Dharam Raj Temple on Laxman Jhulla), info@divineschoolofayurveda.com.
- 04Pankaj Music School
Ganga Vatika, Muni Ki Reti (100m left from Ram Jhula bridge, through Sivananda Memorial Arc),.
Where to eat
Non-vegetarian food has been banned in the city for many years. North and south Indian food is widely available, and there's no shortage of multi-cuisine backpacker cafes, especially in Laxman Jhula. What excites many foreigners are the delicious Ayurvedic and health food restaurants, perfect for an after-yoga meal.
- 01Zorba Organic Restaurant & Cafe
Near Dharam Raj Temple (walk form Laxman Jhula towards Dharam Raj Temple), maayaadhami@gmail.com.
Getting around Rishikesh the local way
- Get inAn alternative option is to take the train to Haridwar and continue by bus (45 min, ₹20), by taxi (30 min, ₹650) or by shared auto-rickshaw (40 min, ₹25).
- Get inYou can take share rickshaws (vehicle brand name Vikram) towards Lakshman Jhula (₹15) from Rishikesh.
- Get inShared taxis to destinations within Uttarakhand leave from Natraj Chowk, 1 km from the Rishikesh bus station.
- Get aroundTo visit eastern bank of Ganges, you have to walk across Janki Setu or Ram Jhula, or take ferry from Ram Jhula.
- Get aroundAuto-rickshaws (vikrams) are useful from the bus/train stations to get around: Janki Seti or southern Rishikesh – ₹10.
- Get aroundTapovan – ₹20 (2023), maybe ₹25 from the bus terminal Near the bank of Ganges, share jeeps and taxis are available to drop visitors at Neelkantha temple and waterfall.
From Wikivoyage: Rishikesh, CC BY-SA. Not yet checked by us. Last edited 2026-09.
Text adapted from Wikipedia and Wikivoyage, CC BY-SA 4.0. Photograph: Raghavanand98 (CC BY-SA 4.0), Wikimedia Commons.
