Description
Rishikesh is a small township and a municipal board in the Dehradun region of Uttarakhand,
India. It is scenically situated where the Holy Ganges River descends from the Himalayas.
Rishikesh, also written as Hrishikesh, Rushikesh, or Hrushikesh, is connected with Lord Rama
and Laxman. The town lies in the foothills of the Himalayas in the Garhwal district. It is
the gateway to the upper Garhwal area and the starting point for the Char Dham pilgrimage
(Gangotri, Yamunotri, Badrinath, and Kedarnath). It is an ideal destination not only for
pilgrims but also for those interested in adventure, meditation, yoga, and other aspects of
Hinduism. Rishikesh, also known as the “Place of Sages,” is a holy city located 24 km
upstream from Haridwar, at the confluence of the Chandrabhaga and Ganga rivers, surrounded
by the attractive beauty of the hills on three sides. The entire place is considered
blessed, as it is believed that meditation here leads to the achievement of salvation. There
are many temples, some very old and some new, along the river Ganges. Rishikesh is emerging
as the Adventure Capital of India for adventure seekers, as it is the suggested place for
starting trekking expeditions to the Himalayan peaks and for white river rafting.
Best Time to Visit Rishikesh
Rishikesh is a charming destination offering enchanting views throughout the year. The
weather here is continental, but its position in the foothills gives it pleasant weather
year-round. The best time to visit Rishikesh is from February to March and August to
October. May and June can be fairly warm, with temperatures reaching up to 35°C. The best
time for river rafting in Rishikesh is from late September to mid-November and from early
March to the first week of May. In July, there is a fair in Rishikesh called Savan, where
thousands of people flock to the town, causing major roads to be blocked and hotels to be
crowded. It is better to avoid travelling to Rishikesh during that time.
How to Reach Rishikesh
By Air - Dehradun’s Jolly Grant Airport is about 15 km from Rishikesh.
It is a small, quiet, and recently renovated airport handling many flights from Delhi.
By Rail - Rishikesh railway station is connected to Haridwar by a
branch line, but there are only about three slow trains daily.
By Road - Travelling from Delhi to Rishikesh by car is a good option.
It’s a 6 to 7-hour trip. Rishikesh is approximately 230 km from Delhi and is well
connected by buses. A bus journey may take about 5-7 hours.
