
RISHIKESH TOURISM | TOURIST PLACES TO VISIT & TOUR PACKAGES
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About Rishikesh
#3 of 17 Places to visit in Uttarakhand | #23 of 100 Places to visit in India
Ideal Trip Duration: 1-2 Days
Nearest City to Rishikesh: Dehradun (42 Kms), Delhi City (233 Kms)
Best Time to Visit Rishikesh: September to November & March to May
Peak Season: October & April to June
State: Uttarakhand | District: Dehradun
At a distance of 26 km from Haridwar, 42 km from Dehradun, 74 km from Mussoorie, 201 km from Chandigarh and 233 km from Delhi, Rishikesh is a holy city on the banks of the River Ganges and is located in the foothills of the Himalayas. It is one of the top pilgrimage sites in India and among the best places to visit near Delhi. It is also a popular 2 day trip from Delhi and is also base for several trekking trails in Uttarakhand state.
Rishikesh is the gateway to the upper Garhwal region and the starting point for the Char Dham pilgrimage (Gangotri, Yamunotri, Badrinath and Kedarnath). Rishikesh is situated at an elevation of 356 m above sea level and consists of three distinct areas known as Rishikesh, Swargashram and Muni Ki Reti. Rishikesh has been a part of the legendary Kedarkhand (the present day Garhwal). As per the Skanda Purana, Lord Vishnu appeared here to Raibhya Rishi as Hrishikesh, which means the God of Senses. Rishikesh is one of the top attractions you must include in Mussoorie packages.
Rishikesh attracts huge number of tourists and pilgrims from all parts of the country to offer their prayers at this holy site. Rishikesh has several famous ashrams and temples. Triveni Ghat, Neel Kanth Mahadev Temple, Swarganiwas Temple and Bharat Mandir are the important pilgrimage sites in Rishikesh.
Rishikesh is now world famous as a Yoga Capital of the World. Every year during the February month one week long International Yoga Festival is hosted here. Rishikesh is also popular among adventure tourists as it offers several activities like mountain biking, bungee jumping and white water rafting.
Jolly Grant Airport at Dehradun is the nearest airport, which is about 16 km from Haridwar. It is well connected by flight with Delhi. Rishikesh Railway Station is well connected by train with Delhi, Haridwar, Bandikudi and Mata Vaishno Devi Katra. Rishikesh can also be reached by bus from Dehradun, Haridwar and New Delhi.
The best time to visit Rishikesh for River Rafting is from October to mid November, and the best time for regular visit is between March and May.
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