Rishikesh

Rishikesh, in Dehradun district of Uttarakhand, is one of India’s most sacred spiritual towns and the gateway to the Char Dham pilgrimage—Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath. Its name comes from “Hrishikesh”, a form of Lord Vishnu who is believed to have appeared here to the sage Raibhya after deep penance.

Ancient scriptures like the Skanda Purana, Ramayana, and Mahabharata mention this region as a land of meditation where sages performed tapasya on the banks of the Ganga. For centuries, Rishikesh remained a forested hermitage zone dotted with ashrams, caves and gurukuls, attracting yogis and monks seeking spiritual liberation.

During medieval times, it became a key halting point for pilgrims traveling to the Himalayas. The iconic Lakshman Jhula, according to legend, marks the place where Lakshmana crossed the Ganga on a jute rope. The modern iron suspension bridge was built in 1929, followed by Ram Jhula in 1986, shaping the town’s identity.

In the 20th century, Rishikesh became globally known when The Beatles visited Maharishi Mahesh Yogi’s ashram in 1968, sparking worldwide interest in yoga and meditation. Today, Rishikesh is celebrated as the “Yoga Capital of the World,” hosting the annual International Yoga Festival.

Modern Rishikesh blends ancient spirituality, ashram traditions, adventure tourism, and the ever-sacred flow of the Ganga.