Top Places To Visit in Rishikesh in 2025

Rishikesh, is the most beautiful place that is known as the ‘Yoga Capital of the World’ and the ‘Gateway to the Garhwal Himalayas’, is the 7th largest city in India. It is one of the most popular tourist hotspots, renowned for its magnificent attractions. These adventure activities are dotted with sacred temples, evergreen forests, and tranquil ashrams, This serene city offers visitors a list of intriguing experiences. Here we can be in over-crowded yet glorious Ganga Arti or on an adventure river rafting trip, as there are plenty of places to visit in Rishikesh. The beautiful city witnesses two opposite crowds,  and the pilgrims seeking blessings of the Gods, while the rest constitute leisure travellers looking for an adventurous trip.

This blog is all about the top places in rishikesh and the adventurous spots that we can enjoy over here. This is one of the most beautiful cities that describes nature’s beauty and some beautiful wildlife escapes that we can explore.

Spiritual & Cultural Attractions

Spiritual tourism has been characterised in different ways by researchers, such as Gisbert Rinschede distinguishes these by duration and by social structure. The Christian priest Frank Fahey writes that a pilgrim is “always in danger of becoming a tourist”. Pilgrimage is spiritually- or religiously motivated travel, which has been practised since antiquity and in several of the world’s religions that we can explore.

1. Triveni Ghat

This location is a beautiful and huge ghat which is situated in Rishikesh, Uttarakhand. It is the biggest and most popular ghat in Rishikesh, where devotees visit the ghat to take ritual baths, believing it cleanses them of their sins. It is used for the performance of the last rites ritual. The ghat is famed for the Ganga arti, performed to the chants of Vedic hymns. The Gita Temple, Triveni Mata Temple, and the Lakshmi-Narayan Temple are located on its banks. This place is among the top places that we must visit in Rishikesh.

• Location: The bank of the Ganga River.
• Best time to visit: October to March
• Distance from the railway station: 1.5 km

2. Lakshman Jhula and Ram Jhula

These two most beautiful points of attraction are two iconic iron suspension bridges in Rishikesh, India, spanning the Ganges River, with Lakshman Jhula being older and having a mythological connection to Lord Lakshman, and at the same time, Ram Jhula connects Muni Ki Reti to Swargashram. Ram Jhula is a connecting bridge between Sivananda Ashram in Muni Ki Reti to Gita Bhawan, Parmarth Niketan, and other temples. Though similar in design, this bridge is bigger than Lakshman Jhula, which is 2 kilometres upto the river.

• Location: outskirts of the city.
• Best time to visit: September and June
• Distance from the railway station : 3 km

3. Parmarth Niketan Ashram

This ashram is situated in the lap of the lush Himalayas, along the banks of the Ganges. The ashram was founded in 1942 by Pujya Swami Shukdevanandji Maharaj in the late 1940s. Since 1986, Pujya Swami Chidanand Saraswatiji Maharaj has been the President and Spiritual Head of Parmarth Niketan, and for 25 years, Sadhvi Bhagawati Saraswati has lived and taught at the Parmarth Niketan Ashram. Parmarth Niketan provides a clean, pure, and sacred atmosphere and abundant, beautiful gardens to thousands of pilgrims who come from across the globe.

• Location: located in Swargashram, Rishikesh
• Best time to visit: September to November
• Distance from the railway station: 15 km

4. Neelkanth Mahadev Temple

This temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Nilkanth, an aspect of Shiva, and it is about 120 km from Pauri town, the district headquarters, 32 km from Rishikesh in the Pauri Garhwal district of Uttarakhand, India. The temple architecture is very much influenced by the Dravidian style of temple architecture and is surrounded by dense forests and is adjacent to the mountain ranges of Nar-Narayan. This is enveloped between the valleys of Manikoot, Brahmakoot, and Vishnukoot and is located at the confluence of the rivers Pankaja and Madhumati.

• Location: 4887+Q7X, Swargashram Rd, Swarg Ashram
• Best time to visit: February to October
• Distance from the railway station : 3 km

5. The Beatles Ashram (Chaurasi Kutia) 

This ashram is also known as Chaurasi Kutia, and it is very close to the north Indian city of Rishikesh in the state of Uttarakhand that is opposite the Muni Ki Reti area of Rishikesh, in the foothills of the Himalayas. The large site was abandoned in the 1990s and returned to the local forestry department in 2003, after which it became a famous visiting place for fans of the Beatles. It is now popularly known as the Beatles Ashram and held an exhibition in February 2018 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Beatles’ arrival in Rishikesh.

• Location: eastern banks of the Ganga River
• Best time to visit: October to April
• Distance from the railway station: 13 km

Adventure Hotspots 

Adventure hotspots are the famous destinations that are known for offering thrilling and unique experiences, often involving physical activities and exploration of natural or cultural sites, catering to travelers seeking a more active and immersive experience and according to the U.S.-based Adventure Travel Trade Association, adventure travel may be any tourist activity that includes physical activity, and connection with outdoor activities and nature so that we can explore and enjoy the charm of nature. 

1. White Water Rafting on the Ganges 

One of the most interesting rivers that is also known as Ganga, the female name of the river as a deity and draws tourists from all over India. That is aside from the Hindu spiritual beliefs about the Ganga, it’s simply downright fun! We can enjoy the thrill earlier in Ladakh and Kolad, however, I have heard that river rafting in Rishikesh is the most thrilling and exciting adventure amongst all, as this is the most interesting adventurous sport.

• Location: 500 m from the Ganga River
• Price Rs 600 – 1000
• Duration: 2.5 to 7 hours

2. Jumpin Heights – Bungee Jumping & Flying Fox

The most fascinating sport in Rishikesh offers thrilling adventure activities, including bungee jumping from an 83-meter platform and Asia’s longest flying fox, a 1-kilometer zipline, all designed and operated by experts from New Zealand that featured a fixed platform bungee jump of 83 meters, designed by David Allardice of New Zealand and after the jump, jumpers are lowered to a drop zone in the river with only 2 ft of water. It also offers Asia’s longest flying fox, a 1-kilometer zipline that we are harnessed to an apparatus and released to gravity, running on a wire from a height of 120 meters, achieving speeds of up to 160 kmph.

• Location: 500m from ganga river
• Price: Bungee jumping: Rs 3550 and Flying Fox: Rs 3000
• Duration: Bungee jumping: 45 mins, and flying fox: 1 hour

3. Trekking Trails

The places, adventures, and vibes in the air make India’s northern frontier exciting, as it is one of the most beautiful places in North India that tends to every diehard adventurer. Among all the other adventures, trekking in Rishikesh is certainly the most exciting thing to do. The trek trails are so long and wide that we can go through them and explore the whole scenery of the bridges, lakes, and mountains. There are many popular treks in Rishikesh, like waterfall treks, Neer Garh Waterfall Trek, Kuari Pass Trek, and Valley of Flowers trek.

• Location: near the Ganga River
• Price: Rs. 1000 to 7000
• Duration: 4-5 days

4. Camping in Rishikesh 

Camping in Rishikesh offers a unique blend of adventure, nature, and spirituality that allows us to experience the foothills of the Himalayas and the holy Ganges River memorably, whether we’re seeking relaxation or adrenaline-pumping activities. It isn’t just about setting up a tent, and it is also about combining adventure travel with spiritual growth. Whether we’re seeking the excitement of white-water rafting or the calmness of yoga by the river, this place has something for everyone, making it a perfect weekend escape that gives our lives some exciting memories.

• Location: mountains and deserts
• Price: Rs. 1000 to 4000
• Duration: 2 days

For Free Consultation 

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Nature & Wildlife Escapes 

This is a city in India’s northern state that is situated in the heart of Uttarakhand, in the Himalayan foothills beside the Ganges River. There are some more natural highlands near Rishikesh, such as Mukteshwar, Ranikhet, Kausani, and numerous others. Apart from these, we can even head to Khisru which is a quint village that is dotted with several temples where each one of them is adorned with sparkling white snow and extends beguiling landscapes of nature and wildlife escapes. 

1. Rajaji National Park

This is the most popular national park and tiger reserve in the Haridwar, Dehradun, and Pauri Garhwal districts of the Indian state of Uttarakhand that encompasses an area of 820 km² in the Sivalik Hills. In 1983, three wildlife sanctuaries in the area, such as Chilla, Motichur, and Rajaji, were merged into one. This biodiversity-rich park is situated in the ecotone zone formed due to the merger of the Shivalik and the Himalayan mountain ranges. It is famous for its enthralling elephant safaris. Rajaji National Park is home to more than 400 species of animals, including tigers, leopards, and Sambar Deer. 

• Location: located near Haridwar and Dehradun
• Precautions: maintain silence and avoid feeding
• Points of attraction: safari, bird watching,  and trekking

2. Shivpuri

This place was earlier known as Sipri, and is a town and a municipality in Shivpuri district. It is in the Gwalior Division of northwest Madhya Pradesh and is the administrative headquarters of Shivpuri District, which is situated at an altitude of 1,515 feet above sea level. Shivpuri is popular for graceful, intricately embellished marble chhatris erected by Scindia rulers. Shivpuri is, city, northern Madhya Pradesh state, central India, that is located on an elevated watershed from which streams radiate in all directions.

• Location: located in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh.
• Precautions: wear life jackets and helmets
• Points of attraction: Flying Fox Rishikesh

3. Patna Waterfall

This huge waterfall is in Rishikesh in the quaint neighboring village of Patna. Here we can rent a motorbike from one of the many shops in the Tapovan area or walk for just over an hour on Neelkanth Temple Road, on the south side of the Ganges River. The waterfall track is found just off this main road, which plunges after Garud Chatti Falls. There are no signs that indicate the start of the Patna Waterfall hike, but we’ll see it just opposite the “Sidh Bali Temple.

• Location: located approximately 5 km from the Laxman Jhula Bridge
• Precautions: wear comfortable shoes and be cautious around water.
• Points of attraction: scenic views and small limestone

Conclusion

Rishikesh is a place that comes along with its blend of spiritual serenity and natural beauty, which offers a unique experience starting from iconic landmarks such as Laxman Jhula and Triveni Ghat to the spiritual atmosphere of ashrams and the adventure of the Ganges. Rishikesh leaves a lasting impression. The place is developing and growing rapidly, especially since the construction of the new bridge over the Yamuna River, the realignment of the pilgrim road from Raiwala to Rishikesh, and we can also go through the dense forests and lush mountains to explore the meaning of real beauty of nature.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1. What are the rare places to visit in Rishikesh?
Ans: Phool Chatti Waterfall, Vashishta Cave, Neer Garh Waterfall, Patna Waterfall, and Kunjapuri Temple are hidden gems in Rishikesh.

2. Which is the most beautiful spot in Rishikesh?
Ans: The serene banks of the Ganges at Triveni Ghat are mesmerizing, but places like Neelkanth Mahadev Temple and Beatles Ashram also offer breathtaking beauty.

3. What is the origin of the name “Rishikesh”?
Ans: The name “Rishikesh” is derived from Sanskrit, meaning “Lord of the Senses,” and is associated with Lord Vishnu’s incarnation as Hrishikesha.

4. Does Rishikesh have nightlife?
Ans: Rishikesh is more famous for its peaceful ambiance, but visitors can enjoy live music cafés, bonfire gatherings, and Ganga Aarti at Triveni Ghat in the evenings.

5. What is Rishikesh’s traditional food?
Ans: Rishikesh offers delicious satvik and North Indian cuisine, including Aloo Puri, Chana Masala, Pahadi Rajma, Garhwali Kafuli, and sweet delights like Bal Mithai.