Country India University All India Institute of Medical Sciences Rishikesh Languages spoken Hindi, Sanskrit Area 11.5 km2 | State Uttarakhand District Dehradun Literacy 86.86% | |
Points of interest Ram Jhula, Lakshman Jhula, Triveni Ghat, Neelkanth Mahadev Temple, Rajaji National Park | ||
Rishikesh (Hindi: ; Sanskrit: ) is a city, municipal board and a tehsil in Dehradun district of the Indian state, Uttarakhand. Located in the foothills of the Himalayas in northern India, it is known as The Gateway to the Garhwal Himalayas. and yoga capital. Rishikesh is surrounded by three other districts namely Tehri Garhwal, Pauri Garhwal and Haridwar. It is located approximately 25 km north of the city Haridwar and 43 km south-east of the state capital Dehradun. According to Census of India, 2011 Rishikesh had a population of 102,138 making it the 7th largest city also being largest municipal board in the state of Uttarakhand. It is known as the holy town and regarded as one of the holiest places to Hindus. Sages and saints have visited Rishikesh since ancient times to meditate in search of higher knowledge.
Contents
- Map of Rishikesh
- Best of rishikesh india top sights
- Bungy jumping in india best place is rishikesh
- History
- Geography
- Adventure sports food and more in rishikesh
- Macaroni recipe spiciest macaroni ever chinese food at rishikesh
- References
Map of Rishikesh
Best of rishikesh india top sights
Bungy jumping in india best place is rishikesh
History
Rishikesh has been a part of the legendary Kedarkhand (the present day Garhwal). Legends state that Lord Rama did penance here for killing Ravana, the demon king of Lanka; and Lakshmana, his younger brother, crossed the river Ganges, at a point, where the present Lakshman Jhula (??????? ????) bridge stands today, using a jute rope bridge. The Kedar Khand of Skanda Purana, also mentions the existence of Indrakund at this very point. The jute-rope bridge was replaced by iron-rope suspension bridge in 1889, and after it was washed away in the 1924 floods, it was replaced by the present stronger bridge. Another similar suspension bridge Ram Jhula was built in 1986 at nearby Shivananda Nagar.
The sacred river Ganges flows through Rishikesh. It is here that the river leaves the Shivalik mountains in the Himalayas and flows out into the plains of northern India. Several temples, ancient as well as new, can be found along the banks of the Ganges in Rishikesh. Shatrughna Mandir, Bharat Mandir, Lakshman Mandir are the ancient temples established by Adi Shankaracharya. Shatrughna Temple is located near Ram Jhula and Lakshman Mandir is near to Lakshman Jhula.
As with Haridwar about an hour south, Rishikesh is considered by Hindus to be a holy city and is vegetarian by law. Meat and alcohol are not served within the city. Cows roam freely in the streets and always have the right of way if they stop traffic.
Geography
Rishikesh is located at 30.103368°N 78.294754°E? / 30.103368; 78.294754. It has an average elevation of 372 metres (1,745 feet).
The Tehri Dam is just 80 km uphill on the way to Gangotri. Rishikesh is the starting point for travelling to the four Chota Char Dham pilgrimage places — Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri, and Yamunotri. Rishikesh is also famous for ayurvedic treatments. Many ayurveda centre are run where ayurvedic classes are given by ayurvedic doctors.
According to Koppen-Geiger climate classification system, its climate is humid subtropical (Cwa).
Despite the pollution of the Ganges, the water in Rishikesh is relatively unaffected by the pollution as the major polluting points are down the course of the river in the neighbouring state of Uttar Pradesh.