1st January, 2023. Rishikesh. As we set foot in the new year, sitting in a cosy homestay in Rishikesh, my mind was travelling through the years of my many visits to this spiritual hill-station in Uttarakhand. Rishikesh is the closest hill-station to Delhi, and thus, is among the top weekend get-away destinations for Delhiites. Though spring time is the best, Rishikesh is enjoyable in all seasons. In fact, I have come here in all seasons- spring, summer, monsoon and winter. Hence, I thought of sharing my experience and some tips on the best things to do in Rishikesh in different seasons.
For more such travel tips, you may read: Coastal Karnataka | Kutch | Kerala |
We first visited Rishikesh in July 2010 as a day-trip from Mussoorie. First view of the winding Ganges flowing through the majestic Himalayas had convinced me then that I would be coming back to this amazing destination time and again. After about 8 years, our shifting base to Delhi has helped us explore the place inch by inch, though there is still a lot to explore.
Best Things To Do in Rishikesh
Before discussing the seasons, in order to set the expectations, let me briefly mention the highlights from Rishikesh, i.e. the best things to do in Rishikesh in general. To me, Rishikesh is about three things- its serene landscape, its timeless spirituality and the myriad adventures that one can engage in.
Serene landscape
Rishikesh is located at an interesting juncture in the lower Himalayas. It’s perhaps the lowest hill station in north India. The river Ganges (or, Ganga) that flows through narrow Himalayan passages till Rishikesh, gets a wider space to flow here, rather to express itself fully. Afterwards, it gets on to the plains starting Haridwar in the downstream. A little away from the old town are verdant hills and lush green forests.
About 70 kms upstream is Dev Prayag, the confluence of Bhagirathi and Alaknanda to form the Ganges river. Till this point Ganges flows in the name of Bhagirathi. Before this confluence, world’s 12th tallest, and India’s tallest dam is constructed over the Bhagirathi river. Day trips from Rishikesh to these wonderful locations are extremely rewarding.
Rishikesh townscape:
The old town is spread over the hills on both sides of the Ganges connected by three huge suspension bridges. First of these bridges- Laxman Jhula (swing) was built in 1929. After almost five decades, another bridge called Ram Jhula came up in 1980. Very recently in 2020, a third one (Janki Jhula) has made transport easier across the two sides of the town.
Owing to its heritage value, Laxman Jhula has become the most iconic symbol of Rishikesh, and the markets beside the bridge are very popular among tourists. Right now it’s undergoing some repair and maintenance, and thus, is closed for public use. Standing on the bridge (especially in the middle section), the panoramic view of the Ganges flowing through the mountains is absolutely gorgeous. The buildings perched precariously over the hills, and a number of ghats (platforms with steps leading to the river) on the river make for an interesting sight.
Ganga Ghats:
The Ghats of Ganga have a spiritual charm everywhere, from Rishikesh to Varanasi. They are so full of life and activities! I just love their vibes. Triveni ghat is the most popular one in Rishikesh. Besides, there are two ghats near Ram Jhula, one on either side of the river. The fourth one is near the Laxman Jhula (on Shani temple side).
A moment to remember at the ghat:
I fondly remember meeting this happy little angel at one such ghats this winter. She was selling flowers that devotees generally offer to river Ganges (revered as a Goddess) by floating them away with lamps in leaf-pots. Though I usually shun these religious practices, this girl amused me so much that I took one.
She was confident, playful, talkative, all smiles, and seemed the happiest kid in the world. Her happiness was infectious. Just look at her happy face and posture! She lives in a village nearby; attends school in the day, and sells flowers in the evening. She was excited about her dance classes as well! It was so sweet of her to invite us home, which we couldn’t accept as it was not the right time. Thanks to Parina for capturing the moments in camera forever.
River-beaches:
Beaches in Rishikesh!!! Yes, lovely river beds double up as beaches in Rishikesh. There are about three such beaches in Rishikesh, and three more a little away from the town. The beaches in the town are the Ram Jhula beach, Ganga beach and Goa beach.
Just a five minute walk upstream from Laxman Jhula is the Goa beach, my favorite one. It’s a little secluded, covered in the forests and offers smooth white sand to sit on. I loved my times at the Goa beach the most sitting on the rock and strolling on its white sand along the waterfront watching the rafters pass by in the river. I spent quite a long time there soaking in the serene environment and watching a beautiful sunset.
A little far from the town, there is a beach at the beginning of the rafting point in Shivpuri (near Vashistha cave), and one at the end point of rafting- Neem beach. The third one is called the Kaudiyala beach, some 40 kms away is more tranquil with very few visitors.
Rishikesh, the spiritual hill-station
Most hill stations in India are meant for leisure, shopping, culinary pleasure, and partying, with perhaps only two notable exceptions- Dharamshala (McLeodganj) and Rishikesh. Dharamshala is the base for Tibetan refuges, and their spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama. Thus, the place exudes Buddhist culture and spiritualism. Similarly, Rishikesh is an ancient spiritual site for Hinduism, with Yoga taking centerstage in the modern times.
{More such cultural destinations in this blog: Maheshwar | Udaipur | Chiang Mai}
Ashrams and temples:
Rishikesh boasts of the largest number of Ashrams (spiritual centers) in the country; most of them focus on yoga, and others provide an environment for meditation. Further, there are some purely religious Ashrams as well propagating Hindu philosophy.
Scores of temples and Ashrams dotting the river Ganges is a sight to behold from above the Himalayas. A walk around the town in the evening fills one with strong spiritual vibes. Sound of bhajans, visuals of aartis and fragrances of the incense sticks can make anyone feel the atmosphere, Hindus and non-Hindus alike. Hindu festivals are a treat to all your senses, and there are no dearth of festivals through out the year. The most popular ones are Holi, Diwali and the International Yoga Festival (details in subsequent sections).
Major temples in Rishikesh:
Trayambakeshwar temple (or, Tera Manzil Mandir) | Laxmana temple | Old Shani temple | Old Hanuman temple | Kunjapuri temple | Shatrughna temple | Bhootnath temple | Bharat Mandir | Raghunath temple | Neelkanth Mahadev temple.
Ganga Aarti:
Ganga aarti (a form of Hindu ritual offering light to the deities) in the evening is particularly famous at four places- Haridwar, Varanasi, Allahabad and Rishikesh. In Rishikesh there are two places to immerse in the experience- the Parmarth Niketan and the Triveni Ghat. Parmarth Niketan is right at the center of the main town; so, it’s convenient to reach there by foot. However, Triveni Ghat is a little far (3-4 kms), and one can reach there by a bike or a three-wheeler. I would highly recommend attending the Ganga Aarti at Triveni Ghat as this is done in more ancient traditional way, like that in Varanasi.
Yoga capital of the world
Rishikesh is immensely popular among Yoga practitioners. Though there is no evidence, Hindus generally believe Yoga originated in Rishikesh some 4000- 5000 years ago. Some scholars have traced the origin of Yoga to the Harappan region, but again it’s not proven. However, there is evidence of large number of Hindu saints meditating in Rishikesh through out history.
Nonetheless, it was only in the late nineteenth century, the first Yoga Ashram- Phool Chatti Ashram was established in Rishikesh by Devi Dayalji Maharaj. Next, Swami Sivanand founded Sivanand Ashram in 1932, and the Divine Life Society in 1936. Later, the most popular Ashram in Rishikesh (Parmarth Niketan) came up when Swami Sukhdevanand and Swami Bhajananand started meditating and living by the Ganges. However, the Ashram that put Rishikesh on the world Yoga map was Maharishi Mahesh Yogi’s Chaurasi Kutiya established in 1961. Two other important Yoga centers are: Patanjali International Yoga Foundation and the Yoga Niketan Ashram.
Chaurasi Kutiya/ the Beatle’s Ashram:
Maharishi Mahesh Yogi established this Ashram (then known as International Academy of Meditation) in 1961 in Rishikesh for teaching Transcendental Meditation. However, it came to be known as the Beatles’ Ashram after the most famous band in the history of rock music visited the Ashram in February 1968 and spent about eight weeks there. Though they left the Ashram amid a bit of controversy, it was an historic event, non-the-less; read more.
The name Chaurasi Kutiya (meaning 84 huts/ caves) comes from the fact that 84 small huts were constructed there between 1976-78 for the meditators. Maharishi stopped using the Ashram in the 1970s, and moved to Europe later. The Rajaji National Park authorities (Forest Department) have taken over the site in mid-1990s, and have conserved the Ashram, which has become a tourist spot now.
The Ashram stands witness to the enigmatic times when Indian soft power had just started playing in the minds of western audience. The remains of the buildings and huts are a fascinating sight, to say the least. A must visit in Rishikesh. Here is a nice guide to visit the Ashram.
A quick guide on Yoga courses:
Though almost all resorts (and even hotels/ homestays) offer Yoga courses, I know of the above Ashrams (except Chaurasi Kutiya, which is closed now) as authentic ones, though it’s not an exclusive list.
There are various types of yoga courses as per one’s needs or availability of time varying from 2 days to a few weeks to a few months. Here is a booking site I came across: bookyogaretreats.com. I don’t have any link with this site; just putting down here for your reference.
Rishikesh, an adventure hotspot
Adventure options:
Rafting is pretty much safe in Rishikesh, and there are a large number of certified service providers. There are three rafting options in Rishikesh to choose from:
- Marine drive to Rishikesh (28 kms): Rs. 1600
- Shivpuri to Rishikesh (16 kms): Rs. 1000
- Brahmapuri to Rishikesh (9 kms): Approx. Rs. 600
Other adventure sports:
Other popular adventure sports in Rishikesh include bungee jumping, ziplining paragliding, hot-air ballooning, waterfall rappelling, cliff jumping, etc. The flyingfox ziplining in Rishikesh is said to be the longest in Asia. Where to book adventure sports? Try Thrillophilia.
The hills and forests offer an amazing opportunity for trekkers/ hikers to enjoy the wilderness. Some of the popular trekking routes with Rishikesh as base are: Chandrashila- Chopta- Tungnath trek | Valley of flowers trek | Kuanri pass trek | Dayara Bugyal trek | Nag Tibba trek | Roopkund trek |
Rajaji National Park (a Tiger Reserve as well) is just 20 kms away towards Haridwar. So, you can also choose to take a jeep safari ride in the national park early in the morning or late in the afternoon. Camping is also very popular in Rishikesh.
Best Things To Do in Rishikesh in different seasons
Now let’s come to the main subject: the best things to do in Rishikesh in different seasons. It depends on who you are and what you are looking for when you think of visiting Rishikesh. As discussed above, Rishikesh offers quite a diverse array of options from relaxing in the wilderness to spiritualism to adventure sports. Of course, not everyone indulges in everything. And every activity has a best time to do. So one should make their schedule accordingly. Here is an comparative picture to help you plan better.
Rishikesh in the spring
Let me start with my favorite season in Rishikesh- the spring season (Feb-Mar). The temperature is just perfect for an outing all day and till late in the evening. Moreover, this is the time for some of the major festivals in Rishikesh- Basant Utsav, Holi and the International Yoga Festival. Basant festival is celebrated to welcome the spring season, and a local fair is held at the Bharat temple campus. International Yoga Festival has been organized by Parmarth Niketan since 1999 as a 7-day festival.
Holi at Triveni Ghat:
Last year (2022), I was there to experience Holi. I thoroughly enjoyed the way Holi was celebrated in the spiritual town. The rituals performed by the locals at Triveni Ghat alongside the regular Ganga Aarti was an absolutely enthralling experience.
Locals had made a large mound of dried cow-dung and were putting cotton threads around it. Late in the evening, they put it to fire representing burning of the demon. Dancers impersonating the lord Krishna and Radha kept entertaining the crowd.
The Ganga Aarti was as surreal an experience as electrifying. Brahmins offering fire to the Goddess Ganges in a rhythmic traditional ritual was a fulfilling experience. Once the Aarti was over, the crowd celebrated Holi by immersing in devotional songs and dances enjoying their heart out.
After attending the aarti there, when I reached the Ghats near Laxman jhula, it was abuzz with young crowd singing and dancing away till late night. The party was however at midnight 12 AM near Laxman Jhula. A large crowd dancing to the tunes of popular Holi songs was such a thrilling visual! The crowd seemed safe for girls and women too (almost 30% of the crowd, I guess).
I count that trip as one of my most enjoyable trips in India.
Rishikesh in the summer
It’s not surprising that the most popular season among tourists is the summer (April to June). Summer is extremely hot in Delhi (and rest of India), so tourists throng the hill stations to have some respite from the heat. This is true for most north Indian hill stations, but especially for Rishikesh as it’s very close to Delhi.
{For more weekend getaways from Delhi, do check out: Mussoorie | Nainital}
However, the temperatures are not really low in Rishikesh in the summer; the maximum temperature hovers around 35- 39 degree C, though mornings and evenings are really pleasant. So, it’s good to keep indoors during the daytime, and venture out towards the riverside in the early mornings and evenings. Exploring the places of interest in and around Rishikesh would be very difficult with the crowd, heat and high humidity levels.
However, the best part is that most of the adventure activities are best done in the summer, especially camping by the riverside or in the forest. Late night walking is also enjoyable. The eateries remain open and abuzz with people till late night.
Last but not the least, summer is the best season for photography here. I saw hazy atmosphere even in the spring season. But summers bring in clear sunny skies.
Rishikesh in the monsoon
Rishikesh sees a lot of rains in the monsoon between July and September. This is a good season only for people who love rains and enjoy watching a full river. Otherwise, it can be a lot frustrating to not having enough time out in the open.
I generally love hill stations in the monsoon, but not Rishikesh. Because the town is old and without proper drainage and sanitation facilities. Hence, walking around in the muddy roads is not particularly a pleasant experience. Further, there is not much scope for driving/ riding around in the town. Adventure sports/ activities would be extremely difficult and dangerous in the rainy season.
Rishikesh in the autumn
Autumn season (Oct-Nov) in Rishikesh is not very distinct, sandwiched between monsoon and winter. But two major festivals- Dussehra and Diwali are celebrated in this season. Like most of India, Diwali is celebrated here with a lot of enthusiasm. By this time, temperatures become soothing, and outing in the daytime is feasible.
I have not been there in the autumn, but have heard about its Diwali celebrations; so, will plan to be there once during the festival of light.
Rishikesh in the winter
Winter in Rishikesh is not too bad, but you need a bit of luck (read: a bit of sun)!
Our latest trip (when I started writing this article) was in winter. It was really cold (minimum temperatures remained in single digits), and sun was not to be seen. We did visit a few sites, and rode around the town a bit, but mostly remained indoors. However, we did join a young group of people to celebrate the arrival of 2023. We had planned to visit Dev Prayag or Tehri Dam on the first day of the year, but the chilly weather discouraged us. Instead we chose to walk around, and explored a few good cafes like the 60’s Beatle’s cafe, Ganga View cafe and the German cafe.
However, one would be lucky if the sun is up. A sunny winter day can be really enjoyable. A cup of kulhad-chai or hot coffee with hot steamed momos (dumplings) in a cafe by the river would be a great way to spend a cold evening.
Summary: Best things to do in Rishikesh in different seasons
- March (spring) is definitely the best month to be in Rishikesh. One can indulge in everything that Rishikesh is known for, especially the festivals.
- Summers are great especially for adventure seekers
- Monsoon is lovely only for nature seekers
- If you have time only in the autumn, better schedule it during Diwali
- You need to be lucky to have sunny days in the winter
- And if you are only looking for yoga/ meditation lessons, any season is just fine.
Rishikesh : Travel Tips
How to reach:
- Distance between Delhi and Rishikesh is only 230 kms. Delhiites generally prefer driving. However, if you are coming from another city, Delhi is your gateway.
- It’s is well connected with Delhi by train and bus services. Though several trains go directly to Rishikesh, the luxury buses will drop you off on the highway (and proceed to Dehradun), some 12 kms from the town. You will get auto-rickshaws from there to reach Rishikesh.
Where to stay:
Some good Hostels (no particular order):
Zostel | goSTOPs (Laxman Jhula and Tapovan) | Blue jay | the Hosteller (best for couples) | Joey’s | Live Free | Shiv Shakti | Skyyard (best for party) | Bunk Stay | Moustache (best for solo) |
Parmarth Niketan Ashram is a good option: Starting Rs. 700 for non-AC rooms and Rs. 1500-2000 for AC rooms. To check out their reservation page: click here. There are a number of other good ashrams; mostly in this price range, or even less.
Budget hotel suggestions:
Aranyam | the Great Ganga | Hotel Yog Vashistha | Hotel Welcome | Hotel Shivansh Inn | Hotel Raj Mahal | Hotel Shivanta Residency | Kunwar Residency |
(If you are interested in reading interesting stuff on choice of lodging, click here.)
How to move around:
Rishikesh is a very small town, and one can easily walk around from one end to the other without much difficulty. However, one would need to take an auto-rickshaw or ride a bike to reach Triveni Ghat. One should not move around by cars/ taxis as the roads are very narrow, and driving is really unpleasant. Once we often drive from Delhi to reach Rishikesh, parked our car at the hotel, and then moved around by foot or ride a bike or take auto-rickshaws.
Where to eat:
Freedom cafe | Little Buddha cafe | Ganga View cafe | 60’s Beatle’s cafe | Cafe Karma | The Pyramid cafe | Ramana’s Organic cafe | Bistro Nirvana | Honey Hut cafe |
Most of the restaurants and cafes in Rishikesh are vegetarian, because it’s a holy town. Only a few restaurants serve non-vegetarian food in the Tapovan area.
Things not to miss:
- A stroll by the river Ganges, especially in the morning or evening, depending on whether you are a morning person or an evening person
- Watch sunset from Goa beach
- River rafting, at least the small one from Brahmapuri to Rishikesh
- Experience Ganga Aarti at Triveni Ghat
- Try a short-term Yoga course at one of the authentic centers (mentioned above)
- Have a meal at one of the cafes with view of the Ganges (Ganga View cafe, Freedom cafe, etc)
Concluding Remarks
No doubt, Rishikesh is truly a great weekend getaway destination from Delhi. It rejuvenates the body and the soul alike. From nature therapy to yoga therapy; from adventure to food, you have got something for everyone in Rishikesh. However, it’s not just a weekend getaway. It’s perfect for long a peaceful sojourn as well.
I think spring time is the best, but visit anytime of the year, and Rishikesh will treat you with love none-the-less. My favorite things to do include nature walk and cultural observations. You may have a different reason to love Rishikesh in a different season. Moreover, any season is good if you know how to enjoy it.
Share your thoughts:
Jayvanti Einjen
Nice
stampedmoments
Thank you 🙂
Soumen Chatterjee
Rishikesh is truly a great weekend getaway destination from Delhi. It rejuvenates the body and the soul alike..This is the place which I have visited recently. Truely it’s Serene landscape. The Rishikesh township,the old town is spread over the hills on both sides of the Ganges connected by three huge suspension bridges. First of these bridges- Laxman Jhula (swing) was built in 1929. After almost five decades, another bridge called Ram Jhula came up in 1980. Very recently in 2020, a third one (Janki Jhula) has made transport easier across the two sides of the town. Laxman Jhula has become the most iconic symbol of Rishikesh, and the markets beside the bridge are very popular among tourists. Right now it’s undergoing some repair and maintenance, and thus, is closed for public use. Standing on the bridge (especially in the middle section), the panoramic view of the Ganges flowing through the mountains is absolutely gorgeous. The buildings perched precariously over the hills, and a number of ghats (platforms with steps leading to the river) on the river make for an interesting sight. It’s so true I have felt the same while standing in the middle .
The Ghats of Ganga have a spiritual charm everywhere, from Rishikesh to Varanasi. They are so full of life and activities! I just love their vibes. Triveni ghat is the most popular one in Rishikesh. Besides, there are two ghats near Ram Jhula, one on either side of the river. The fourth one is near the Laxman Jhula .
In terms of beaches ,there is a beach at the beginning of the rafting point in Shivpuri (near Vashistha cave), and one at the end point of rafting- Neem beach. The third one is called the Kaudiyala beach rightly said .Rishikesh boasts of the largest number of Ashrams (spiritual centers) in the country; most of them focus on yoga, and others provide an environment for meditation.
Rishikesh there are two places to immerse in the experience- the Parmarth Niketan and the Triveni Ghat. Parmarth Niketan is right at the center of the main town; so, it’s convenient to reach there by foot. However, Triveni Ghat is a little far (3-4 kms), it’s quite mesmerizing to see the ganga arati in the evening.
Wonderfully explained Rishikesh in all 4 seasons what to expect and what not to.
Really loved it.
stampedmoments
I know you visited recently, and had a good time.
Definitely, such a lovely place up close to Delhi!
Thanks Soumen!
Omveer singh Pundhir
Rishikesh is such a beautiful place that I want to visit this place again and again.
stampedmoments
Absolutely, it has something for everyone.
Thank you 🙂
Nancy Lessnick
Looks amazing! 🙂
stampedmoments
Yeah, quite an amazing place, indeed.
Hope you are doing well 🙂
seema sanap
Rushikesh is very beautiful place. I will try to visit this place.
stampedmoments
Yes, not far, very easy to visit.
Sanjib Sarangi
So nicely presented with information’s and tips for the future travelers to Rishikesh. Keep on writing, Suvendu.
stampedmoments
Thanks Sanjib bhai.
Your good wishes are always so encouraging!