As you can see it from the title, it was the last trip I took before this coronavirus pandemic locked us in our respective homes.
I am so thankful to my sister that she decided and planned this trip for us. Plus it was her birthday. So we had an occasion to celebrate as well.
The destination we decided to visit together was Rishikesh as we desperately wanted to visit someplace soothing and serene in nature.
WHAT TO DO IN RISHIKESH
Rishikesh is one of the most popular destination where you can discover lots of things and activities. Rishikesh is a city set in the beautiful mountainous state of Uttarakhand and a location so serene that it can melt the heart of the Gods. Often known as the Gateway to the Garhwal mountains, the city has a rich cultural past that blends with the modern city that it has become. There are a plethora of things that people in Rishikesh can do, here are our top picks for things to do in Rishikesh.
1) WITNESS THE GANGA ARTI AT TRIVENI GHAT
The Ganga river has been considered as one of the holiest rivers in India. The arti that is performed at the Triveni Ghat is a testament to the devotion of the people of Rishikesh towards the river.
Every evening the area lights up with the aarti and it is truly a majestic sight to witness. One can truly feel the spirituality when witnessing the Ganga Arti at Rishikesh.
2) GO RIVER RAFTING
The proximity of Rishikesh to the Himalayan range with the Ganga river flowing through it makes it an ideal place to go rafting. The sport has been gaining much popularity lately. The activity caters to every adventure junkie’s need to feel the adrenaline rush. The chilly waters of Ganga add a different layer of excitement to the entire activity.
3) INTERNATIONAL YOGA FESTIVAL
Yoga has been part of the culture in Rishikesh for centuries. There are many practitioners who are willing to teach you this exercise and activity in Rishikesh. Engaging in yoga not only proves to be a good physical activity but also helps calm the mind and encourages focused clarity.
Rishikesh happens to be the “yoga capital of the world” and people from all around the world come here to practice yoga. Every year Yoga Festival is celebrated in Rishikesh at PARMARTH NIKETAN where people come from different countries and participate in the festival.
4) VISIT RISHI KUND: HOT WATER SPRINGS FOR SAGES
Rishikund, a.k.a the Pond of Sages, is a place you wouldn’t want to miss. The hot water spring with various mythological references attracts many pilgrims every year. Being part of Raghunath temple and close to Shani and Triveni Sangam, this place is easily accessible and is one of the best places to visit in Rishikesh
5) VISIT LAKSHMAN JHULA
You can enjoy a walk on the bridge in the evenings and can feel the cold air. During the day the bridge is crowded as it connects the two important sides of Rishikesh.
6) Neelkanth Mahadev Temple
The sacred pilgrim spot of the Hindus and the revered holy shrine visited by thousands of pilgrims, the Neelkanth Mahadev temple is located on a hill above the Swarg Ashram in Haridwar. The temple is fondly dedicated to Lord Shiva who was considered the most authoritative of all gods in the Hindu Pantheon. The construction and placement of the temple have a different story to tell. According to popular mythological stories, Lord Shiva drank the poison which appeared as a result of the churning of the ocean or the ‘Sagar Manthan’.
The premise of the temple is said to be the same place where this incident occurred. When the Lord drank poison, his throat became blue. This is the reason why the temple is also known as ‘Neelkanth” which means ‘Blue Throat’. The main temple has a Shiva Lingam and the aura surrounding the temple is ethereal and subtle. Devotees also get Prasad offerings from the temple along with Vibhuti and Chandan.
7) The Beatles Cafe | Cafe Delmar
This one is a Beatles-themed cafe that has the most stunning view of the Ganges river. It’s the ideal place for a Beatles fan because it’s literally filled with their memorabilia, pictures and more. In fact, they only play Beatles’ songs and even have live music evenings, isn’t that like the cherry on the cake? Their menu is huge and versatile with vegan and gluten-free options as well, if you’d like. Their service can be a little slow due to the high demand but the food is simply delicious and worth the wait. The burgers, pizzas and desserts are totally breathtaking.
The menu is also fully labelled with their vegan options and staff seemed really knowledgeable and were happy to answer any query related to the menu or the places to explore in Rishikesh.
The place itself is clean and comfortable and it’s even worth a visit just for the brilliant views of the Ganga River. So if you are looking for somewhere to relax and soak in the good atmosphere while enjoying some seriously diverse food options then this is a great place to go.
8) Shambhala Cafe
There is Shambhala Cafe where you have to go through this shop (shown above) to reach this small but exciting cafe. You will be drawn to this place immediately as you hear the sound of the music whilst walking down the streets.
You will be required to take off your shoes in every cafe in Rishikesh as you will be sitting on the ground covered with colorful carpets. There is a unique feel to this place which touches the soul irrespective of this place being a little small and cozy.
Food here is simply amazing and one can enjoy variety of cuisine from Aloo-gobi to Nutella banana crepes (as shown in the picture above).
And there are a lot more adventurous activities like Bunjee Jumping, Flying Fox, Cliff Jumping, Body Surfing, Canoeing, Kayaking etc for every adventure junkie out there.
So don’t forget to pay your visit to this heavenly place .
It will be worth it!
I promise!
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