Rishikesh:-
It is a city and a municipal board in Dehradun district now in the Indian state of Uttarakhand. Located in the foothills of the Himalayas in northern India, it is known as The Gateway to the Garhwal Himalayas.Rishikesh is surrounded by three other districts namely Tehri Garhwal, Pauri Garhwal and Haridwar. It is located approximately 20 km north of the holy city Haridwar.
Rishikesh is also the known as Gateway to the Himalayas. A sacred town at the convergence of rivers Ganges and Chandrabhaga, Rishikesh is a naturally attractive place at the foothills of the lower Himalayas in
History of Rishikesh:-
Going by the etymology, the sound of the name of the place in itself acts like an ablution for souls. Pronounced as ‘Hrishikesh’, the word breaks into ‘Hrishik’ meaning senses and ‘Ish’ meaning Master,
It is associated with Ram. According to legend, hare he came on the advice of sage Vasishtha to do penance for killing Ravana. the king of Lanka. There are scores of ancient temples and ashrams affording spiritual solace to pilgrims, the important among them being temple of Bharata Pushkar temple, Shatrughan temple, Lahkhsmana temple, Geeta Bhawan and the Punjab Kshetra. Rishikesh, also known as the “place of sagas” is a spiritual town situated 24 kms upstream from Haridwar, at the confluence of the Chandrabhaga and Ganga. It is believed that God by the name of “Hrishikesh” had appeared as an answer to the hard penances by Rabhiya Rishi and henceforth the place derived its name.Another legend says that fierce fire broke out here. Lord Shankar was angry with Lord Agni and cursed him. Then Lord Agni prayed here for the expiation of his sins. Hence it is also known as Agni Tirth – The holy place to penance of Lord Agni or Fire God.
It is the starting point for the Char Dham pilgrimage and an ideal destination not only for pilgrims but also for the people who are interested in medtation, yoga and other aspects of Hinduism.
Temples in Rishikesh:-
Legend of Neelkanth Mahadev Mandir :-
According to Hindu mythology it was the place where Shiva drank up the venom (which emanated during the ' Samudra Manthan') churned out of the ocean, to save the world from the evil, death and destruction. It is said that Lord Shiva had the immense capacity to stop the venom from entering his body and thus reserved it in his throat forever. The poison did not harm him but turned his throat murky blue, thus giving Shiva the name of Neelkanth. It is believed that the event occurred here in this place where the temple is located.
The temple of Neelkanth Mahadev is situated at a distance of 12 km from Rishikesh among the snow capped mountains and forests. Rishikesh holds immense importance in the religious lives of devout Hindus.
Bharat Mandir:-
The temple has been named after Lord Ram's second brother ‘Bharat'; however the presiding deity of this temple is Lord Vishnu, ‘the Preserver'.
The statue of God Narayana (Vishnu), enshrined in Bharat mandir, is of black stone, carved out from a single piece of Saligram. The image has a noticeably Himalayan appearance. Though the temple's main deity is Lord Vishnu, it holds a number of other illustrations as well, generally related to Lord Shiva, the Destroyer. The idol of Lord Hrishikesh Bharatji is also installed in this temple. The idol was obscured in the Maya Kund of the temple, in order to save it from the attack of the Boddha people.
Every year, on the day of Basant Panchami, the idol of Lord Hrishikesh is taken out, in a holy procession, for a dip in the sacred water of river Ganga.
Kunjapuri Devi temple:-
Kunjapuri Devi temple is considered as one of the 52 Shaktipeeth / Shaktipeetha/ Shaktipeetham .Kunja Puri, one of the thitrteen most important Goddesses of Shivalik range , the lower Himalayas.One can witness
excellent sunrise or sun set on the Greater Hiamalayan Peaks and the vast Indo Gangetic plains . One can see almost all the peaks of Garhwal Himalayas from here e.g Banderpunch ,Swarga Rohini , Gangotri ,Chaukhamba .
Surkanda Devi:-Situated at an elevation of 3030 mts above sea level near village Kaddukhal the temple of Surkanda Devi is 33 kms from Kaddukhal and one has to trek about 2 kms. The temple of Surkanda Devi is situated on the top of the mountain and is of great religious significance. A fair is held every year on “Ganga Dussehra” during May-June in which thousands of people participate.
Triveni Ghat :-
Thousands of Devotees take a holy dip bath and and enjoy the Maha Aarti being performed daily in the morning and evening time respectively. Triveni Ghat is a well known bathing ghat of Rishikesh, is a
confluence of three sacred rivers that are Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati. According to the beliefs, a dip in water at this ghat washes away all the sins and purifies the soul.
Shri Triyambakeshwara Temple:-
Lord Shiva is believed to have manifested himself as one of the 12 twelve Jyotirlinga by the name Trayambakeshwara, which means ‘Three Eyed One’ referring to the Lord with three eyes, i.e. Shiva. Placed on the banks of River Ganga, temple leaves devotees with a calm mind not possible everywhere.
Hanuma Mandir:-Hanuman Mandir (Temple) located at Maya Kund,Another important Hanuman Temple is at Sivanandnagar. Other important temples in Rishikesh include the Pushkar Temple, the Venketshwara Temple and the two 'modern' temples across the Ganga at Lakshman Jhoola. One of these temples is an imposing 13-storeyed structure with many smaller temples in each storey.
A temple which has come up on the right bank of Ganga has arguably the world's biggest Shiva Lingam.
Raghunath Mandir:-
Raghunath Mandir (Temple) near by Triveni Ghat, It is the most important places for religious ceremonies in Rishikesh. It is believed that the Ganga is joined here by the Yamuna and the Saraswati Rivers. Geographically, however, the Yamuna joins the Ganga in Allahabad. The dusk Aarti on the Triveni Ghat is most impressive.
"Siva lingam on the bank of river is most beautiful. The Ganges flow from that lingam.It is near to Chinna jeer Ashram."
Ganga Aarti in Rishikesh:-
Aarti in Trivani Ghat:-
The Aarti ceremony at Trivani Ghat takes place daily at dusk. An Awe-inspiring sight, when flame of belief illuminates the entire environment and the mind and body rejuvenated by the hymns recited in praise of the Ganges. Devotees release flower-filled leaf boats carrying tiny oil lamps and let them float out on the river, which is the ceremony of worship, rememberance and hope.Aarti in Parmarth Niketan Ashram:-
The ritual begins with singing of the devotional songs (bhajans) and prayers. After that a hawan is performed, which signifies offerings to the fire god- Agni. Then, all the lamps in the ashram are lit with the aarti as the final part of the entire ceremony. Besides this, the children sing softly along with the Parmarth ashram’s
The Aarti is performed daily so that visitors and devotees are relieved from their strains and normal stress of everyday life. The main aim of the event is to meet together in peace, reverence and joy.
Rishikund:-Close to Trivenighat is the most ancient place, the Rishikund. Anciant records relate this to Kubz Saint , who was blessed by the Goddess Yamuna by saturating this pond by its water.The pond reflects the temple of Ragunath , deidicated to lord Rama and his wife.
Ram Jhoola:-
A suspension bridge between the Shivanand Ashram and Swargashram. It provides an alternative to a boat ride from one bank of the Ganga to another.
Lakshman Jhula:-
Lakshman Jhula is one of the most sightseeing thing in and around Rishikesh. The Laxman Jhula is Constructed over Ganga River. It is Said that the Lakshman Jhula was built in 1939 after Lord Laxman crossed the Ganga river after killing Ravana. There are spectacular views from the bridge.
Devprayag:-
Devprayag is significant as one of the five sacred confluences in the hills, and the site is hailed as a place of considerable natural forces as well as spiritual forces. A Tour to Devprayag will introduce you to this holy
town, which essentially marks the beginning of the sacred Ganges River.
Ashram's in Rishikesh:-
Vashisht Cave:-
This ancient cave is situated at a distance of 25kms from Rishikesh on the road Devprayag.This cave is the
place of penance by sage Vashisht.
Swarg Ashram:-
The ‘Heavenly Abode’ is known for being the very place where all the rishi and sages have prayed and performed penance and meditation to get a glimpse of God. Situated amidst Mother Nature, the place is a divine invitation in itself.
Sivananda Ashram:-
Sivananda Ashram at Rishikesh is the headquarters of the Divine Life Society, a worldwide organization. Swami Sivananda founded the ashram in the year 1932. Initially a small structure, Sivananda Ashram has now evolved into a huge complex with a number of halls, a temple and Gurudev's Kutir. Any person inclined towards spirituality can join this ashram and spend his life in the service of others.
Omkarananda Ashram:-
Omkarananda Ashram , run by a group of Sanyasis (sages) and located at a place Muni-Ke-Reti the bank of river Ganges,
Omkarananda Ashram Himalayas is a spiritually focused non-political, scientific, cultural, educational, humanitarian, Charitable Trust, which persistently strives to provide untiring selfless service for spiritual enhancement and to create an infinite source of happiness and bliss through God realization in daily life.The Ashram was established by Sage and Philosopher Swami Omkarananda who is an embodiment of highest spirituality, with the prime objective to love, serve and help all equally.
Gita Bhawan:-
Gita Bhawan is situated on the banks of the holy river Ganges, amidst the Himalayan mountains at Swargashram, Rishikesh. It consists of a very large complex comprising discourse halls and over 1000 rooms available free of charge for the stay of devotees. Regular discourses are organised. A large number of
The ancient Banyan tree within the complex deserves mention. It has been a site for penance of various saints like Swami Ramtirth. Presently, the tree and the surrounding woods on the banks of the Ganges, offer many quiet and peaceful spots for sadhana and meditation. Two well-built bathing-ghats in front of Gita Bhawan 1 and 3 provide young and old, the opportunity for a holy dip in the Ganges.
Kaudiyala :-
Nestled amongst the dense forests on the Rishikesh-Badrinath route at an altitude of 480 m, Kaudiyala is a centre for adventure/water sports, particularly white water rafting. There is also ample opportunity to view
wildlife in its natural habitat.
Route to Rishikesh: -
Rishikesh is just 24 Kms from Haridwar.
Air :-
The nearest airport to Rishikesh is Jolly Grant. This small airport is situated at a distance of about 24 km from the main Rishikesh town. However, air is not the preferred mode of transport for getting into the town. Reach Delhi International airport in India and take a train or bus route to Rishikesh.
Rail :-
Rishikesh is well connected with all the major towns and cities of India though some of the links can only be accessed from Haridwar.
Road :-
Rishikesh is 6 hours (250 kms) by bus from Delhi. Buses depart regularly throughout the day from ISBT. Rishikesh is very well connected by a network of roads to all major towns of Uttaranchal and surrounding areas.
Shopping in Rishikesh: -
Being a pilgrimage place, the glamour of big shop bargains are absent but Rishikesh offers you handicraft items made of shells, beads and pearls. Sarees, kurtas, sheets and rugs can be purchased from here. You can buy these items from the government approved U.P handloom shop, Khadi Bhandar, Garhwal wool and craft shop etc.
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