Picture yourself sitting by the Ganges ghats, watching the gushing sounds of the river, hearing temple bells, & witnessing the holy Ganga aarti bringing you the utmost peace within yourself. Rishikesh is one divine city in Uttarakhand to experience all these. This city is located in the Himalayan foothills beside the holy river Ganges & is one of the popular travel destinations attracting tourists from all over India. Famously called the Yoga Capital of India, it is a land of spirituality, adventure, art, & yoga.
Also called the Abode of Gods, Rishikesh derives its name from Hrishikesh, one of the names of Lord Vishnu. There is also a mention of this divine city in Skanda Purana, one of the holy texts in the Hindu religion. Dotted with several Hindu temples & ashrams, Maharishi Mahesh Yogi ashram is one of the places to visit in Rishikesh. Also called Chaurasi Kutia, it is where the legendary English rock band Beatles recorded many songs from ‘The White Album’. Let us get to know more reasons why you must visit Rishikesh.
Why Visit Rishikesh, The Yoga Capital of India, During Your Vacation?
There are abundant tourist spots marking the essence of spirituality & adventure. If you plan to visit the divine city on your vacation, let us help you bring the Rishikesh itinerary guide of the places you must visit.
Healing your mind & body naturally with yoga
Since Rishikesh is famously called the Yoga Capital of India, you can experience taking yoga lessons by indulging yourself in yoga lessons from professional instructors at yoga centres. Having such sessions will evolve positivity in your life & make you experience mental peace.
Taking a holy dip at River Ganges
There are many popular activities to do in Rishikesh. One such is taking a holy dip in the river Ganges. It is believed that taking a dip here cleanses the sins. Besides Hindu pilgrims, you will also spot sadhus taking an early morning dip into the river. When experiencing the holy bath, remember to take a Gangaajal bottle when returning to your hometown. You should also not miss attending the Ganga aarti at Triveni Ghat.
Seeking peace at temples
Rishikesh is a divine city stocked with numerous temples to seek peace with oneself. Some of the major ones to consider are Neelkanth Mahadev Temple, Raghunath Temple, Virbhadra Temple, Kunjapuri Devi Temple, Trimbakeshwar Temple, Bhootnath Temple, Bharat Temple, & Shatrughna Temple.
Visiting the famous Beatles Ashram
As we have mentioned above, Rishikesh draws the attention of tourists to Maharishi Mahesh Yogi ashram, also called Chaurasi Kutia. It is where the famous English rock band made many recordings of their songs from ‘The White Album’. Since their visit to this ashram in 1963, the ashram became famous with their name.
Making your way to Laxman Jhula
Your visit to the Yoga Capital of India is complete if you experience a thrilling walk to Laxman Jhula. From this 284 ft long suspension bridge, you can enjoy a fantastic view of the gushing water flow of the Ganges below. This spectacular view is worth capturing with your camera.
Enjoying adventure activities like river rafting & more
If you think that Rishikesh is an ideal travel destination to experience peace, then let us correct that this divine city also welcomes adventure enthusiasts with its range of adventure sports like river rafting, a popular water sport. However, we advise you to avoid it during monsoon, as it can be risky because the water level is very high during this season. The other adventure activities here are ziplining, bungee jumping, hot air ballooning, trekking into the mountains, & speed boating.
Shopping at popular marketplaces of Rishikesh
Lastly, when it’s time to say goodbye to the divine city, you must give it a happy ending by shopping for some items from the popular marketplaces here, including Rishikesh Main Market, Lakshman Jhula Market, Ram Jhula Market, Shyampur Haat Bazaar, & Gole Market. Buying things like perfumes, souvenirs, clothes, or local spices from these is a token of your memorable visit.
Where to stay in Rishikesh, the Yoga Capital of India
When planning your visit to Rishikesh, you need to plan your staycation by choosing the correct option from the list of best hotels. But why waste your time browsing when you can bank on jüSTa Rasa Retreat & Spa? Encircled with verdant green & picturesque views, it is one of the top luxury resorts in Rishikesh to experience comfort at its 28 spacious rooms. All the rooms here are acquainted with world-class amenities & private balconies. The other leisure amenities this resort provides visitors include steam, a sauna, a jacuzzi, a spa, & a swimming pool.
The resort lets you organise a special occasion or plan a destination wedding in Rishikesh. In that case, this resort will leave no stone unturned in making your special day turn out to be a memorable event not just for couples but also for guests at its banquet hall, which is spread at 1500 sq. ft comprising multiple seating arrangements styles. The lawn area at this resort is 3200 sq. ft.
Coming to the dining part, the resort has an in-house restaurant named Under The Banyan Tree. The meals here are prepared with the freshest ingredients from organic sources. It depends on your choice. Whether you love to have a buffet meal in the indoor eatery area or outside to have a panoramic view of the mountains, you will have an unforgettable dining experience here.
Conclusion
Rishikesh is famously called Yoga Capital of India because it welcomes people to come & attend yoga classes & learn yoga plus meditation. This divine city is not confined merely to pilgrimage spots but also welcomes adventure seekers to go & live every moment with several sports like river rafting, bungee jumping, trekking, hot air ballooning & ziplining. Hence, Rishikesh brings spirituality & adventure under one roof.
