Rishikesh

About Rishikesh — Yoga Capital of the World

Rishikesh is the “Yoga Capital of the World” — but it’s also where the Ganga turns aqua-clear, where the Beatles came to meditate with Maharishi Mahesh Yogi in 1968, and where adventure travellers land for India’s best white-water rafting. Set in a forested valley at 372 m where the Ganga emerges from the Himalayas, Rishikesh is a sacred Hindu town and one of the four key gateways for the Char Dham yatra. The iconic Lakshman Jhula and Ram Jhula suspension bridges, the magical Triveni Ghat aarti, riverside ashrams, yoga retreats and the Beatles Ashram together make Rishikesh one of India’s most distinctive destinations.

Best Time to Visit

• September – November — perfect (15–28 °C). Best for rafting and yoga.
• February – May — pleasant; rafting peak season.
• March (Internat. Yoga Festival, 1 week) — global yoga gathering.
• June – August — heavy monsoon. Rafting closed (river too dangerous).
• December – January — chilly (5–18 °C) but clear; many yoga retreats run year-round.

Top Attractions

Triveni Ghat Aarti

The most spiritual moment in Rishikesh. Every evening at sunset, hundreds gather at Triveni Ghat (the bathing ghat) to release floating diyas (oil lamps) on the Ganga and witness the priests perform the Maha Aarti with massive flame towers. Far more intimate than Varanasi or Haridwar.

Lakshman Jhula & Ram Jhula (Suspension Bridges)

The iconic 137-m and 230-m iron suspension footbridges across the Ganga (originally built in the 1920s and 1980s). Lakshman Jhula was permanently closed for foot traffic due to wear; the new Bajrang Setu opened in 2024 nearby. Ram Jhula remains open. Walking these bridges — through pilgrims, sadhus and cows — is a defining Rishikesh experience.

The Beatles Ashram (Maharishi Mahesh Yogi Ashram)

Where the Beatles spent 4 weeks in 1968 learning Transcendental Meditation — and wrote nearly 50 songs (most of “The White Album”). Abandoned in 1997, beautifully restored in 2015. The graffiti-covered meditation pods, the lecture hall and the dome are atmospheric and instagram-worthy.

White-Water Rafting on the Ganga

India’s best white-water rafting — Class II to Class IV rapids (Brahmapuri, Shivpuri, Marine Drive, Kaudiyala). Standard 16-km Brahmapuri-Rishikesh trip (₹600–800) is perfect for first-timers. 26-km Shivpuri (₹1,200) is the popular intermediate option.

Parmarth Niketan & Ganga Aarti

One of India’s largest ashrams (Swargashram) — the evening Aarti here (5–6 PM) is more elaborate than Triveni and attended by Swami Chidanand Saraswati ji.

Tera Manzil Temple (Trayambakeshwar Temple)

13-storey temple at the Lakshman Jhula end — climb to the top for incredible views over the Ganga and Rishikesh.

Neelkanth Mahadev Temple (32 km)

Sacred Shiva temple at 1,675 m — believed to be where Lord Shiva drank the poison that emerged from the Samudra Manthan (cosmic ocean churning), which turned his throat blue (neel-kanth). 1-hour drive through forest.

Yoga & Meditation Retreats

The world’s most respected ashrams — Parmarth Niketan, Sivananda Ashram, Yoga Niketan, Shivanand Ashram, Anand Prakash, Phool Chatti — offer 7–60 day yoga TTC (Teacher Training), pranayama, meditation, ayurveda. International Yoga Festival in March attracts 50,000+.

Adventure

• Bungee jumping at Mohan Chatti (83-m, India’s highest)
• Flying fox / zip line
• Body surfing / kayaking
• Cliff jumping
• Camping at Shivpuri

Vashishta Cave (15 km)

Sacred cave where Sage Vashishta (Lord Ram’s guru) is said to have meditated — a power spot. The riverside ghat below has emerald-green Ganga water perfect for a dip.

Things to Do

• Maha Aarti at Triveni Ghat (sunset)
• Walk Ram Jhula and Lakshman Jhula at sunrise
• White-water rafting (Brahmapuri 16 km — beginner / Shivpuri 26 km — intermediate)
• Visit the Beatles Ashram and meditate in a graffiti pod
• Yoga class at Parmarth Niketan or Anand Prakash
• Bungee jump at Mohan Chatti (highest in India)
• Trek to Neer Garh Waterfall (5 km)
• Day trip to Neelkanth Temple
• Sip masala chai at the iconic German Bakery, Lakshman Jhula side
• 7-day yoga TTC for serious practitioners
• Sunrise camping on the Ganga banks

Local Food

• Rishikesh is strictly vegetarian and alcohol-free within town limits (sacred zone)
• Healthy backpacker cafés — Pyramid Café, German Bakery, Beatles Café, Little Buddha Café
• Continental, Israeli, Italian cafés along the riverside
• Aloo Puri, Halwa, Kachori, Rabri — North Indian classics
• Free langar at most ashrams (Parmarth Niketan serves to all)
• Best fine dining: Ananda Restaurant (at Ananda in the Himalayas Spa), Ramana’s Garden Café (organic farm-to-table)

How to Reach

By Air

Closest airport: Dehradun (DED) — 35 km / 1 hr drive. Daily flights from Delhi, Mumbai.

By Rail

Rishikesh Station (RKSH) — limited trains. Most use Haridwar (HW) 25 km away, well-connected from Delhi.

By Road

Delhi 240 km (5–6 hr by Yamuna Expressway), Haridwar 25 km (45 min), Dehradun 35 km (1 hr). Overnight Volvo from Delhi (₹800–1,500). See our fleet.

Travel Tips

• 2 days minimum for sightseeing + rafting; 7+ days for yoga retreat
• Stay across the Ganga (Lakshman Jhula side) for atmosphere — quieter, more spiritual
• Strictly vegetarian and dry within town limits — alcohol/meat banned
• Dress modestly — shoulders covered at temples and ashrams
• Book yoga TTC 6+ months ahead — best ashrams full year-round
• Don’t drink the river water — but bathing ghats are OK
• Combine with Haridwar + Mussoorie for a Uttarakhand trip
• Avoid monsoon for rafting (closed for safety)

Ready for the yoga capital? Use the booking card or message Prithvi on WhatsApp — we’ll plan your Delhi-Rishikesh trip with a riverside ashram stay, white-water rafting, evening aarti and yoga teacher training.