Rishikesh

Why Rishikesh? Everyone asked.

Rishikesh is a small off beat place, along the bank of Ganges in Uttarakhand state .It is one of the most spiritual places in India also known as the ‘Yoga Capital of India’. It's an entry to Himalayas (not with the extreme weather conditions)

How to go

By Air:

Flight to Dehradun (Jolly Grant Airport) from Pune/Mumbai. Take a cab to Rishikesh or you can opt for Uttarakhand State Transport Bus (The total distance is 50 km which takes around 1.5 to 2 hrs).

At the time of writing this post the average cost of a flight from Pune to Dehradun is around 5k to 7k which is a costly option alternatively you can take a flight to Delhi instead from Pune/Mumbai which is comparatively cheaper.

By Road:

There are frequent buses plying from ISBT Kashmere Gate (Delhi) to Rishikesh with fares around 200-300rs for a 5 hr long journey. Private buses (800-1000 rs) are also available from same spot or you can book a cab till Rishikesh though it is quite expensive.

PS: If Rishikesh bus in not available you can take Haridwar bus and then take a bus to Rishikesh or take share autos for 40-70 per person.(20km-1hr)

As public transports are safe you can travel at night to save day time.

By Train:

Number of trains are available from Pune and Mumbai for Rishikesh , Haridwar and Dehradun. It's the cheapest mode of transport, you can save money but it takes around 18-24 hr to reach.

Best time to go

October to February, Summers are quite hot here.

Ram Jhula

Day 1

We reached Rishikesh bus stop at 9 am and took share auto to our ashram. Auto dropped us near Ram Jhula, a suspended bridge over the bank of river Ganga. These autowallah's seeing us tired and with heavy luggage, they charge you as they like, as it's the only mode of transportation to reach here, Beware of that and show some bargaining skills.

Photo of Ram Jhula, Swarg Ashram, Rishikesh, Uttarakhand, India by Travel Engineer

Parmarth Niketan Ashram

Neelkanth Mahadev Mandir

Rajaji National Park

Neer Garh Waterfall

Beatles Ashram

The most loved place in Rishikesh named after English rock band ‘the Beatles’. You will find Murals of band members of "The Beatles" seeing which you are bound to sing one or two Beatles song. Although it's ruins of what was an Ashram back in the day it's a must visit place. Ruins, murals make it a perfect combo for shutterbugs.

Entry fee -150

Photo of Beatles Ashram, Swarg Ashram, Rishikesh, Uttarakhand, India by Travel Engineer

Rishikesh is a home for number of ashrams which provides stay and food (Satvik) they even conduct spiritual programs and yoga sessions , etc with variable prices.(surprisingly some are even free).

We had a booking in a Parmarth Niketan Ashram ,located on other side of the river, having rooms ranging from Rs 300-2000. We were lucky to get a room with the best river view. You can use Ram Jhula or Boat ride (15 rs) to reach that side.

Parmarth Niketan is one of the most beautiful, and peaceful places in Rishikesh and is home to 14 feet Shiva statue sitting on a platform made on river's flowing water.

At sunset the ‘Ganga Aarti’ is an experience that you should not miss in Rishikesh. You will surely love this irrespective of your spiritual belief. That tempting sudden silence once the people leave after Aarti is a thing to experience. Sitting at the river side after sunset , with our feet dipped in cold water with slow breeze of air playing with hair and watching crystal clear water flowing was so peaceful.

Day 2

We hired bikes to explore the other parts of Rishikesh here is the list of those places.

Tera Manzil Temple

Food

Lets talk about the food that complete the triangle (Accomodation, Site Seeings, and Food) of any Travel story, we tried lot of new cafes, local food and some of them are

Satvik food in Parmarth Niketan Ashram, Chhole Bhature in Local food joint, Buddha's Cafe, Nirvana Cafe, Beatles Cafe.

Mind Well Non vegetarian food and alcohol are not allowed in Rishikesh

Things to know

Everything in Rishikesh closes around 7-8 pm and places are far away from each other, so make sure you hire bikes as autos are not available late night and walking on long lonely roads is not at all interesting.

Check for the timings of ashram you are living in. Some ashrams do not allow in and out after 9pm.

Though Rishikesh is the best and safe place for female solo travelers, avoid going alone after 9 pm.

Rishikesh is the place where you can find solo travelers as well as bunch of friends, Sadhus along with foreigners. It's fun watching different types of people in one frame.

Check my second post as a continuation to this post on Rishikesh regarding "Adventures in Rishikesh".

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