Rishikesh around 28 km off Haridwar
is at the base of Himalaya and the place where Ganga comes down to the
plains from hills. A breathtaking experience of natural beauty and undiscovered
wildlife await here. Not to mention the peace and tranquility of a landscape
associated with sages and meditation. According to legend, sage Raibhya
Rishi undertook staunch penance at Rishikesh to please God. In answer to
his meditation, god appeared here, manifested as `Rishikesh' (hairs of
the sage) and the place thus came to be called after him. Today, Rishikesh
has become a center for learning and research in yoga and meditation, the
renowned Indian methods for mental and physical health. |
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Hrishikesh (from Hrishikesh,
another name for Lord Vishnu), in the state of Uttaranchal, is a holy city
for Hindus located in the foothills of the Himalaya in northern India.
It is also known as the gateway to Himalayas and it located about 25 kilometers
away from another holy city, Haridwar, and is considered an access point
for the cities that form the Char Dham - Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri,
and Yamunotri.
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The sacred river Ganga (anglicized
to Ganges) flows through Hrishikesh. In fact, it is here that the river
leaves the Shivalik mountains Himalayas, and flows out into the plains
of northern India. Several temples, ancient as well as new, can be found
along the banks of the river in Hrishikesh. The city attracts thousands
of pilgrims and tourists each year, from within India, as well as from
other countries. The city has several Yoga centres that also attract tourists.
It is believed that meditation in Hrishikesh brings one closer to attainment
of salvation, or moksha, as does a dip in the holy river that flows through
it. It is also becoming a hot spot for white water rafting enthusiasts,
both from India and abroad, as it offers medium to rough rapids in the
course of river Ganges.
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The name Hrishikesh is loosely
applied to an association of five distinct sections encompassing not only
the town but also hamlets and settlements on both sides of the river Ganges.
These include Hrishikesh itself, the commercial and communication hub;
the sprawling suburban Muni-ki-Reti or the "sands of the sages"; Shivananda
Nagar the home of Sivananda Ashram and The Divine Life Society founded
by Swami Sivananda , north of Hrishikesh; the temple section of Lakshman
Jhulla, a little further north; and the assorted Ashrams around Swarg Ashram
on the East bank. One can reach the famous Neelakanta Maha Deva Temple
from here.The Ganga Arathi performed at dusk at the Triveni Ghat is a spectacular
sight not to be missed by visitors.
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The Lakshman Jhula, a 450
feet long suspension bridge was built in 1939. A newer bridge the Ram Jhula
has been added recently. The Ganga abounds in fish. Offerings of puffed
rice are made to these creatures. The freshness of the air, and sound of
flowing water, the scenic beauty of the region and the distant
sound of bell chimes create an unforgettable experience for those that
visit this ancient pilgrimage town.
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Tapovan on the other bank
of the Ganges houses a temple to Lakshmana. It is believed that Lakshmana
carried out penances here. It is also believed that his brother Bharata
meditated here, and there is a temple to Bharata here. Also seen here are
the Swargashram and the Geeta Bhavan temples.
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12 km away from Rishikesh
is located the Nilkanth Mahadeo temple at a height of about 5000 feet,
commanding spectacular views of the region.
Rishikesh represents the
Gateway to the Himalayas in the Tehri-Garhwal region of Uttar Pradesh.
It abounds in natural splendour. The spectacle of the Ganga rushing through
the Himalayan foothills is an awesome sight. Several temples dot the banks
of the Ganga at Rishikesh.
Rishikesh is located at
a height of about 1360 feet above sea level. It is believed that several
yogis and sages lived and practised penance here. Rishikesh represents
the site where Vishnu vanquished the demon Madhu.
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24 kms upstream on the banks
of the Ganga where it is met by the Chandrabhaga is the holy town of Rishikesh.
Literally, Rishi’s (holy man) locks, this small town is the point where
the holy Ganges crashes down in full glory onto huge boulders and creates
long stretches of white sandy beaches. the Ganga cuts its passage through
the last foothills and enters a complex of three localities. First is the
area where the famous Laxman Jhoola bridge spans the river and lends its
name to the locality, then comes Muni-ki-Reti (sands of the sages) where
the wise ones spent time in devotion, meditation and yoga, and then comes
the expending township on the bank of the river. The whole complex is called
Rishikesh. Pilgrims flock to this gorge-centred town, 40 km from Dehra
Dun. Ashrams, or religious retreat centres, offer lessons in meditation,
and treatment for a variety of stress-induced ailments using the ancient
medical techniques. Rishikesh is also the gateway and the start – off point
for journeys to important religious places like Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri
and Yamnotri. Rishikesh is also acquiring greater significance as a centre
for white water rafting. Other riverine sports, a base for treks and hikes
in the beautiful Garhwal Himalayas and trips to the Sikh Gurdwara at Hemkund
Sahib and the Valley of Flowers. One also starts from Rishikesh for skiing
at Auli and expeditions to the Nanda Devi massif.
Rishikesh is the lap of Hindu
philosophy and learning, with several ashrams devoted to the understanding
and propagation of the faith. Signs of religious rituals can be seen all
over Rishikesh – in the numerous temples lining the banks of the Ganga,
the mythological tales that you hear about various spots and even the shops
that sell books and religious objects.
Rishikesh acquired prominence
in the west when the Beatles generation was influenced by the foray of
their idols into this Hindu spiritual heartland. Because Rishikesh is where
the Beatles met Maharishi Mahesh Yogi and began their quest for spiritual
salvation. Even today, several foreign travellers besides the steady stream
of Indian students visit the ashrams to study Hindu philosophy, yoga and
Ayurvedic medicine. Every year in the beginning of February an international
Yoga week is organised at Rishikesh by the Department of Tourism. Rishikesh
is not only popular for its religious significance, but also as a base
for devotees on their journey to the Char Dham Yatra (Tour of Four Pilgrim
sites). Rishikesh is equally popular with adventure tourists heading for
the tougher trekking trails to be found in the higher Himalayas.
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