7 best places to visit in Rishikesh

Located near the foot of the Himalayas in the Indian state of Uttrakhand, Rishikesh is the 7th largest city in India. It is also called as the “Gateway to the Garhawl Himalayas”. The town is a famous tourist spot and also a major pilgrimage spot for the Hindus. The River Ganges flows through the town of Rishikesh and it is famous for its various shrines and yoga ashrams. Rishikesh also is among the few places in India that offers a multitude of adventure sports to its visitors. With the city of Haridwar only a few miles south from rishikesh, the place is also considered as a ‘holy city’ and is vegetarian. Here is a list of top 7 places to visit in Rishikesh:

• Lakshman Jhula:
  This is a suspension bridge in Rishikesh With a length of 450 feet and at a height of around 70 feet from the river. According to Hinduism, this bridge is built in the same place, where Lakshmana once crossed the river Ganges on a jute rope, thus making this another important pilgrim attraction.
• Mahadev Temple:
  This is one of the most important shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva in the Republic of India. In Hindu mythology, the temple stands at the exact spot where lord Shiva drank the Venom ‘halahala’ that originated after the churning of the ocean by the Devas and Asuras in order to obtain the Amrita or the elixir of life.
• Parmarth Niketan:
  This was founded in 1942 by Pujya Swami Shukdevanand Ji Maharaj. Parmarth Niketan is an ashram located in Rishikesh. It’s the largest ashram in rishikesh with over a thousand rooms. Parmarth Niketan provides its thousands of pilgrims – who come from all corners of the Earth – with a clean, pure and sacred atmosphere as well as abundant, beautiful gardens.
• Rajaji National Park:
  It represents one of India’s oldest ecosystem. It is Uttarakhand’s second tiger reserve and its unique location makes it an ideal location for some breathtaking flora too.The dense forests house a plethora of animals ranging from Bengal Tigers to Sloth bears and a trip down here would satisfy all wildlife enthusiasts.
• Narendra Nagar:
  Located at a distance of 20 kilometres from rishikesh, Narendra Nagar lies in the Tehri Garhawl district of Uttrakhand and is situated at a height of 1,326 meters above sea level. The town came into existence 1919, when the Tehri Garhawl ruler Maharaja Narendra shah moved his capital to the picturesque location of Odathali or Narendra nagar.”
• The Swarg Ashram:
  It covers the whole area between the ram and the Laxman Jhula and was built in the memory of Saint Swami Vishudhanand. It’s a perfect place for people who seek solitude in this holy city. You can sit and meditate for hours near the private river banks which are totally devoid of any rituals found at the rest of the banks or just sit watching the sun rise from the Shivaliks, setting fire to the cold, glistening waters of Ganga.
• Shivpuri:
  This is situated on the banks of the river Ganges and is named after a temple here dedicated to Lord Shiva. In the recent years, this place has become famous for water adventure sports-especially white water rafting. A visit here is recommended to experience the mighty river Ganga at its most beautiful form.