Every year, people from around the world flock the small spiritual town of Rishikesh in India. They are fascinated by its beauty of nature, religious essence, and yoga influence. Dwelling in the Dehradun district of Uttarakhand, Rishikesh quenches the adventure thirst of enthusiasts as well. Residing in the foothills of the Himalayas, this revered destination of Hindus is not particularly a hill station. It’s, in fact, a town flourishing on the banks of river Ganga. Derived from the name of a great Hindu deity, Vishnu, it translates to the “lord of the senses”.
CLIMATE
Being resting in the proximity of Himalayas, it enjoys similar but mild climate conditions. The summers prevail in the city from March to June when the temperature rises to a maximum of 38 degrees Celsius. Since it can be a bit sweaty, you should wear cotton clothes during this period. However, despite what season is going on, the evenings are mildly cool and provide a break from the Sun. July is the monsoon season, which actually hits the city heavily. During July and August, the authorities shut the rafting adventure for that can be extremely risky. But then the winters start from November and last till February. The temperature, during these months, ranges between 2-20 degrees Celsius.
BEST TIME TO VISIT
A trip to this amazing city should be avoided during monsoon, otherwise is a paradise one can explore throughout the year. This place is full of scenic beauty when it rains but can be highly prone to hazards like landslide and floods. From September to February, it enjoys a cool atmosphere, which fits best for a tour. You can stay engaged in the tour without a scorching sun over the head and risks of heavy rainfall.
THINGS TO DO/ ATTRACTIONS TO VISIT
Being a prominent religious spot, Rishikesh is mostly visited by Hindu devotees in large numbers. After it got its name known in the world when the famous band, The Beatles, visited the city in the 70s, people began to visit the Ashrams and the holy Ghats for yoga and meditation. Apart from health and fitness and religious gems, this town is popular for rafting and bungee jumping as well. You can go camping on one of those sandy beaches located on the shore of the river Ganga. Trekking, rock climbing, biking, rappelling, and cliff jumping are among other common sports that adventurists seek to perform here. Serving its primary spiritual purpose, the town beholds several religious attractions, including Triveni Ghat, Lakshman Jhoola, Beatles Ashram, Ayurveda Mandir, and Trayambakeshwar Temple.
HOW TO REACH
Rishikesh is well-connected with all the major cities within Uttarakhand and in India. It is located near Dehradun airport, which connects it to all the major cities around the country, including Delhi. From Delhi, a road trip to Rishikesh takes approximately 6-7hours. The roads are also well-paved so, you can hire a bus, car, taxi, bike, etc., whatever you want. The rail route to the city is also seamless as several trains ply between different states and Rishikesh every day.
ACCESSIBILITY AND ACCOMMODATION
Sometime, you would want to access some attractions via an auto-rickshaw, other times, you can just walk and explore every corner of the city precisely. Being a popular tourist destination, it has several accommodation options as well. From budget to mid-range, there are stay facilities for every pocket. Even you can look for luxury bookings near the famous Lakshman Jhoola if you can splurge a little extra.
Rishikesh tourism is worth your time and money, so don’t miss out on this majesty on your next trip. It’s an easy-to-go trip that can be undertaken during the weekends and can still be unraveled fully.