Rishikesh : Gateway To The Himalayas. Review on Rishikesh

Located at the foothills of the shivaliks, Rishikesh is one of the most popular pilgrim centres in India.Visiting Rishikesh is a heavenly experience in itself.You could feel your spirits soaring once you are into the town.Constant chanting of prayers,sounds of sankh and bells and smell of dhoop and agarbattis(scented sticks) will make you feel as if you are in the land of gods.

There are many Ashrams in Rishikesh most of them in Muni ki Reti which is some two three Kms from the town on the Rishikesh-Shrinagar(Uttaranchal) highway which is the principal route to the sacred himalayan shrines of Badrinath,Kedarnath,Gangotri and Yamunotri.Located at a height of about 1360 ft above the sea level,Rishikesh is believed to be the place where Lord Vishnu vanquished the demon Madhu. It is believed that several yogis and sages lived and practised penance here.

The flow of the river goddess Ganga is very gentle in Rishikesh pretty much in contrast to the turbulent flow at Haridwar.It looks as if the goddess is resting after her tiring journey through the Himalayas.And there to mark her entry into the plains and to welcome her is the Laxman Jhoola;a suspension bridge over the holy river built in 1939 which vibrates gently.Luxman jhoola is one of the highlights of Rishikesh and so is the only temple in India dedicated solely to god Laxman.This temple is on one side of the jhoola and on the other side are two huge temples build by the Swargashram and the Geeta Bhavan ashrams. Feeding the fishes in the waters of ganges from atop the Laxman jhoola is a customary practise and so is that of taking a dip in the holy river. Apart from being a pilgrimage centre Rishikesh provides you with ample opportunities for adventure sports like Trekking and River Rafting.

The climate of Rishikesh is usually pleasant except in the winters when it becomes very cold.Rishikesh is connected to Delhi and Haridwar by road.Nearest railhead is Haridwar which is only 24 kms away.

Such is the aura of Rishikesh that even the Beatles visited the town.The freshness of the air, and sound of flowing water, the scenic beauty of the region and the distant sound of bell chimes create an unforgettable experience for those that visit this ancient pilgrimage town.