{"id":18797,"date":"2021-09-27T23:13:52","date_gmt":"2021-09-27T17:43:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gostops.com\/blog\/?p=18797"},"modified":"2026-07-09T15:24:21","modified_gmt":"2026-07-09T09:54:21","slug":"7-best-things-to-do-in-rishikesh","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gostops.com\/blog\/7-best-things-to-do-in-rishikesh\/","title":{"rendered":"7 Best Things To Do In Rishikesh"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Rishikesh is the land soaked in fascinating mythology and is the gateway to the Garhwal Himalayas. Breathtaking scenery, ample options for outdoor recreation and possibly a spiritual awakening are few of the things that await travelers making their way to Rishikesh. <\/strong>It\u2019s only a matter of \u2018when\u2019 and not \u2018if\u2019 you’ll travel there because it truly is one of the most enticing places to see in India. So for when you do, here are the 7 best things to do in Rishikesh.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Attend The Ganga Aarti At Triveni Ghat<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Ganga is believed to be the holiest river as per Hindu mythology. To pay respect to the sanctity of the river and seek its blessings, several devotees attend the Ganga Aarti (prayer ritual) at Triveni Ghat<\/strong>. This ghat is the point at which the holy river Ganga meets two other sacred rivers namely Yamuna and Saraswati. The ritual begins at 06:00 p.m. every evening and goes on to 07:00 p.m. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"ganga
Attending the Ganga Aarti is an experience within itself. Photo by ADITYA PRAKASH<\/a> <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Quite a few people gather to participate in the spiritual ritual so make sure you\u2019re there a tad bit early to get some place to sit. The smell of incense sticks, the sight of beautifully lit lamps, the sound of beating drums, bells, and chants creates an atmosphere of positivity.<\/strong> Attending the Ganga Aarti to experience the spiritual energy of the place is a must for anyone coming to Rishikesh. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Take A Stroll From Lakshman Jhula To Ram Jhula<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

When you begin to explore Rishikesh on foot, you\u2019ll notice two huge bridges dominating the space in town – the Lakshman and Ram Jhula. These bridges are an integral part of Rishikesh; there\u2019s something about walking on them that lets you see the people, temples and the region from a different lens<\/strong>. Among the two, Ram Jhula is the bridge that\u2019s less crowded. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The iconic Lakshman bridge is a bit more touristy. It was built in 1929 and named after the Hindu deity Lakshmana. As per ancient mythology, the Hindu God Lakshmana crossed the river Ganga on the location where the bridge is built on just two ropes.<\/strong> Since the Lakshman Jhula bridge is pretty old (92 years to be exact) and won\u2019t really be able to sustain the load of people, an alternative bridge that replaces it is in discussion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Depending on when you visit, you may not be allowed to walk on it if it\u2019s closed. In that case, head to the younger Ram Jhula (35 years old). Even strolling by the streets that surround these bridges is a great way to observe the lifestyle and culture of the people, making it one of the musts from the things to do in Rishikesh<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Get Your Adrenaline Fix<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Extreme sports in Rishikesh are an eye-candy for adrenaline junkies. Be it river rafting, bungee jumping, mountain biking or rock climbing – You name it and you\u2019ll find it here. <\/strong>Some of these can be downright terrifying but it\u2019s also so much fun once you\u2019ve accomplished it. For river rafting<\/a>, Shivpuri, Brahmpuri and Marine Drive are popular choices for tourists.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The terrain of streams, mountain peaks, and vast green plains of Rishikesh is best experienced through mild adventure options like hiking, riverside camping or zip-linin<\/strong>g. These are less nerve-wracking to try in comparison to extreme sports. There is some outdoor activity for every type of traveler so pick an activity that you picture yourself trying out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Meditate At Maharishi Mahesh Yogi Ashram<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Maharishi Mahesh Yogi Ashram, previously unknown to many, became an extremely exciting site to visit after the legendary band The Beatles stepped in here in 1968. The Beatles came to the ashram to practice transcendental meditation and through it, find spiritual answers. <\/strong>Today, the ashram has become a spot for fans and tourists to come witness the place the Beatles once sat to meditate. Their time here proved fruitful; they wrote 48 songs that feature mostly on the \u2018White Album\u2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"beatles
The walls at the Beatles Ashram are covered in graffiti. Photo by Shubhashis Roy<\/a> <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The ashram is also a fascinating place for artists because the walls are splattered with beautiful graffiti in tribute to the band. Artists like Pan Trinity Das and Miles Toland have created some marvellous murals that truly give the old ramshackled walls a whole new look.<\/strong> The ashram lies abandoned today, but make sure you visit to check out the art and spend some time contemplating in the meditation caves that The Beatles once occupied.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It would take you approximately 30 minutes or so to walk to the Beatles Ashram from Ram Jhula.<\/strong> In case you don\u2019t like to walk, you could consider renting a scooter to get there and capture some great views en route. Keep in mind that the ashram is situated inside Rajaji Tiger reserve, so it\u2019s best to leave once the sun sets since the park shuts at 6.30 p.m.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Go With The Flow At Neer Garh Waterfall<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Neer Garh waterfall is just 30 minutes away from the central area in Rishikesh<\/strong>. It\u2019s a great place to go to if you wish to improve your blood circulation by sitting under freshwater cascading off the cliffs. To find the waterfalls, you\u2019ll have to trek up a hill; the reward is you get to take a dip in a chilling pool of water. It’s as close as it gets to sitting in nature’s own swimming pool. If you\u2019re not super interested in swimming in the water, you can trek further up to get an eagle-eye view of the town of Rishikesh. <\/strong>Ideally, this waterfall is a great place to head to in the summers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Keep Calm And Practice Yoga<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Rishikesh is known to be the yoga capital of the world. People from all over the globe come here to learn about the teachings of yoga and attend yoga teacher training classes with certifications. There are several yoga ashrams in Rishikesh, but each of them have their own requirements in terms of maximum\/minimum number of participants and days.<\/strong> In some ashrams, you can stay even for a period as long as 6 weeks to learn extensive courses on yoga practices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you don\u2019t have that much time to dedicate, you can consider joining the daily yoga classes that most hostels and hotels organise. Also, think about carrying your yoga mat with you to try some yoga poses at sunrise by the holy river Ganga. The natural scenery, fresh air and the serene Ganga river heightens the experience of doing yoga in comparison to how it feels indoors.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Go On A Healthy Food Trail<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNo, don\u2019t eat too much outside food!\u201d Did we sound just like your parents warning you to stop eating out? Well that\u2019s a comment you won\u2019t hear after you send them pictures of the food you find in Rishikesh. We say that because most restaurants in Rishikesh revolve around the idea of serving nutritious, organic food to guests. Due to Rishikesh being on sacred ground, restaurants don\u2019t serve meat or alcohol. Instead, salads, colorful Instagrammable smoothie bowls and fresh fruits are things you\u2019ll easily spot on your menu.<\/strong> That\u2019s the kind of food culture that\u2019s growing in Rishikesh and it\u2019s definitely one of the must-try things to do in Rishikesh.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some of the best places to eat at are Ganga Beach Caf\u00e9, Little Buddha Caf\u00e9, Ramana\u2019s Organic Caf\u00e9, The Sitting Elephant and Beatles caf\u00e9.<\/strong> Sitting at a caf\u00e9 that overlooks the river Ganga is something that every tourist looks for when in Rishikesh. You\u2019ll find dozens of river facing caf\u00e9s in line around Lakshman and Ram Jhula bridge. <\/strong>Don\u2019t forget to also indulge in baked goods before you leave Rishikesh. Make sure to check out Honey Hut, Oasis Bakery and German bakery to satisfy your sweet tooth. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Has this list of the 7 best things to do in Rishikesh convinced you yet? Do consider heading to Rishikesh because it\u2019s not just a great place with interesting things to do but it can be a pretty inexpensive place to holiday. It\u2019s a backpackers favorite and if you consider yourself looking for a budget escapism-styled holiday, this may be it<\/strong>. In case you want to save on accommodation costs by staying at a social and clean hostel, check out both of our goSTOPS properties in Rishikesh<\/a>. We\u2019ve got all you need and more, at fantastic prices!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"goSTOPS
goSTOPS Rishikesh has the perfect warm vibes.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

FAQs<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

How Can I Spend 2 Days In Rishikesh?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you just have 2 days in Rishikesh, it\u2019s best to spend most of your time around Lakshman and Ram Jhula bridge. Pop into all the interesting caf\u00e9s that you\u2019ll find when you stroll the bridge and also make sure you sit by the river Ganga too. You can also attend the evening aarti (prayer ritual) that takes place at Triveni Ghat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Is Famous In Rishikesh?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Rishikesh is famous for its yoga ashrams and its adventure activities like river rafting, bungee jumping, zip lining, rock climbing and camping. It\u2019s also a very spiritual place and is visited by several devotees who wish to take a dip in the holy river Ganga.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Many Days Are Enough For Rishikesh?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

To do justice to all the places that Rishikesh has to offer, it\u2019s ideally best to stay in Rishikesh for at least a week. If you\u2019re coming to take certificate yoga courses from an ashram, take into account the duration of the course.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When Is The Best Time To Visit Rishikesh?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

You can visit Rishikesh all year round but October to May is considered to be the best time. Remember that November to March is peak season and if you want less crowds, plan your trip when it\u2019s off season that\u2019s in April, May or June.
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Rishikesh is the land soaked in fascinating mythology and is the gateway to the Garhwal Himalayas. Breathtaking scenery, ample options for outdoor recreation and possibly a spiritual awakening are few of the things that await travelers making their way to Rishikesh. It\u2019s only a matter of \u2018when\u2019 and not \u2018if\u2019 you’ll travel there because it […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":18798,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_yoast_wpseo_title":"7 Best Things To Do In Rishikesh","_yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"From attending the awe-inspiring Ganga aarti to treading the footsteps of The Beatles, this list of 7 best things to do in Rishikesh covers it all and more.","footnotes":""},"categories":[23,24],"tags":[412,384,383,407,411],"class_list":["post-18797","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-india-travel","category-travel-guide","tag-exploring-rishikesh","tag-gostops-rishikesh","tag-river-rafting-in-rishikesh","tag-river-rafting-routes-in-rishikesh","tag-things-to-do-in-rishikesh"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/gostops.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18797","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/gostops.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/gostops.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gostops.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gostops.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=18797"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/gostops.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18797\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":18843,"href":"https:\/\/gostops.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18797\/revisions\/18843"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gostops.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/18798"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/gostops.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=18797"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gostops.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=18797"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gostops.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=18797"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}