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Rishikesh
Fact File
Area :11.20 sq. km (City area).
STD Code :0135
Altitude :356 m (1190 ft).
Rainfall :152.4 cm yearly average.
Best time to visit :April-October .
Main Attraction :Lakshman Jhula, Swarga Ashram.
Excursions of Rishikesh :Dehradun, Chila, Narendra Nagar,
Devprayag.
Location
Located on the banks of the holy Ganges, Rishikesh is a popular
religious destination in India.
About the city
Rishikesh represents the Gateway to the Himalayas in the
Tehri-Garhwal region of Uttar Pradesh. It abounds in natural
splendour. The spectacle of the Ganga rushing through the Himalayan
foothills is an awesome sight.
It is believed that several yogis and sages lived and practised
penance here. Rishikesh represents the site where Vishnu vanquished
the demon Madhu.
Rishikesh has a number of ashrams and temples that make it an ideal
destination for a religious tourist. But Rishikesh is an equally
wonderful destination for an adventure traveler. Rishikesh provides
wonderful opportunity for trekking, rock climbing and river rafting.
Rishikesh is located in the state of Uttaranchal and is about 230
kilometers from Delhi.
History
It is said that Bharata, the brother of Lord Rama, did severe
penance here. A temple of Bharata was constructed at this site, and
the town of Rishikesh grew up around it. The town got its name when
Raibhya Rishi performed tapasya (austerities) here. Lord Hrishikesh
(another name for Lord Vishnu) came before him and granted him
darshan. Lord Vishnu is said to have killed the two demons Madhu and
Kaitabha here. Rishikesh is where most pilgrims begin their Char
Dham pilgrimage of going to Badrinath, Kedarnath, Yamunotri, and
Gangotri. Rishikesh is at the meeting point of the Ganges and
Chandrabhaga Rivers.
Tourist Attraction in Rishikesh
Lakshman Jhula
This suspended iron bridge was build in 1939 and has been a major
attraction among the tourists. Ram Jhula- The other suspended Iron
bridge was recently constructed between Shivanand Ashram and Sawarg
Ashram.
Ram Jhula
Near Swarg Ashram this is another swinging bridge which was made a
few years back. This is also called Shivanand Jhula.
Gita Bhavan
Situated just across the Lakshman Jhula, this newly constructed
building has earned its name as a tourist attraction because of its
attractive paintings and statues that depict scenes from Hindu
mythology. It also houses an ayurvedic dispensary and has a branch
of the much-famous Gita press of Gorakhpur.
Swarga Ashram
A large number of temples, some of the best eating points that
serve only vegetarian food and shops where one can bargain for
curios and mementos and buy sweets and flowers to offer in the
temples is what marks the Swarga Ashram stretching across a vast
area. It attracts tourists because of its mesmerizing statues
studding the area.
Neelkanth Mahadev
It is a place of interest especially for the religious minded
tourists. It is said to be the place where Lord Shiva drank the
venom that had come out during the cosmic churning of the ocean by
the gods and demons. The spot is at a distance of 12 km from the
centre of Rishikesh town and is surrounded by lush, sylvan forests.
Triveni Ghat
This is where people come to bathe in the river. Many sit on the
steps and gaze at the beauty of the Ganges before them.
Surrounding it are many temples.
Bharat Mandir
The oldest temple in Rishikesh - the black statue of Vishnu, here,
is supposed to have been consecrated by Sri Sankaracharya, in the
9th century. The event is commemorated, during Vasant Panchami, to
mark the onset of spring.
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