Rishikesh
(IPLTOURS)
The Char Dham Yatra or Manasarovar Yatra or to visit any shrine in the Himalayas has to be started from Haridwar or Rishikesh. Rishikesh is located at a distance of 30 km from Hariwar. Hardiwar and Rishikesh are well connected by rail to all the major cities of the country. The main shrines visited during the Char Dham Yatra are Gangotri, Yamunotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath which are open only for six months in the year i.e. from May to November. The temples will be closed due to extreme cold due to heavy snowfall for the rest of six months from December to May. The weather from May to August is pleasant for pilgrimage. Pilgrims can travel with casual clothes in this time. September to November the atmosphere will be cold with rains. Pilgrims should wear woolen clothes and shoes during the period. Datta Peeth is located in Rishikesh and accomodation with dining facilities can be availed by contacting in advance.
Pilgrims can travel easy with getting accommodation. There are several ashrams along with Dattapeeth. Frequent transportation of auto/bus/taxi is available to Rishikesh from Haridwar. The following temples and places are important to visit in Rishikesh.
Triveni Ghat
Triveni Ghat is located on the banks of river Ganga in the center of Rishikesh town. Pilgrims take bath in the Ganga at the morning and visit the temples. Thousands of pilgrims take bath on Dasara, Ekadashi and full moon days. Apart from worshipof deities, pilgrims pour food and milk to the fish in the water. Like Varanasi (Kashi) and Haridwar, Ganga Harathi will be performed every day from 6 pm to 7 pm with various instruments and drums. Devotees can calmly watch the Arati or they may chant the hymns along with the local devotees. Lighting will be provided to the Arati and very comfortable for vision.
Swarga Ashram
This Swarga ashram is located close to the Triveni Ghat. It is very ancient and yoga meditation will be taught here. It takes about two hours to see the entire ashram. There is no entrance fee and it is open in all days.
Parmarth Niketan Ashram
This is the oldest large monastery in Rishikesh. The Ashram was established in the year 1942 by Poojya Swamiji Yogananda Maharaj. There are about 1000 rooms for pilgrims to stay here. Ancient Ayurvedic medicine is practiced here along with yoga and meditation. From here one can go to Ganga Arati and enjoy the sunset. The climate is serene with beautiful gardens in Parmardha Niketan. Ganga Arati is offered every day like in Triveni Ghat. This Arati is pleasant to watch as it is commissioned by the students studying Vedas in this ashram. Viewers can calmly watch this Arati or sung along with local devotees.
Shivpuri
Shivpuri is located on the banks of the Ganges at a distance of 19 km from Rishikesh. The ancient Shiva temple is located here and in recent times Shivpuri has become a hub for boating on the Ganges. There will be a fee for the boating.
Bharat Mandir
Bharat Mandir is nearer to the Triveni Ghat. In the 9th century Adi Sankaracharya established here the idol of Lord Vishnumurthy on one stone (saligramm). This temple was destroyed in the year 1398. The temple is so beautiful to visit on Basant Panchami.
Rishi Kund and Raghunath Mandir
Near Triveni Ghat, there is an ancient kund filled with the blessings of the river Yamuna by sage Kubja. This is called the Rishi Kund. The Raghunath Mandir, also known as the Sita Ram Temple, is located here.
Lakshman Jula
Lakshman Jhula is a 450 meter long suspension bridge built two kilometers away from the Swarga Ashram in the year 1923 on the banks of the river Ganga in the memory of Lakshman brother of Sri Ram. At present, the bridge has been closed and the ingress and egress of traffic through the bridge prohibited as it is in a dilapidated condition. Currently only pedestrians and two-wheelers are allowed on the bridge. There are several temples on either side of this bridge.
Triambakeswar Temple
Triambakeshwar Temple is a Hindu temple in Rishikesh and is one of the holy shrines of Rishikesh. The temple is present near to the Lakshman Jhula of Rishikesh and represents the name of Triambakeswar in Nasik of Maharastra. Triambameswar is one among the twelve Jyotir Ling of Lord Shiva. The temple is 13 stair building and popularly called as ‘Terah Manzil Temple’. The temple is having various idols of Hindu Gods and Goddesses. However, the shrine is mainly dedicated to Lord Shiva. The name ‘Triambakeswar’ suggest it as the abode of Lord Shiva. The temple kept open from morning 6-00 AM to evening 7-00 PM.
Ram Jula and Geetha Bhavan
Ram Jhula Bridge, built in the year 1983, is located 3 km north to Rishikesh. The Ram Jhula and Laxman Jhula bridges are uniformly built with steel. Below to the Laxman Jhula Bridge there is the Ram Jhula Bridge on river Ganga connects Sivananda Ashram on the east side and Swarga Ashram on the west side. Geeta Bhavan is located here.
NeelaKanteswar Mahadev Temple
Neelakant Mahadev Temple is a very popular in Haridwar. The temple is located at an elevation of 5500 m above sea level. It is said that halahal (poision) aroused from Ksheer Sagar when the ocean brewing with Vasuki and Meru Mountain by the deities and the demons for nectar. It is said that Lord Parameswara received the halahal here and wore it in his neck. It is so the temple called with the name Nilakantha Mahadev Temple. The temple is open from 6 am to 7 pm. Admission is free.
Rajaji National Park
The Beatless Ashram is part of the park. In the year 1968, foreigners came here to listen to the prophecies of Maharshi Mahesh Yogi and to participate in yoga and meditation. Ticket for the ashram visit is Rs. 150. Apart from the temples mentioned above, Rishikesh also has the Nilagrah Water Falls which impresses the youth. Boating in river Ganga here gives a lot of enjoyment to the Youth.The nature and atmosphere appears beautiful, delightful and charming as seen from the Rishekesh Visitation Center.
