About Rishikesh India

Ram Jhula is a famous landmark place in Rishikesh city. It is an iron suspension bridge over holy river Ganga. Ram Jhula has the length of 450 feet connecting Shivananda Ashram with Swargashram. Ram Jhula also offers a panoramic view of river Ganga and Rishikesh city having number of temples.

Ram Jhula was built by PWD with the help of Shivananda Ashram in 1980. Previously it was a hanging jute ropeway bridge without any pillars. Ram Jhula has attractions like Shivananda Ashram, Swargashram, Beatles Ashram, Yog Niketan, Parmarth Niketan, Geeta Bhawan and many more holy places. There are markets on both sides of the Ram Jhula.

Ram Jhula is located in Rishikesh city and one can reach here by sharing auto. Nearest railway station to reach Ram Jhula is Rishikesh railway station (3 kms) and airport at Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun (22 kms).

The holy Ganges is worshipped at various ghats in Rishikesh among which the Ganga Aarti at Parmarth Niketan and Triveni Ghat are distinctively famous.

Ganga aarti is a pleasant ritual of worshipping the Ganga. Lots of people visit the Ganga aarti everyday at 06:00 pm - 07:00 pm (Daily). It is beautiful to see so many diyas floating in the Ganges. In Rishikesh, at evening you can find many priest offering aarti to Ganges, but the most famous place for Ganga Aarti is Parmarth Niketan Ashram. It is famous for its Ganga Aarti at dusk among tourists as well as devotees.

It is organized and performed by Vedic priest, particularly the children who are studying about the Vedas there. Aarti starts with chanting of some mantras, singing of bhajans, prayers, and sacred ritual that take place around a fire, with the aid made to Agni, the god of fire. The fire spreads the positivity in the surroundings. You can sit calmly and fold your hands or join the singing Bhajans with them. Daily many pilgrims visit the Ganga aarti.

Visit the Kunjapuri Temple at sunrise for panoramic views of the Himalayas in the distance and the Ganga River below. On the five mile trek down, pass through local villages and farms.

Kunjapuri Devi Temple is sacred temple of immense importance in Hindu religion. Located at an height of 1676 mtrs on a hill in Uttarakhand. Kunjapuri Devi Temple also offers panoramic views of snow capped mountains and peaks such as Swarga Rohini, Gangotri, Banderpunch and Chaukhamba.

Kunjapuri Devi Temple recieves devotees from far away places and during Navratri and Dussehra Festival, a grand celebration held at the temple. Kunjapuri Devi Temple is also completes the triangle of three Siddha Peeths lying on top of mountains in Tehri Garhwal district. Kunja Puri-Surkanda Devi-Chandrabadni makes the the triangle of Siddha Peeths.

There are 80 steep steps to reach out the main shrine of Kunjapuri Devi Temple from the road. Kunjapuri Devi Temple is situated at top of a hill and has a beautiful temple complex.

Vashistha Cave or Vashistha Gufa is an ancient cave where great Sage Vashistha meditated. As per Hindu mythology, Sage Vashistha was a manas putra (human son) of Lord Brahma and one of the seven great sages (Saptarishi). Located at 25 km from Rishikesh in Badrinath road, Vashistha Cave is popular among visitors comes for deep meditation in Rishikesh. Vashistha Gufa has a Shivlinga in it and near the Vashistha Cave there a Swami Purshottamanand Ashram which manages the cave.

According to Hindu mythology, after the death of all children of Sage Vashistha, he decided to suicide in river Ganga. But Goddess Ganaga refused his suicide. Then Sage Vashistha's wife decided to stay at the same location due to pleasant environment. Sage Vashistha meditated here for long time in a cave. With the passing time a small ashram was developed near the cave.

Vashistha Cave is located at 25 kms from Rishikesh on Badrinath road in Swami Purshottamanand Ashram. One can reach at Vashistha Gufa by hiring taxi or by bus from Rishikesh bus stand. Nearest railway station to reach Vashistha Cave is Rishikesh railway station (25 kms) and airport at Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun (39 kms).

In the suburban alleys of Rishikesh, there is an erstwhile ashram of late Guru Maharishi Mahesh Yogi also known as the Beatles Ashram where the Fab-four attended a session of transcendental meditation. It was here that the English rock band composed over 50 songs during their stay in 1968.

The façade and walls of the Chaurasi Kutia also known as ‘The Beatles Ashram’ are dominated by the murals of John Lennon and other band members, luring music lovers from all over the globe, to visit this place. One can see the vandalized buildings, graffiti art and other floral patterns illegally painted by the visitors in the Mahesh Yogi Ashram.

Since the Chaurasi Kutiya aka Beatles Ashram falls under the Rajaji Tiger Reserve, the visitors are asked to pay A minimal entry fees of Rs 150 for Indian visitors and Rs 600 for the foreign nationals.