Places to visit in Rishikesh

When you travel to Rishikesh, you will love to visit popular tourist spots and enjoy the local culture. Amongst other Things to do in Rishikesh, you can surely explore some of the best things to do in Rishikesh to make your trip a fulfilling one. On a trip to Rishikesh things to do can include exploring Rishikesh attractions and visiting the places of interest.

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Camp Gold Coast

The Royal Palace

Narendra Nagar is a small village about 15 kilometres from Rishikesh and has a lot of historical importance. The Royal Palace of the King of Tehri Garhwal, Narendra Shah is a major attraction. The palace was built in 1919 and is pretty famous for its architecture.

Laxman Jhula and Ram Jhula

These two bridges on the River Ganga are so famous that they have become the symbol of the town of Rishikesh. Your Rishikesh travel would be incomplete without visiting these two architectural wonders. The bridges also have religious significance.

Gita Bhavan

There are no big Museums in Rishikesh. You could visit Gita Bhavan, which has been doing an excellent job of preserving and displaying the ancient Hindu scriptures like the Vedas,epics and puranas.They also have on display some fine artwork and statues of Gods and Goddesses.If you have time, do go to the Indian Military Academy Museum in Dehradun.

Parks and Gardens

There are no major parks and gardens in Rishikesh, however you can ask for guidance from the locals and explore the local parks in the city.

Natural Attractions

Rishikesh has been blessed with abundant natural beauty. The ghats, River Ganges and the mystical mountains in the backdrop make Rishikesh a beautiful place. Besides, these there are several places like the Valley of Flowers, Rishikund, Patna Waterfall, Kaudiyala and Shivkashi,within a short distance of Rishikesh, which can be visited if you would like to explore places with natural beauty.

Cultural Attractions

Rishikesh is full of cultural attractions. The city is a major centre for showcasing the Indian traditions, cultures and values. The Maha Aarti at Triveni Ghat, which is held at in the evenings attract a lot of tourists and pilgrims alike. Also worth mentioning is the Neelkanth Mahadev Mela which is celebrated annually by the devotees of Lord Shiva in Rishikesh. Rishikesh also hosts the International Yoga and Music Festival, which is celebrated annually between 1st and 14th of November by Bhuvan Chandra Music School. There is another International Yoga Week that is held in the month of February every year.

Relaxation

Meditation and Yoga classes are available abundantly in Rishikesh. Some of the popular places to learn and practice both Yoga and meditation are Nada Yoga School, Association for Yoga and Meditation, Rishikesh Yoga Dham and Vinyasa Yoga School. In case its Ayurvedic massages you crave for, then try Ayurveda Nirvana for excellent massages and for learning as well.

The Fun Valley

Rishikesh does not have a lot to offer to the children. Most children would not have a lot of interest in visiting the religious places and most of the adventure sports are a little dangerous for the smaller children. Theirs is however, The Fun Valley in Dehradun, with a theme based amusement park. The park is extremely popular amongst the children in the area.

Shivkashi

Rishikesh is a haven for tourists seeking adventure and thrill from their vacations. The multitude of activities that one can enjoy atRishikesh surpasses most of the Indian holiday destinations. You can try white water rafting in the rapid waters of Ganges at places like Shivkashi. You could even experience rappelling, rock climbing, kayaking, bungee jumping and cliff jumping in Rishikesh. There are some excellent camping sites and trekking routes near Rishikesh for people who would like to move up and about.

Pundir General Store

Although there are no major departmental stores in Rishikesh, you would find most of the things you need from the street markets and various shops around Rishikesh.Pundir General Store is one such shop, which you could visit. For serious shopping its advisable you should visit Dehradun

Dishes

Almost restaurants in Rishikesh serve vegetarian food because non-vegetarian is banned in Rishikesh. Most of the joints serve North Indian delicacies and cuisine. Continental, Nepali and Chinese food is also available at some places. You could try the Thalis with an assortment of dishes or street food like samosas, kachoris, imarti, jalebi and stuffed paranthas in Rishikesh. There are also places, which serve organic and Ayurvedic health food, for those who are conscious of what they eat and would like to try something different.

Clubs and Discos

There are no clubs and discos in Rishikesh. Partying and nightlife is limited to bonfires in the camps. You could head towards Dehradun or Delhi to find good discotheques and nightclubs.

Bars and Pubs

Alcohol is banned in Rishikesh because it is a holy city. You could either carry your own alcohol or head towards Dehradun to find decent bars and pubs.