1. Triveni Ghat
It is one of the most famous ghats and places to visit in Rishikesh and makes for a beautiful destination to watch the evening Ganga Aarti. The sanctity of the Ghat comes from the legend that it sees the confluence of three major rivers – Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati.
The ghat is considered sacred and if Hindu mythology is to be believed, it is said that a dip in the holy water of Ganga near the ghat can purge all your sins. After all, this ghat has been mentioned in both our epics – Ramayana and Mahabharata. It is one of the best Rishikesh places to visit to just sit by the ghat in the evening and soak in the splendour of the Aarti.
2. Ram Jhula
A few miles downstream from Laxman Jhula is the Ram Jhula in Rishikesh. Almost similar in its structure and construction, this suspension bridge was built in 1980, a little later than Laxman Jhula. It is one of the must-visit places to visit in Rishikesh for its scenic views.
As you cross this bridge, you will witness the Himalayas peeking out of clouds on clear days and the Ganga River gushing down in full flow. It does make for a scenic vista which you don’t want to miss when in Rishikesh.
The bridge is also renowned for linking two popular ashrams of the town – Swarg Ashram on one end and the Sivananda Ashram on the other. About 450 feet long, this bridge offers breathtaking views of valleys and the temples around making it among the top 10 places to visit in Rishikesh. Walk slowly if you want to take it all in.
3. River Rafting
No trip to Rishikesh is complete without trying the adrenaline-spiking water sport – river rafting. And the best place to indulge in one of the most exciting adventure activities in Rishikesh is Shivpuri. A hub for river rafting, the place is crowded with people who want to try this adventure sport. It is one of the best places to visit in Rishikesh for adventure sports whether you want to go for the short 9-km or the long 21-km expedition.
There are many things to do in Rishikesh like bungee jumping, zipling, and Giant Swing, and if you want to do it all, we recommend you book a 1N/2D camp. After river rafting, you can unwind in the tents and spend your evenings around a bonfire. It is advised to plan your trip according to the weather, as during monsoon season or heavy rainfall the level of the river rises and rafting gets risky during that period. If you are looking for places to visit in Rishikesh in 2 days, you can plan the water activities in the morning and explore other best places to visit in Rishikesh in the evening.
Types of River Rafting
There are different types of rafting expeditions in Rishikesh:
1. Brahmapuri to Rishikesh River Rafting: It is the most preferred route for rafting in Rishikesh. This route is not very challenging and is perfect for different age groups. The length is around 9 KM and it takes about 1.5 hours in the completion of rafting. The cost for rafting is around Rs.450 per person.
2. Shivpuri to Rishikesh: This route offers some spine-chilling challenges and is only recommended for thrill seekers. The length of this rafting route is around 16 KM and it takes around 3.5 hours to complete. The cost is around Rs. 650 per person.
3. Kaudiyala to Rishikesh: This rafting route is considered to be the most difficult rafting route. Being an extensive and rough route, it checks the competence and patience of every rafter. This 35 km long rafting route in Rishikesh takes around 8 hours to completion. The cost is around Rs.1800 per person.
4. Laxman Jhula
One of the most prominent places to visit in Rishikesh, Laxman Jhula is a 450-foot long suspension bridge at a height of 70 feet from the river. Built in the year 1939, the bridge is an important attraction as it is believed that it is the same place where Lord Laxman crossed the Ganga River on a jute rope.
Laxman Jhula is among the top 10 places to visit in Rishikesh. While you will find plenty of cafes on both sides of the bridge, the famous places you should visit are Laxman Temple and Tera Manzil Mandir situated close by. When crossing the bridge, stop in the middle and just soak in the view of the hills all around you. Nothing is more surreal than this!
5. Neelkanth Mahadev temple
Located around 30 km from Rishikesh, this holy temple is considered one of the most important pilgrimage places to visit in Rishikesh for all the devotees of Lord Shiva. According to Hindu mythology, it is believed that the temple was built at the same spot where Lord Shiva drank the venom ‘Halahala’ that was extracted after churning the ocean to obtain the elixir of life.
Not only this, the temple also has a freshwater spring where devotees take a holy dip. It is considered among the top 10 places to visit in Rishikesh for a spiritual and religious experience.
6. The Beatles Ashram
Located at a distance of around 18 km from the city centre, The Beatles Ashram is among the best places to visit in Rishikesh. After the Beatles visited the ashram to do transcendental meditation, the outlook on Indian spirituality changed the world over and it became one of the top 10 places to visit in Rishikesh.
The time the Beatles spent at the ashram is touted as one of their most productive periods where they wrote plenty of songs. If you are a Beatles fan, you have to visit the ashram and soak in its tranquillity. The place is not maintained properly but still, the ruins look beautiful. Just find a spot inside the ashram and spend some hours meditating.
7. Tera Manzil Mandir
Also known as Trimbakeshwar Temple, this is one of the most renowned temples and among the top 10 places to visit in Rishikesh. Perched on the banks of River Ganga, the temple (as its name suggests) has 13 storeys and strikingly beautiful architecture. It can be easily distinguished from afar thanks to its colourful facade. There are many hotels in Rishikesh at this prime location near Laxman Jhula with a view of the beautiful Ghats and the Ganga.
8. Shri Bharat Mandir
One of the oldest and the most revered temples in the entire city, Shri Bharat Mandir is dedicated to Lord Hrishikesh Narayan. This glorious temple has several mythological stories behind it, making it one of the top 10 places to visit in Rishikesh. For instance, it is believed that the Pandavas, on their way to heaven, stayed at this temple and worshipped Lord Hrishikesh. It is also believed that at one point when Lord Buddha visited the temple, it was converted into a monastery for a few years. Fascinating, isn’t it? All these interesting stories make this temple among the best Rishikesh temples to visit.
9. Bungee jumping
Rishikesh, being the adventurer’s paradise, is also the hub of one of the most daunting yet exhilarating activities of them all – bungee jumping. And the best place to try this adventure sport is Jumpin Heights.
Apart from bungee jumping, this adventure sports point has provisions for flying foxes and giant swings. Right from expert instructors to the gear needed for bungee jumping, you will find everything here making it one of the best places to visit in Rishikesh. Plus, you can also record your reaction on camera. You will find some of the best hotels in Rishikesh nearby for a delightful stay.
10. Parmarth Niketan
Parmarth Niketan is among the top places to visit in Rishikesh if you are an ardent Yoga follower. Established in the year 1942, this ashram has grown into one of the biggest spiritual places in the country.
11. Byasi
Byasi is a small village and among the best places to visit near Rishikesh. If you are an adventure lover, this is the place for you. Camping, river rafting, and boating are some activities that happen here all through the year. The village has lots of restaurants and homestays too. Byasi is mostly famous for the spot for camping in Rishikesh.
12. Muni ki Reti
In the list of tourist attractions in Rishikesh, this town is a popular choice. Filled with innumerable Hindu temples and ashrams, the place will keep you grounded and calm. The town is just 6 km from the main Rishikesh city. The Ganges is less crowded here and you can enjoy a stroll through its banks. It is among the most unique places to visit in Rishikesh.
