Rishikesh

CityDehradun, Uttarakhand

Last updated August 6, 2026

The suspension bridge Laxman Jhula spanning the Ganges at Rishikesh, with ashrams lining the riverbank

The Yoga Capital of the World, known for its spiritual significance and adventure sports

Plan your trip

Essential Info

Best Time to Visit

September to November, February to May

The story

History & Architecture

History

Rishikesh has been a center of yoga and meditation for centuries owing to its location on the Ganges at the foothills of the Himalayas, but it entered global popular culture in 1968 when the Beatles stayed at Maharishi Mahesh Yogi's ashram to study Transcendental Meditation — a visit widely credited with introducing yoga and Indian spirituality to a mass Western audience and cementing Rishikesh's modern identity as the "Yoga Capital of the World."

Local lore

Myths & Legends

What locals say

Tradition holds that the sage Raibhya performed penance here so intense that Lord Vishnu appeared before him as "Hrishikesh" (lord of the senses), giving the town its name; another local legend places Lord Rama's penance for slaying the demon-king Ravana at Rishikesh, connecting the town to the wider Ramayana geography of the region alongside nearby Lakshman Jhula, said to mark where Rama's brother Lakshman crossed the Ganges on a jute rope.

Highlights

Main Attractions

Laxman Jhula and Ram Jhula

Beatles Ashram

Triveni Ghat

Ganga Aarti

White water rafting

Yoga centers and ashrams

Beyond the obvious

Hidden Gems & Photography

Hidden Gems

•The Beatles Ashram (Chaurasi Kutia), reopened to the public with its original meditation domes and Beatles-era graffiti, is a quieter alternative to the crowded ghats
•Kunjapuri Temple, a sunrise viewpoint above the town, offers a panoramic Himalayan view with far fewer visitors than the riverside sites
•The quieter left-bank ghats north of Ram Jhula see a fraction of the crowds of the main Triveni Ghat area

Photography Tips

•The evening Ganga Aarti at Triveni Ghat or Parmarth Niketan, with rows of lit lamps set adrift on the river, is the town's signature shot — arrive early for a clear view
•Laxman Jhula and Ram Jhula both frame well from the ghats below at golden hour, with the suspension bridges silhouetted against the river
•Whitewater rafting operators generally allow action shots from the raft; use a waterproof case or action camera given the spray

On the map

Location

Getting there

How to Reach

By Air

Jolly Grant Airport, DehradunDED

Distance: 21 km

By Train

Rishikesh Railway StationRKSH

Distance: 5 km

By Road

•Well connected to Delhi (240 km)
•Regular buses from Delhi, Dehradun, Haridwar

Local Transport

Auto-rickshawTaxiShared jeepsWalking

Travel with care

Responsible Tourism

The Ganges here is considered sacred; avoid entering the river with soap, shampoo, or other pollutants, even where locals bathe
Respect ashram rules on dress and photography — many are active places of worship and study, not just tourist sites
Choose rafting and adventure operators registered with the state tourism department for both safety and environmental compliance standards
Rishikesh is officially vegetarian and alcohol-free within municipal limits out of respect for its religious character; visitors are expected to observe this