Destination guide
Rishikesh
India
Rishikesh (Hindi: ऋषिकेश, pronounced RIH-shih-kaysh), a small town in the northern Indian state of Uttarakhand, is famously known as the "yoga capital" (or "Yog Nagari"). Scenically located where the Ganges comes down from the Himalayas, Rishikesh catapulted to Western fame when the Beatles dropped by for a visit to…
AI insights
AI-written from the Wikivoyage listings, transport section and the video stats on this page
Do not expect a quick meal at the most popular cafes; establishments like Moon Dance Cafe and Ganga View Restaurant are high-demand spots where wait times are significant, so plan your dining to avoid peak hunger.
The city is split by the Ganges, and crossing between the banks is not always straightforward. Factor in the time required to walk across pedestrian bridges like Ram Jhula or Janki Setu, or the logistics of taking a ferry, rather than relying on quick vehicle transit between sides.
Attend the Ganga Aarti at Parmarth Niketan Ashram in the late afternoon or early evening. This is a central cultural experience, but arrive well ahead of the ceremony to secure a space, as it is a major focal point for both locals and visitors.
If you are targeting specific popular items, such as the spinach pie at the German Bakery in Tapovan, arrive mid-morning. These items are produced in limited quantities and routinely sell out early in the day.
When choosing your accommodation, prioritize the areas around Swarg Ashram, which is known for its concentration of temples and a healthy, satwik living environment that defines the spiritual character of the town.
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Best time to go
Best window: November–February
May, June, July and August are the months to avoid — punishing heat and very heavy rain. The window below is when it is genuinely pleasant.
Rated from ten years of daily temperature and rainfall recorded at this destination, via Open-Meteo's ERA5 reanalysis. Hover a month for its real numbers.
Getting around
On foot
Swargashram is pretty much pedestrian only, but it's compact and walkable (as is the whole of the town). To visit eastern bank of Ganges, you have to walk across Janki Setu or Ram Jhula, or take ferry from Ram Jhula.
By taxi
Near the bank of Ganges, share jeeps and taxis are available to drop visitors at Neelkantha temple and waterfall. Overall, it’s more than 16 km run by road to go from one side of river to another.
By rickshaw
Auto-rickshaws (vikrams) are useful from the bus/train stations to get around: Tapovan – ₹20 (2023), maybe ₹25 from the bus terminal
Transport notes from Wikivoyage, CC BY-SA 4.0.
What to see
Places are listed from Wikivoyage and our own sourced research. Worth it means a second, independent source names the place too; “3 sources agree” means three or more do — and each card names them, so you can check.
Lakshman Jhula area and Trayanbakshwar Temple
Worth itAlso recommended by Lonely Planet
A 13-storey temple towering over the Ganges suspension bridge, the visual anchor of Rishikesh's east bank.
Vetted sources
Swarg Ashram
Shri 108 Baba kali Kamli Wale Swami Atam Prakash Ji
Swargashram (Heavenly Abode), as the name connotes, is a beautiful place situated in picturesque surroundings at the foot of Himalayas on the left bank of the Ganges between Rishikesh and Laxman Jhula.
Vetted sources
Neelkanth Mahadev Mela
One of the most sacred temples in Rishikesh. Located on hill over Swarg Ashram at a height of 1,675 m. A religious fair is held during July–August when many disciples from different corners of India visit.
Vetted sources
Gita Bhavan
Place of Guru Shri Ram Sukh Daasji (the great thinker of his time) and popular among the Hindu Brahmin community. Twice a year people gather at this ashram to read the Ramayana together.
Vetted sources
Bharat Mandir
One of the temples set up by 'Adiguru Shankaracharya' during the 12th century. This temple is a real tribute to Vishnu, the idol of which is carved from a sole piece of Saligram.
Vetted sources
Parmarth Niketan Ashram
One of the few ashrams left in India where children get the Vedas education. A must-visit in the evening for the Pooja/Aarti, at 5PM in winter and 6PM in summer.
Vetted sources
Trayambakeshwar Temple
Laxman Jhula
It is 13 stories high, with different deities throughout.
Vetted sources
What to do
Ganga Aarti at Parmarth Niketan
Worth itAlso recommended by thrillophilia.com
A nightly riverside prayer ceremony of oil lamps, chanting, and cymbals performed on the Ganges ghats as the sun sets.
Vetted sources
White-water rafting on the Ganges
Worth itAlso recommended by Lonely Planet
Grade II-III rapids run from just outside town, the activity that made Rishikesh India's adventure-sports base as much as its yoga capital.
Vetted sources
Maayaa International Healing School
Near Dharam Raj Temple, Laxman Jhulla Road, Paurhi· Expensive
Maayaa offers sound healing, reiki, chakra healing, numerology, Tarot reading, physic counselling, aromatherapy, Kundalini meditation, dowsing, chakra balancing.
Vetted sources
Divine School of Ayurveda
Reach Dharam Raj Temple on Laxman Jhulla· Cheap
Panchakarma, sound healing, astrology or Jyotishshastra, Ayurveda nutrition, yoga & Ayurveda retreat.
Vetted sources
Chakra Ayurvedic Wellness
Tapovan Sarai· Moderate
Panchakarma, Ayurveda, Physiotherapy, Yoga & Ayurveda retreat.
Vetted sources
Indian Palmistry Institute
near Police Station Laxman Jhula
Centre for learning palmistry and astrology.
Vetted sources
Ganga Astrology Centre
near German Bakery, Laxman Jhula
Personal horoscopes and palm reading from Dr. Gaurav Agrawal and the astrologer B.P. Uniyal. The horoscopes can be made on a distance, using your place and date of birth.
Vetted sources
Soma Reiki centre
Near the Swargashram taxi stand
Run by soma a local reiki master which is in Gita Ashram.
Vetted sources
What to eat
Devraj Coffee Corner
Worth itAlso recommended by Lonely Planet
A German bakery perched right at the Lakshman Jhula crossing serving brown bread with yak cheese, apple strudel, and what Lonely Planet calls the best coffee in town.
Vetted sources
Moon Dance Cafe
near taxi stand
Italian, Mexican American, Indian, Tibetan, Nepali, Israeli cuisine with all food prepared with fresh water. Great choice of delicious meals. Be prepared to wait for at least 40 minutes.
Vetted sources
Little Buddha
in Laxman Jhula, look for a huge tree in the middle of the Laxman Jhula Rd. The restaurant is right against the tree.
One of the best known cafes in town. Here you can get delicious Nepali, Indian, European, and Thai food for underper dish. Three storeys, nice Ganga view.
Vetted sources
Ganga View Restaurant
from Laxman Jhula bridge, go to taxi stand passing the famous bell temples. After taxi stand walk another 20 meters
Probably the best cooks in town, these guys will serve you any food you like. Be prepared to wait 40-90 minutes as the place is extremely popular.
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German Bakery in Tapovan
just above entrance to Laxman Jhula bridge, Tapovan side
Don't miss their super-popular spinach pie. Come at 10AM to get a piece.
Vetted sources
Pundit G Ka Rajasthani Restaurant
near Triveni Ghat
Has a very good variety of North Indian food.
Vetted sources
Red Night Restaurant
Open air, river-facing restaurant and terrace
Vetted sources
Where to stay
Hotel Narayana Kunj
Swargashram
They claim to have neat and clean rooms and good service.
Vetted sources
Ananda Guesthouse
next to Krishna Cottage
Clean and comfortable, new rooms with attached bath. Good value for the money and the owner is a great and helpful host.
Vetted sources
Hotel Surya Palace
Village Joink Ramjhula
Opened 2010. Wifi. Rooms are big, clean and very comfortable.
Vetted sources
Green Hotel
Swargashram
A large, popular place with a good restaurant.
Vetted sources
Hotel Hill Top
Laxman Jhula
Rooms overlooking the river and the mountains.
Vetted sources
Hotel Ishan
Lakshman Jhula
Decent rooms with Ganga views and balconies.
Vetted sources
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Travel content from Wikivoyage, CC BY-SA 4.0. Encyclopedic context from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0. Videos via the YouTube Data API.