Rishikesh is associated with Rama. According to legend, hare he came on the
advice of sage Vasishtha to do
penance for killing Ravana. the king
of Lanka. There are scores of
ancient temples and ashrams affording spiritual solace to
pilgrims, the important among them being
temple of Bharata Pushkar temple, Shatrughan temple, Lahkhsmana temple, Geeta Bhawan and the Punjab Kshetra.
Rishikesh, also known as the “place of sagas” is a spiritual town situated 24 kms upstream
from Haridwar, at the confluence of the Chandrabhaga and Ganga. It is believed
that God by the name of “Hrishikesh” had appeared as an answer to the hard
penances by Rabhiya Rishi and henceforth the place derived its name. It is the
starting point for the Char Dham pilgrimage and an ideal destination not only
for pilgrims but also for the people who are interested in medtation, yoga and
other aspects of Hinduism. For the adventure seekers, Rishikesh is the
suggested place for starting their trekking expeditions to the Himalayan peaks
and for rafting. Also, International Yoga week which attracts participation
from across the world, is held here, every year, in February on the banks of
the Ganga
Laxman jhula A suspension bridge across river Ganga, on the
old route to the shrines of Badrinath and Kedarnath is worth visiting spot.
Triveny GhatA bathing Ghat which resounds with the ‘Arti’
performed every evening to river Ganga.
Some premier temples in Rishikesh are Raghunath Temple,
Pushkar Temple, Venkateshwar Temple, Chandra Mauleshwaran Temple, Shatrughan
Temple, Bharat Mandir and Lakshman Temple.
Some of the main Ashrams are Shivanand Ashram, Muni Ki Reti,
Mahesh Yogi Ashram, Shankaracharya Nagar, Swarg Ashram, Gita Bhawan, Ved
Niketan and Yoga Study Centre.