Rishikesh

Rishikesh ऋषिकेश
—  city  —
Rishikesh Location of Rishikesh in Uttarakhand and India
Coordinates	30°06′N 78°18′E
Country	India
State	Uttarakhand
District(s)	Dehradun
Population	75,020 (2001)
Time zone	IST (UTC+05:30)
Area • Elevation	• 372 metres (1,220 ft)
Codes • Pincode • 249201 • Telephone • +0135 • Vehicle • UK 07

Rishikesh (Hindi: ऋषिकेश), also spelled Hrishikesh, Rushikesh or Hrushikesh, is a city and a municipal board in Dehradun district in the Indian state of Uttarakhand. Located in the foothills of the Himalayas in northern India, it is known as The Gateway to the Himalayas. Rishikesh is surrounded by three other districts namely Tehri Garhwal, Pauri Garhwal and Haridwar. It is located around 25 km north of holy city, Haridwar. While Rishikesh has a permanent population of merely 75,000, the city attracts hundreds of thousands of pilgrims and tourists each year, from within India, as well as from other countries. It is a vegetarian city by law, an alcohol-free city, and has also banned the use of plastic bags by shopkeepers and vendors.

Etymology

"Hṛṣīkeśa" (Sanskrit: हृषीकेश) is a name of Vishnu that means 'lord of the senses'. The root words Hrishik and ish join together to make Hrishikesh. Hrishik means Senses and ish means master or Lord. Hence the word means Lord of Senses or Lord Vishnu. The place gets its name after Lord Vishnu who appeared to 'Raibhya Rishi', as a result of his tapasya (austerities), as Lord Hrishikesh. In Skanda Purana, this area is known as 'Kubjamrak' as Lord Vishnu appeared, under a mango tree.

The name Rishikesh is loosely applied to an association of five distinct sections encompassing not only the town but also hamlets and settlements on both sides of the river Ganges. These include Rishikesh itself, the commercial and communication hub; the sprawling suburb Muni-ki-Reti or the "sands of the sages"; Shivananda Nagar the home of Sivananda Ashram and the Divine Life Society founded by Swami Sivananda, north of Rishikesh; the temple section of Lakshman Jhula, a little further north; and the assorted Ashrams around Swarg Ashram on the east bank. One can reach the famous Neelakanta Maha Deva Temple from here. The Ganga Aarti performed at dusk at the Triveni Ghat is popular with visitors. 'Neelkanth Mahadev Temple', situated 28 km from Rishikesh, amidst forest is also a popular local pilgrimage, along with 'Vasishtha Guha', (Cave of sage Vasishtha), 21 km up from the town by the Ganges.

History

Rishikesh has been a part of the legendary 'Kedarkhand' (the present day Garhwal). Legends state that Lord Rama did penance here for killing Ravana, the demon king of Lanka; and Lakshmana, his younger brother, crossed the river Ganges, at a point, where the present 'Lakshman Jhula' (लक्ष्मण झूला) bridge stands today, using a jute rope bridge. The 'Kedar Khand' of Skanda Purana, also mentions the existence of Indrakund at this very point. The jute-rope bridge was replaced by iron-rope suspension bridge in 1889, and after it was washed away in the 1924 floods, it was replaced by a stronger present bridge.

The sacred river Ganges flows through Rishikesh. It is here that the river leaves the Shivalik mountains in the Himalayas and flows out into the plains of northern India. Several temples, ancient as well as new, can be found along the banks of the Ganges in Rishikesh.

Yoga Center

A statue of Shiva meditating at parmarth niketan on the Ganges River

Rishikesh, sometimes nicknamed "the world capital of Yoga", has numerous yoga centres that also attract tourists. It is believed that meditation in Rishikesh brings one closer to attainment of moksha, as does a dip in the holy river that flows through it. Rishikesh is world famous for Rafting and Adventure. Rafting season starts from the month of September and ends in March.

Rishikesh is also home to the 120-year old Kailas Ashram Brahmavidyapeetham, an institution dedicated to preserve and promote the traditional Vedantic Studies. Prominent personalities such as Swami Vivekananda, Swami Rama Tirtha and Swami Shivananda have studied in this institution.

In February 1968, The Beatles visited the now-closed Maharishi Mahesh Yogi's ashram in Rishikesh. John Lennon recorded a song titled, 'The Happy Rishikesh Song'. The Beatles composed nearly 48 songs during their time at the Maharishi's ashram, many of which appear on the White Album. Several other artists visited the site to contemplate and meditate.^{[citation needed]}

Geography

Rishikesh is located at 30.103368°N 78.294754°E / 30.103368; 78.294754. It has an average elevation of 372 metres (1,745 feet).

The Tehri dam is just 80 km uphill on the way to Gangotri. Rishikesh is the starting point for traveling to the sites that form the Char Dham pilgrimage — Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri, and Yamunotri.

Demographics

As of 2001 India census, Rishikesh had a population of 59,671. Males constitute 56% of the population and females 44%. Rishikesh has an average literacy rate of 85%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 90%, and female literacy is 78%. In Rishikesh, 12% of the population is under 6 years of age.

Panoramic photography of rishikesh.

Adventure sports

Rishikesh is becoming a popular spot for white water rafting enthusiasts, both from India and abroad, as it offers medium to rough rapids in the course of river Ganges, with rapids rated class 3 and class 4. It is also a center for hiking and backpacking. Recently, bungee jumping has also been introduced in Rishikesh, the first and only bungee jumping camp in India.

Gallery

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  A Hindu temple in Rishikesh

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  Ghats by the River Ganges

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  Ram Jhula Bridge across the Ganges at Muni Ki Reti, built in the 1980s.

The Ganges is one of the finest and popular river rafting spots in the world. Rafting through it is an above the world experience where you get an opportunity to overcome your fear and know yourself in depth. Adventurous tourists will be delighted to recognize that Rishikesh offers white water rafting from September to June, when the river is neither to wild nor too placid. The Ganga comes rushing down from the mountains, passing through Kaudiyala (40 km) Shivpuri (19 km) before it reaches Rishikesh. Here, it slows down, before bursting into white water rapids as it descends into the plains.

Lots of operators provides rafting in Rishikesh and have riverside camps between Rishikesh and Kaudiyala, with tents for overnight stay, and all the necessary equipment is part of the package. The rafting distance of 36 km from Kaudiyala to Rishikesh has 12 main rapids; Shivpuri 10 km from Rishikesh is one more peaceful river rafting spot where camping amenities are arranged for along the banks of Ganges River. The rafting camps are well equipped. Besides the camping facilities, you are as well provided with professional guides and top quality equipment and rafting gear.

The rafting rapids have been given different names so that it becomes easy to recognize them. Rapids have interesting names like Marine Drive, Daniel's Dip, Golf Course, Sweet Sixteen, Cross Fire, Three Blind Mice, Roller Coaster, Good Morning, Cash Flow and the Wall. Generally grade III rapids are popular among seasoned rafters at Rishikesh, They can be enjoyed at Rishikesh while starting beginning from Marine Drive to Shivpuri. Most of Rishikesh Hotels are Ganga Facing and provide decent accommodation.

How to Reach there: - Details of Buses, Flights and Trains

Attraction of Rishikesh

Triveni Ghat: - Triveni Ghat is considered as the most important attractions of Rishikesh. Every evening, thousands of devotees perform aarti in the honor of river Ganga. Tourists or pilgrims coming to Rishikesh make sure to attend the evening aarti.

Lakshman Jhula: - Lakshman Jhula, a landmark of Rishikesh that attracts many tourists throughout the world. Towering to a height of 450 feet, it is a suspension bridge that was built in 1939. The Lakshman Jhula is constructed over river ganga which offers picturesque views of the river and its surrounding.

Bharat Mandir: - The Bharat Mandir is the oldest temple of Rishikesh, situated near the Jhanda Chowk. Rishi Rabhya did his penance at this holy spot and the place is devoted to Lord Vishnu. A spectacular sacred Shree Yanthra is placed at the inner canopy of the temple. Bharat Mandir celebrates colourful spring festival called ‘Basant Panchami’.

River Rafting Rishikesh: - Daring of fascinating rivers, Rishikesh beckons you to plunge into river rafting. Adventure sport like river rafting is an experience in itself that offers oodles of fun, thrill and excitement. There are many river camps here which are on during the time of September to mid December and February to April. But the best season for rafting is September to November and March to May.

The only time of the year when river rafting in Rishikesh is virtually impossible at Rishikesh is during the rainy season which starts roughly in November and ends sometimes in March. Due to the heavy rains and high water levels on the river, during this period rafting is very unsafe.

Besides your spirits in peace and spirituality at Rishikesh, one can enjoy the interesting adventure sports at these places, considered as the best place for river rafting.

For more information visit - directory of Rishikesh