Rishikesh is a small town in the Dehradun district near Haridwar in Uttarakhand, situated at the foothills of the Himalayas at the confluence of the Ganga and Chandrabhaga rivers. It is also known as Hrishikesh. It is known for its adventure activities, ancient temples, popular cafes, and “Yoga Capital”. The gateway to the Garhwal Himalayas, Rishikesh is a popular pilgrimage site and one of the holiest places for Hindus. Located on the banks of the river Ganga, It has developed into a center of many ashrams, cultivating spirituality, yoga, meditation, and Ayurveda. Since it is a religious city, non-vegetarian food and alcohol are strictly forbidden here. In the first week of March, an international yoga festival is organized here which invites yoga people from all over the world.
It’s divided into two main areas – the downtown area known as Rishikesh town which is where the popular Triveni Ghat is situated. 2 km upstream from the popular Ram Jhula and Lakshman Jhula is the other side of this where most of the popular ashrams, cafes, accommodation, and tourists can be found. Haridwar and Rishikesh are the first Indian cities to be given the title of “Twin National Heritage Cities”.
