Must Visit Attractions of Rishikesh
Rishikesh in Uttarakhand State in India is a popular pilgrimage centre, a world renowned spiritual destination and adventure capital of India. Tourists visit Rishikesh with different motives in mind. Some wish to indulge in the adrenaline rushing adventure sports and others go to meditate and lose themselves in this spiritual destination. For those who visit the town to check out the aura of the place, here is a a list of must visit attractions in Rishikesh that should include in your itinerary. Take a look!
Laxman Jhula
Laxman Jhula is a popular attraction of Rishikesh and has been luring tourists since years. It is 450 feet a hanging bridge across river Ganga, built in the year 1939. According to the popular legends, Laxman, the younger brother of Lord Ram crossed the Ganga using jute rope from this point. There is a thirteenth storey temple located near Laxman Jhula. This is one of the must visit attractions of Rishikesh that offers magnificent views of the River Ganga.
Ram Jhula
Ram Jhoola connects Swargashram with Shivananda Ashram. There is good number of ashrams located near Ram Jhula. It is bigger in size as compared to Laxman Jhula and offer more picturesque views of the surrounding; hence making it another must visit attraction in Rishikesh.
Neelkanth Mahadev Temple
Located on summit of mountain across sacred River Ganges, Neelkanth Mahadev Temple is a place where Lord shiva devoured the venom produced during ‘ Sagar Manthan.’ The evnt turned his throat blue and hence he came to be known as Neelkanth. Neelkanth and Mahadev are both names of the famous Hindu diety Lord shiva. Thi is a most sought after and one of the must visit attractions of Rishikesh.
Gita Bhavan
Once you cross Laxman Jhula you reach Gita Bhavan, it is a famous ashram in Rishikesh, known for depictions on walls - paintings, statues, scenes from the epics Mahabharata and Ramayana on the wall. Pravachans, keertans are a regular affair inGita Ashram. Those interested can enjoy Bhakti Sangeet here in the evenings. The complex also has some hundred rooms for accommodation for pilgrims. Gita bhavan makes for another must to visit attractions in Rishikesh.
Triveni Ghat
This is a popular Ghat and must to visit attraction in Rishikesh, known for Ganga aartis. The ghat is called Triveni because three mountain streams, Ganga , Yamuna and Saraswati flowing from the Himalayas meet here. It is a most sought after place for spectacular morning and evening aartis.
Bharat Mandir
Bharat Mandir makes for another must to visit attraction in Rishikesh. It is one of the most ancient temples in Rishikesh founded by Adiguru Shankaracharya in the 12 century. The temple is deicated to Lord Vishnu, one of the famous deities in the Hindu mythology.
Kailash Niketan Temple
Crossing Lakshman Jhula, the main temple you will see is Kailash Niketan Temple. It is a 13 storey structure slightly different from regular temples. The temple has sculptures of all the gods and goddesses and is another must visit attractions in Rishikesh. A visit to this spiritual town is worth the value of money spent on flights tickets to Rishikesh.