6 Interesting Things to See and Do in Rishikesh

Blessed with the purity of river Ganges, behold to the divine chants of the Hindu prayers, bestowing the exquisite scenic backdrop with an enormous number of adventure sports will give a chill to your spine. Owing to its serene and thrilling environment, Rishikesh is renowned by two names - Land of God and the Adventure Capital of India. The rich cultural heritage of the city blends in well with the modern adaptations offering you the best of both the worlds. The pleasant environment of the city makes it an ideal place for a visit at any time of the year. May and June are slightly hot with a temperature rising up to +35º C. Late-September - October to mid-November end is the best season to enjoy the breathtaking adventure sports and the best time to visit the Rishikesh is during March-April to early May. Set amidst the mountain range of Uttarakhand, paving as Gateway to Garhwal, Rishikesh tour is a delight for friends, family or couples altogether. One can pick up from a plethora of options to get off to an amazing start. Here are some of the top picks for you to go and explore this monsoon.

1. Camping and bonfire on the banks of river Ganga

Looking for a hideout from the boring monotony of life, try camping on the banks of holy river Ganges flowing with serenity amidst the beautiful ranges of the Himalayas.  Seek peace in the lap of nature, explore the undiscovered beauties, and enjoy the blaze of the ceremonial bonfire with your loved ones. Under the starry nights and open sky, you can stretch beside your beloved person chatting and counting the stars. With the twinkling stars reflecting in the sparkling waters of Ganges, you feel like grabbing a guitar and playing the tone you love. The fun is limitless if you are out with a bunch of friends seeking for a real adventure. Camping and bonfire Visit this heaven during winters to make the best memories and for a real camping and bonfire experience that will last for a lifetime. Best Time for Visit: February to May and September to November Best Camps: Camp Aqua forest, Camp Rapid fire  

2. The real experience of adventure sports

If you are an adventure geek and don’t want to miss out on the fun, then this should be the dream place on your checklist. You just name the sport and you will surely find the best experience for it. River-rafting complements the city of Rishikesh that cannot be defined well at any other place. It is the best thing to do in Rishikesh and must during your visit. You can try your hands on bungee jumping to keep up with that adrenaline rush in your body. For those who wish to explore the world while traveling, mountain biking is yet another experience you won’t miss trying out with your buddies. Cycling through the rocky terrains, amongst the woods will heat you up from within. adventure sports Tied to a harness, while you roll down a wire about 7 meters above the ground level at a speed of 160 kmph, sure that will shoot up the adrenaline rush. But wait there is more to it. This journey of adventure is incomplete without a dosage of trekking to it. Trekking is meant for people belonging to all the age groups and often brings out the delight of exploring a whole new world. One can opt for an easy waterfall trek and enjoy the beauty around the glistening falls. Trekking around in the jungles and rocky terrains of Rishikesh is the best for nature lovers and enthusiasts. Many different sports clubs organize these activities for a minimal charge in a safe environment offering you the best experience of your life.  

3. Yoga and Spirituality

Yoga originates from the Sanskrit word "Yuj" which intends to join together or to join. On other hand, Rishikesh is the birthplace for yoga. People all across the world come to Rishikesh to do yoga (Yoga teacher training in Rishikesh is very popular with peoples living abroad). There are a lot of ashrams in Rishikesh which provides yoga teacher training. Other than that, Yoga retreats are all-time popular. People from all over India come to Rishikesh for all kinds of retreats. Yoga Teacher training In India  

4. Ganga Aarti

Ganga is the most sacred rivers of India and is worshipped throughout its flow along with all the states. People often take a dip in the holy river at the Triveni Ghat to seek blessings and for the purity of their heart and soul. Ganga Aarti The evening aarti at the Triveni Ghat is a reverence towards the river Ganga by the people of Rishikesh. Every evening the area gets lit up with the rows of lamps lighting, such a delightful and majestic sight to witness. One truly connects with its spiritual senses while witnessing this divine Ganga Aarti.  

5. Spellbound Tourist Attractions

Rishikesh is not just famous for its dare-devil adventures but also overshadows upon its culture with the immensely beautiful tourist attractions. Beatles Ashram is a memoir itself deciphering the fair share of history of Beatles in India. Beatles often made visits to this beautiful and holy destination due to its charismatic appeal. Many relics, paintings, and memoirs still exist in the long-abandoned Ashram that through light upon their time spent in India and interactions with Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. According to the mythology, it is said that the younger brother of Lord Ram, Laxman from the epic Ramayan made this bridge out of rope in order to cross the river with his brother and Lady Sita. Laxman Jhula is constructed in the exact same spot. You can enjoy walking across the river with a cool breeze of the wind refreshing you up. Tourist Attractions Rishikesh is lined up with a number of cafes that offer mouth-watering delicacies so that you will end up licking your fingers or asking for more. Fresh ingredients and an exotic mix of species, creates a masterpiece that’s served on your platter with finesse. The most recognized is the Café Delmar also popularly known as the Beatles Café, apparently hosted the Fab Four. To avoid excess crowd, you can always visit Café Karma and Café De Goa to satisfy your cravings.

6. Shopping in Rishikesh

Many local shops line up the streets of Rishikesh selling bulks of religious and handicrafts items. The UP Handloom, Garhwal wool or the Khadi shop offer colourful fabrics and wool at reasonable prices. Carry shawls, sarees, necklaces, pearls, bags and beaded items as a token of love or a souvenir for remembrance. Shopping in Rishikesh To know more such Indian destinations, follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Download our magazine Spunky Indian for exclusive stories.