Last Updated on April 26, 2024 by Umer Malik
It was the 1960s when the famous English rock band the Beatles visited Rishikesh, today known as the “Yoga Capital of the World.” A spiritual awakening drew the legendary band to Maharishi Mahesh Yogi’s Ashram.
While it is expected that visitors to this spiritual city will spend some time at this ashram, there are many more attractions worthy of their time and energy. After a morning of rafting on the Shivpuri River and a quick bite to eat at one of the riverside cafes, spend some time exploring the stores and markets along Laxman Jhula.
At last, unwind at the Ghat and immerse yourself in the evening’s gorgeous and remarkably serene Ganga Aarti. And if you’re looking for an all-encompassing trip planner, this is the book for you. Learn more about what to see and do in Rishikesh by reading on.
- Laxman Jhula
Laxman Jhula, a 450-foot-long suspension bridge 70 feet over the river, is one of Rishikesh’s most famous landmarks. The bridge, which was constructed in 1939, is a popular tourist destination since legend has it that this is where Lord Laxman used a jute rope to cross the Ganges.
There are eateries on both sides of the bridge, but the nearby Laxman Temple and Tera Manzil Mandir are the real attractions.
Don’t rush across the bridge; instead, pause in the centre to take in the breathtaking panorama of the surrounding hills. There is nothing more unbelievable than this.
- Ram Jhula.
The Ram Jhula can be found not far after the Laxman Jhula. Though it was constructed a few years after Laxman Jhula, this suspension bridge is nearly identical in design and construction.
On sunny days, you may see the Himalayas as you cross this bridge, and the Ganga River will be raging below. This is a beautiful sight that visitors to Rishikesh should not miss.
Moreover, the bridge is well-known for its role in connecting the city’s two most well-known ashrams, the Swarg Ashram and the Sivananda Ashram. This bridge is around 450 feet long, and from it, you can get stunning vistas of the surrounding valleys and temples. Those who wish to fully appreciate their surroundings are advised to stroll leisurely.
- Tera Manzil Mandir
This is one of the most well-known temples in Rishikesh, and it goes by the name Trimbakeshwar Temple as well. The temple, which sits on the Ganges River, is a towering 13 stories high and features stunningly gorgeous architecture. Its brightly coloured exterior makes it stand out from a distance.
- Shri Bharat Mandir
Shri Bharat Mandir, devoted to the Hindu god Hrishikesh Narayan, is one of the city’s oldest and most venerated places of worship. Many legends surround the origins of this magnificent structure. The Pandavas, it is said, worshipped here at the temple of Hrishikesh before they went to heaven. The temple was reportedly turned into a monastery for a period of time when Lord Buddha paid a visit. This is fascinating, right?
- Triveni Ghat
You may enjoy the evening Ganga Aarti at one of Rishikesh’s most well-known ghats. The holy significance of the Ghat stems from the myth that it is where the Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati rivers meet.
Haridwar
Haridwar, which translates to “Gateway to God,” is one of India’s seven holiest towns (Sapt Puris), and it can be found in the state of Uttarakhand on the banks of the sacred Ganges River. In addition to its many temples and ashrams, Varanasi is also famous for its ghats and other sacred Hindu monuments. Haridwar is home to the five holy sites known as the Panch Tirths (Five Pilgrimages): Har Ki Pauri, Mansa Devi Temple, Chandi Devi Temple, Kankhal, and Kushavarta. Every year, the city sees a large number of visitors, but the population swells dramatically for the Maha Kumbh Mela (which takes place once every 12 years) and the Ardh Kumbh Mela (which takes place once every six years) (held every 6 years).
- Har Ki Pauri
Har Ki Pauri, also known as Lord Shiva’s Steps, is a sacred ghat on the Ganga River in Haridwar. Lord Vishnu is reported to have left a big footprint on a wall, and the Vedas state that both Shiva and Vishnu visited this area. This is where the Ganga River emerges from the mountains and begins its journey over the plain; it is also known as Gangadwar.
It is claimed that if you bathe in the waters of Har Ki Pauri, where the mythical bird Garuda mistakenly dropped Amrit (elixir), your sins will be wiped away. Hundreds of worshippers show up at the ghat every evening and every morning for the Ganga aarti.
- Mansa Devi Temple
The Mansa Devi Temple is another well-known Haridwar attraction; it can be found atop the Bilwa Parvat in the Shivalik Hills, and as a result, it is also known as the Bilwa Tirth. Goddess Mansa, who is worshipped at this Siddh Peeth, is supposed to have been born from Lord Shiva’s thoughts and to be a form of Goddess Shakti.
Devotees visit from all over North India because they think that if they pray to Goddess Mansa, she will grant their every wish (the name of the deity means wish). One of the best ways to see Haridwar is by visiting this hilltop shrine, which can be reached by either a hike or a ride on the ropeway.
- Temple of Chandi Devi
Numerous pilgrims travel to the Chandi Devi Temple, which is devoted to Goddess Chandi, a manifestation of Goddess Durga, in the hopes that their prayers will be answered. In mythology, the goddess fought the demons Chand-Mund and Shumbh-Nishumbh atop Neel Parvat in the Shivalik Hills, where this temple now stands. The temple was supposedly built by Kashmiri King Suchan Singh, while Adi Shankaracharya erected the idol in the eighth century.
Take the ropeway (Chandi Devi Udankhatola) for a breathtaking view of Haridwar on your way to the temple. The Gaurishankar Mahadev Temple, devoted to Shiva, is another popular religious destination not far away.
- Kankhal
The Daksha Mahadev Temple and the Maa Anandamayi Ashram can be found in the little community of Kankhal, one of Haridwar’s five Panch Tirths. The former is revered by many as a place of worship for Lord Shiva, and it receives a particularly high number of visitors during the auspicious month of Sawan. This second structure is a temple dedicated to the Bengali guru Maa Anandamayi.
Kushavarta Ghat, one of the Panch Tirths, and the world-famous Patanjali Yog Peeth, one of the largest yoga centres in the world, are both located in Kankhal. The 151-kilogram-mercury Parad Shivling is the main attraction at the Pardeshwar Mahadev Temple in the Harihar Ashram in Kankhal Road.
- Maya Devi Temple
Maya Devi Temple, one of Haridwar’s three Siddh Peeths, is devoted to the goddess Maya, the city’s patron deity; in honour of her, Haridwar was formerly known as Mayapuri. The temple stands on the spot where the heart and navel of the goddess Sati are said to have crashed to the ground in ancient mythology.
This temple, located on Har Ki Pauri Ghat, is one of the oldest in India, having been constructed in the 11th century. Numerous worshippers come to the temple every day, but the number of visitors increases dramatically during Navratri and the Kumbh Mela in the hopes of receiving the goddess’s blessing and having their wishes granted.
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