Rishikesh is a unique tourist destination in India that is equally popular for adventure sports, yoga opportunities, natural beauty and pilgrimage. You can opt to enjoy a relaxing swim at infinity pools in Rishikesh resorts while being surrounded by glorious greenery, or opt to go for a bungee jumping adventure. This serene town is also referred to as 'Yoga Capital of the World' and houses a number of ashrams, as well as meditation and yoga centres.
Rishikesh: A perfect holiday destination
Rishikesh is located 25 km ahead of Haridwar and provides easy access to the Himalayan region of India. In fact, this town is famous for being a great starting point for starting an expedition in the Himalayan region. Rishikesh lies on the foothills of the Shivalik range on the banks of the river Ganga and has become a prominent site for white water rafting and kayaking. People from across the country, and even places abroad, love to visit this town and spend their holidays enjoying a bountiful of memorable experiences.
Individuals interested in visiting temples and spending time in a spiritual environment can always choose to visit the nearby shrines like Neelkanth Mahadev Temple and the Vashistha Cave. It would be prudent for them to explore ancient religious sites like Shatrugana Mandir, Bharat Mandir, and Lakshman Mandir. One can even admire the construction of the two incredible suspension bridges present in Rishikesh, the Ram Jhula and The Lakshman Jhula. Amidst all the sightseeing, one must not forget to witness the enchanting Ganga Arti that is performed on the Triveni Ghat during dusk. Conversely, if someone is a hardcore Beatles fan, they can always visit the famous Beatles Ashram where the fabulous five attended a transcendental meditation session.
The expansive range of experiences offered by Rishikesh makes it a perfect holiday destination for any person.
How to reach Rishikesh
- By air: Jolly Grant Airport of Dehradun is the airport nearest to Rishikesh. There are daily flights to Dehradun from New Delhi. After reaching the airport, one can take a cab or bus to Rishikesh.
- By bus: Much like most popular tourist destinations of India, Rishikesh enjoys a good network of buses that connects it to cities like Dehradun, Haridwar and New Delhi. Usually, buses depart both in the morning and evening every day from the Kashmere Gate in New Delhi for Rishikesh.
- By Train: The nearest railhead to Rishikesh is in Haridwar. However, Haridwar is well-linked to major Indian cities, starting from Mumbai and Kolkata to Delhi through major popular trains. People planning to take a train journey to Rishikesh should consider taking the train till Haridwar, and then take either a taxi or a bus to Rishikesh.
- By car/bike: There is nothing better than taking a good old road trip to Rishikesh, especially for someone living in North India. This town is connected to other cities via National Highway 58. It takes approximately six to seven hours to drive down from Delhi to Rishikesh.
Before setting off for their Rishikesh trip, one must book a good hotel or resort in the city to enjoy their stay comfortably. Holidays can even find amenities like a spa and infinity pool Rishikesh resorts.