Rishikesh
Photo: Tylersundance (CC BY-SA 3.0)Yoga capital on the Ganga at the foot of the Himalaya: ashrams, the Triveni Ghat aarti, the Beatles Ashram and white-water rafting.
Base for yoga courses, ashram stays and the evening aarti, and Uttarakhand's rafting hub. Pleasant most of the year; very crowded in Sawan (July).
November: Pleasant
When to go
Things to do
- Watch the Ganga aarti at Triveni Ghat or Parmarth Niketan: Evening aarti about 18:00-19:00 at Triveni Ghat; Parmarth aarti 17:00 winter / 18:00 summer
- White-water rafting from Shivpuri: Common stretch Shivpuri-Laxman Jhula, about 11 km; use certified operators
- Bungee jump or giant swing at Mohanchatti: Jump height up to 83 m
- Ziplining over the river valley
- Join a yoga or meditation course at an ashram
- Walk around the Beatles Ashram murals: 10:00-16:00; forest department ticket
- Hike the waterfall trails and to Kunjapuri
- Rafting on the Ganga, Shivpuri: White-water rafting on the Ganga from Shivpuri to Laxman Jhula (about 11 km), Uttarakhand's best-known adventure activity.
- Visit Lakshman Jhula: Closed to the public
- Visit Beatles Ashram: 10:00-16:00 (Incredible India); a 2026 guide says until 17:00 in summer with last entry an hour before closing
- Visit Parmarth Niketan: Evening aarti about 17:00 in winter and 18:00 in summer
- Visit Triveni Ghat: Ghat open all day; evening aarti about 18:00-19:00
Top sights
Lakshman Jhula
Historic 1939 suspension bridge over the Ganga, now closed to the public; a new glass-deck bridge (Bajrang Setu) is being built beside it.
Beatles Ashram
Former Maharishi Mahesh Yogi ashram where The Beatles stayed in 1968, now a forest-department site full of murals and meditation domes.
Parmarth Niketan
One of Rishikesh's largest ashrams on the Ganga at Swargashram, known for its evening Ganga aarti and yoga festival.
Triveni Ghat
Rishikesh's main bathing ghat, where a large evening Ganga aarti with lamps and chanting is held.
Ram Jhula
Iron suspension footbridge over the Ganga leading to the Swargashram ashram quarter.
Bharat Mandir
One of Rishikesh's oldest temples, to Vishnu, near Triveni Ghat; the idol is carved from a single saligram stone.
Trayambakeshwar Temple
Thirteen-storey temple tower at Laxman Jhula with shrines to many deities on each floor.
Beatles Ashram
Chaurasi Kutia
Historic ashram where The Beatles stayed and composed music in 1968. Now maintained by the Forest Department, featuring graffiti art in the former meditation caves and cathedral-like lecture hall.
Janki Setu
Modern 346-meter suspension bridge opened in late 2020 featuring dedicated two-wheeler and pedestrian lanes, easing congestion between Muni Ki Reti and Swargashram.
Gurudwara Sri Hemkunt Sahib (Rishikesh)
Aarti
Nature and outdoors
Where to eat
Chotiwala Rishikesh
Famous vegetarian thali restaurant at Swargashram, near Ram Jhula.
Ganga Beach Restaurant
Riverside multi-cuisine restaurant on the Laxman Jhula-Tapovan road with Ganga views.
Oasis Restaurant and German Bakery
Laxman Jhula cafe-restaurant with a German bakery counter and a broad international menu.
VJ's By The Ganges
Tapovan restaurant on the Badrinath road for pizzas and Italian, European and Indian food.
Sitting Elephant
Upmarket restaurant on Haridwar Road with Indian, Chinese and international dishes.
Rajastanee Rishkesh
Vishal Bhojnalaya (Punjabi)
The Kailasa
Momoza
Ram Jhula Restaurant
Nirvana Bistro
Secret Garden Cafe
Shopping
Nearby
Other destinations close to Rishikesh.