Rishikesh Hindi: ऋषिकेश) is a city in the Indian state of Uttarakhand. Rishikesh (from Hrishikesh, another name for Lord Vishnu) is a holy city for Hindus located in the foothills of the Himalaya in northern India. Legend states that Lord Rama did penance here for killing Rāvaṇa, the demon king of Lanka. It is also known as the gateway to the Himalayas and is located about 25 kilometers away from another holy city, Haridwar. Rishikesh is the starting point for traveling to the sites that form the Char Dham pilgrimage — Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri, and Yamunotri. Rishikesh translates to mean He who has conquered his senses (Sanskrit: Rishik {senses} + Ish {master}).

The sacred river Ganga flows through Rishikesh. 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 Ganges in Rishikesh. The city attracts thousands of pilgrims and tourists each year, from within India, as well as from other countries. Rishikesh, sometimes nicknamed "the world-capital of Yoga", has several yoga centres that also attract tourists. It is believed that meditation in Rishikesh brings one closer to attainment of moksha, as does a dip in the holy river that flows through it. It is also becoming a popular spot for white water rafting enthusiasts, both from India and abroad, as it offers medium to rough rapids in the course of river Ganges.





Temple town of Rishikesh



Ram Jhula



Boat across the ganges



Reflections in the Ganges



Suspended Jhula



Lakshman Jhula



Trayambakeshwar temple



Temples in Rishikesh



Twisting....



and Turning rivers



The Ganges valley



Shivpuri



Rafting on the Ganges



Dusk in Rishikesh...



As the sun sets



And as it rises



In all its glory, the ganges, early morning....