Best things to do in Rishikesh

Rishikesh Essentials

Rishikesh, recognized as the global center for yoga, sits at the base of the Himalayas where the Ganges River flows through the Shivalik Hills. This collection includes the city's primary spiritual landmarks, from the ancient Triveni Ghat and Yoga Niketan Ashram to the towering Lord Shiva monument in nearby Haridwar. The list highlights the region's religious architecture, seasonal Ganga Aarti ceremonies, and significant pilgrimage sites like the Mansa Devi Temple and Gurdwara Sri Hemkund Sahib.

Rishikesh Essentials — Map

Cristian Garcia / CC-BY-SA

A

Ganga Aarti summer and winter afternoon

A daily ritual of fire and chanting performed on the banks of the Ganges. The ceremony's timing adjusts seasonally to coincide with the sunset, featuring priests offering large brass lamps to the river deity.

B

Triveni ghat

The largest bathing ghat in Rishikesh, situated at the confluence of the Ganges, Yamuna, and Saraswati rivers. It is the city's central site for ritual cleansing and the evening Maha Aarti ceremony.

Ssriram mt / CC BY-SA 4.0

C

Mansa Devi Temple

Mansa Devi Temple, Haridwar is a Hindu temple dedicated to goddess Mansa Devi in the holy city of Haridwar in the Uttarakhand state of…

Jay Galvin / CC BY 2.0

D

Lord Shiva

A prominent 100-foot tall statue of Lord Shiva located at Har Ki Pauri. The monument depicts the deity in a meditative pose overlooking the sacred waters of the Ganges.

//www.flickr.com/photos/nbc/ / CC BY-SA 2.0

E

Ganga Devi

A temple dedicated to the goddess Ganga, the personification of the holy river. It serves as a site for pilgrims to offer prayers and traditional lamps during their visit to the riverbanks.

mckaysavage / CC BY 2.0

F

Har ki Pauri

Har Ki Pauri is a famous ghat on the banks of the Ganges in Haridwar in the Indian state of Uttarakhand.

G

Yoga Niketan Ashram

One of the oldest yoga institutions in Rishikesh, established by Swami Yogeshwaranand Saraswati. The ashram is situated on a hill and follows traditional Hatha Yoga and meditation practices.

H

Gurdwara Sri Hemkund Sahib

A Sikh house of worship that provides lodging and community meals for pilgrims. It serves as a major stop for those traveling toward the high-altitude Hemkund Sahib shrine.

I

Bairaj lake

A reservoir created by the Pashulok Barrage on the Ganges River. The area is used for water management and serves as a habitat for various migratory bird species.

J

Mooji

A spiritual center and gathering place for followers of the teacher Mooji. It hosts satsangs and silent retreats focused on the teachings of Advaita Vedanta.