Rishikesh is more than just a yoga capital. This spiritual town in Uttarakhand offers amazing natural beauty and old landmarks. Whether you love yoga or nature, these five famous sites will make your trip unforgettable. Let’s explore the must visit places and spiritual sites in rishikesh that show the true spirit of Rishikesh.
Must Visit Places Rishikesh
Laxman Jhula & Ram Jhula
These two hanging bridges are the heart of Rishikesh. Laxman Jhula stands 450 feet long and hangs 70 feet above the holy Ganges. According to Hindu stories, Lord Laxman crossed the river here using jute ropes. Today, this iron bridge connects Tapovan to Jonk village.
Just to walk over Laxman Jhula is a journey. The bridge trembles as each foot steps upon it and its scenery are beautiful with the flowing Ganges beneath it. It will have ancient temples and ashramas on each side and bazaars. On the one side, there is the 13 story Tera Manzil Temple which is visited by thousands of people daily.
Ram Jhula was built in 1986 and is found beneath its elder brother. This bridge is somewhat longer as well as wider than Laxman Jhula. It links Swarg Ashram and Sivanada Ashram and thus it is significant to both pilgrims and tourists.
The two bridges come to life in the morning and evening. The golden light that has bounced back the Ganges makes magic time worth capturing images. These bridges, however, are pedestrian only. The ban of motorcycles came as a result of safety concerns in last few years.
The space beneath the two bridges is full of activity. The rudraksha beads, spiritual books, and local snacks are sold by the street vendors. There are cafes with mountain views all over, and these are the ideal places to rest. Furthermore, there are evening Ganga Aarti rituals in the vicinity that further enrich your visit with spirituality.
These bridges are not far away to yoga students who are staying at Himalayan Yoga Association. They offer the ideal blend of spirituality, history and natural beauty making Rishikesh special.
Neer Garh Waterfall
Neer Garh Waterfall is the peaceful escape to nature, hidden within the green forest near Rishikesh. This brilliant waterfall is found just half a kilometer beyond the main town center. The waterfall runs the entire year round but the most beautiful season is during the monsoon season.
The deep forest trails will be traversed at a medium level in order to reach Neer Garh. It is a 30 minutes walk on Rishikesh-Badrinath Road which has a spectacular physical setting. You will find singing birds on the way, and fluttering butterflies and sweet mountain air. The trip itself involves adventure.
The nearer you are to it, the more you can hear the sound of falling water. The waterfall is also high enough as it falls into an actual pool on the opposite side. The water is crystal clean and your swimming would be fine and you can even have a rest after hiking. It is a place in which people are able to spend hours of their lives, just relaxing
There are also picnic sites within Neer Garh. The smooth rocks provide a good seat on which you can have a rest. In addition, the scenery surrounding the area is the best place to relax and reflect. It is a good place to turn off the electronic clatter.
Weekdays are very quiet and peaceful in Neer Garh. The weekends are however expected to be full of local families and tourists. Therefore, the morning visit is the most suitable. The trees also help the morning light to create some sort of magic.
You must be safe when you are visiting. The rocks where the waterfall is situated are wet and thus, are slippery. In addition, it is also advisable not to go swimming in the season when the volume of water is so enormous.
Bring some snacks and water into your hike. There are no stores and restaurants within the locality of the waterfall.
Remember not to leave your rubbish on the ground and therefore take good care of this natural marvel. The next destination after the Himalayan Yoga Association is the Neer Garh Waterfall where people will be able to take a rest after morning yoga.
Vashishta Gufa (Cave)
Another important spiritual site in the landscape of Rishikesh is the Vashishta Gufa. It is an ancient cave that was utilized in meditation, which is 25 kilometers out of the town. This is where one of the seven great sages Sage Vashishta meditated thousands of years ago. The cave also possesses strong spiritual power which has attracted seekers all over the world.
The cave is situated on the banks of River Ganges and it is naturally cool all year long. It has a plain entrance to a little room of its own. The walls are aged and display centuries of meditation practice. The atmosphere of the cave is profound and transforming though it is simple.
There are beautiful paths alongside rivers on the way to Vashishta Gufa. The 45 minutes drive between Rishikesh provides panoramic mountain scenery and a glimpse of the village population. There you will see an idyllic ashram complex by the cave. The ashram offers accommodation to dedicated spiritual aspirants.
Within the cave, deafness is louder than words. Most individuals claim to have deep meditation states here with ease. Natural sound quality renders the chanting and mantra practice beautiful. Even the skeptics confess to something special that they have in these old walls.
The most real experience is the early morning visits. The sun is rising and the Ganges is getting some beautiful reflections. On the riverside steps you can practice yoga and then visit the cave. The mixture of nature and spiritual power is the ideal situation to achieve inner transformation.
There are other smaller caves and meditation areas close to the area. Serious yoga students and monks find peace here. The whole place has a serene environment, devoid of business interruptions.
It is important to also remember that when visiting this holy point one should wear decently. Take off shoes and get into the cave, as it is always done. Indoor photography is typically prohibited to maintain the meditative atmosphere. Vashishta Gufa is the spiritual legacy that is veritable and renders Rishikesh the most unique.
Kunjapuri Devi Temple
Kunjapuri Devi Temple has a height of 1,645 meters and has spectacular Himalayan views. It is an ancient Shakti Peeth situated at the summit of a mountain, outside Rishikesh. The temple bears the name of the goddess Durga and it carries with it gigantic religious ramifications. It is said to be the place where the body of Goddess Sati had broken up once it was cut down to half by the chakra of Lord Vishnu.
Most of the tourists pay a visit to the area before the sun comes up in order to pay homage to Kunjapuri. The pre-sunrise stroll will cover approximately 6 kilometers of mountainous terrains. The 360-degree perspective reveals snowy mountains, deep valleys and curvy Ganges below. This spectacular view makes all the efforts of climbing to the top worth it.
The temple per se is made in a simple yet beautiful design. There are special celebrations in the Krsna temple during Navratri festivals where thousands of followers are present. The air is filled with devotional charges, chanting and ancient rituals. Regular days are more peaceful and quiet, however.
Since the sun comes up, there are numerous trekkers who descend on various tracks through the forest. These roads run towards Rishikesh over beautiful mountain villages. You will pass through local life, terraced farms, and pleasant villagers. The entire loop is approximately 4-5 hours, and it is speedy depending on you.
Physical fitness is an advantage, though the trek is appropriate to people who are fairly active. Wear shoes which are comfortable and have good grip on rocky ground. Bring your own water and light snacks as energy. Moreover, carry warm ups because the weather and climate are very cold on higher locations.
Kunjapuri trek is the best place to be accompanied by yoga at Himalayan Yoga Association. It makes your body work and feeds your soul with nature and spiritual power.
Rishikund
Rishikund is the hidden spiritual jewel of Rishikesh and it is commonly overlooked by the tourists. This religious pond is located in the middle of the old town premises. Old writings state that sage Raibhya Rishi did severe penance here. Rishikesh derived its name after this sacred kund (pond).
The pond is traditionally designed and has stepped ghats on every side. These are stone steps that enable pilgrims to descend and make ritual baths. The water is said to be purifying and cleansing of sins and bad karma. The religious ceremonies and prayers are usually done here by the followers.
Rishikund has some of the ancient temples and dharmhalas. During festivals, there is the lighting up of the entire space with diyas and ornamental lights. Compared to most of these places, Rishikund lacks the touristy atmosphere. This is where you observe true religious activities and not business spirituality. Older pilgrims do their morning rituals as priests are carrying out traditional rituals. The scene provides an understanding of the real spiritual culture in Rishikesh.
The early morning wakes Rishikund. There are locals who come in order to prepare their daily prayers and ritual baths. One can hear temple bells and devotional songs. It is the most authentic experience of traditional Indian spirituality that is offered in this period.
The pond is also an area where the community gathers. Individuals congregate along the ghats, and tell tales and religious conversations. Evening time is very quiet and tranquil. There are small tea shops around which provide food and opportunities to communicate with local people.
Going to Rishikund gives another perspective of Rishikesh. It reveals the spiritual background of the town outside yoga and adventure tourism. The pond is fairly silent and serene during the day. To students at Himalayan Yoga Association, it offers an introduction to actual Indian spiritual practices.
