The Reasons Why Rishikesh is famous for Yoga

In the foothills of mighty Himalayas and the bank of the holy Ganga lies the quaint town of Rishikesh. It’s one of the very few places where nature and tranquility meet to create perfect setting for spiritual journey. For thousands of years, saints and sages have found this place most suitable for spiritual practice and have attained enlightenment. One can feel the spiritual vibrations all around here.

There was a time when Rishikesh had only wooden houses and huts where spiritual seekers constantly meditated. In secluded dwellings, seekers learnt the ancient vedic scriptures. In course of time, the small settlement grew into a town and now it has developed into a yoga hub with people all across the world thronging to experience the inner peace through yoga and meditation.

Rishikesh is now often dubbed as Yoga capital of the world. The town is dotted with yoga schools and meditation centres where training is imparted in various yogic traditions — Hatha yoga, Vinyasa yoga, Ashtanga vinyasa, Iyenger yoga, Kundalini yoga and many more.

There are several reasons Rishikesh is famous for yoga globally.

1. Rishikesh has good connectivityStanding on the foothill of the Shivalik range of the Himalayas, the town has superb road connectivity. The six-lane highways connect the town with national capital New Delhi and state capital Dehradun. The town is also linked with rail and has several pairs of trains arriving and departing daily. Besides, it is not very far from the nearest Dehradun airport which is barely 25 kilometres from the main attractions of the town. The transport infrastructure is well-developed and all kinds of vehicles are available all the time. For intra-city movement, enough battery-powered rickshaws are available. For inter-city movement, private as well as state buses keep departing at regular intervals. With solid telecommunication network in the town, you can stay connected with your friend and families as per your convenience.
2. No dearth of adventure sports

   Besides being popular among spiritual seekers, the town is famous for a range of adventure activities. From adrenaline-rushing experience of bungee-jumping to river-rafting, Rishikesh is also a perfect destination for river rafting and trekking in the hilly jungles. Tourists from various parts of the nearby cities rush to Rishikesh over weekends for camping along the Ganges river. Irrespective of the adventure sports you choose, there is gorgeous view of the nature. In case planning to have floating experience, you can sit down in hot air balloons to take panoramic view of the beautiful surroundings. If you are in the town for yoga classes and want to take a break from the daily routine, there are many adventure sports to keep you rejuvenated.

3. Numerous places to visit

   Ram Jhula and Lakshman Jhula (iron suspension bridges across the Ganga river) are two most-frequented landmark tourist sites in Rishikesh. The two bridges allow visitors to take breath-taking view of the mighty Ganga. While Ram Jhula connects the two main ashrams Swargashram and Parmarth Niketan, the Lakshman Jhula connects two districts of Pauri Garhwal and Tehri Garhwal! There are a lot many temples which have huge religious significance for local tourists. Some of them are Bharat Mandir, Tera Manzil temple, Raghunath temple and Tulsi temple. Geeta Bhawan, Osho Gangadham and Guru Maharshi Mahesh Yogi Ashram (also known as Beatles ashram) are other sites of popular attraction. Neelkanth Mahadev temple is about 15 kilometres from Ram Jhula and is among must-visit site on the list of religious tourists. At such serene places, you can sit in meditation for 20 minutes to stay calm. 

4. Shoppers’ delight

   Rishikesh has several shopping arcades that add to the overall experience of visiting the town. From handicraft to ayurvedic products, the local markets have a wide variety of products to choose from. Shops around Ram Jhula and Lakshman Jhula are famous for hand-woven garments, precious stones, artifacts and books on yoga and meditation. Stores here also sell pooja items and idols of deities. You can pick up souvenirs from these shops for your family and friends. Some of these shops can test your bargaining skills! There are several eateries and restaurants in these markets that offer numerous Indian and Chinese cuisines. For music lovers, shops sell CDs with soulful bhajans and instrumentals for indulging in meditation. The ambience of the market especially in the evening is quite uplifting.

5. Affordable lodging and food

   From various ashrams providing accommodation at nominal prices to five-star hotels offering luxurious stay, Rishikesh offers all kinds of lodging options. Some of the ashrams even offer free of cost stay! The yoga schools also offer 3-day, 5-day and longer retreats at affordable rates. If you are planning a budget trip, the town has choices galore. Food is not at all expensive. Geeta Bhawan is quite popular among tourists and visitors for snacks and Indian sweets. If you are looking for Chinese or Thai dishes, there are several fine-dining restaurants around the town. The cheaper stay and food options make Rishikesh one of the favourite places among students keen to a yoga course for longer duration.

   In a nutshell, Rishikesh is one of the most favourite spots for religious tourists, spiritual seekers and bag-packers. It can be either your next holiday destination or place to attain Nirvana. The little town on the eastern bank of the river Ganges is worth visiting for your varying needs.  If you are coming here for a yoga course, very few other places can match its experience.