Rishikesh - Gateway to the Himalayas....
Rishikesh represents the Gateway to the Himalayas in the Tehri-Garhwal region of Uttar Pradesh. It abounds in natural splendour. The spectacle of the Ganga rushing through the Himalayan foothills is an awesome sight. Several temples dot the banks of the Ganga at Rishikesh.
Rishikesh is located at a height of about 1360 feet above sea level. It is believed that several yogis and sages lived and practised penance here. Rishikesh represents the site where Lord Vishnu vanquished the demon Madhu. हृषीकेश is a name of Lord Vishnu that means 'lord of the senses'. Rishikesh is a holy city for Hindus located in the foothills of the Himalaya in northern India. The place got its name after Lord Vishnu who appeared to 'Raibhya Rishi', as a result of his tapasya (austerities), as Lord Hrishikesh . In Skanda Purana, this area is known as 'Kubjamrak' as Lord Vishnu appeared, under a mango tree
Rishikesh derived from the word Hrishikesh, is another name of Lord Vishnu, who is said to have destroyed the demon Madhu here. Legend also has it that Lord Rama, on the advice of the sage Vasishtha, sought penance here after having killed Ravana. Thus in Sanskrit, Rishikesh means 'he who has conquered his senses'.
Historically, Hrishikesh, has been a part of the legendary 'Kedarkhand' (the present day Garhwal), the abode of Shiva. Legends state that Lord Rama did penance here for killing Ravana, the demon king of Lanka; and Lakshmana, his younger brother, crossed the river Ganga, at a point, where the present 'Lakshman Jhula' bridge stands today, using a jute rope bridge. The 'Kedar Khand' of Skanda Purana, also mentions the existence of Indrakund at this very point.
The sacred river Ganga flows through Rishikesh. In fact, it is here that the river leaves the Shivalik mountains in the 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.
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Rishikesh, sometimes nicknamed "the world capital of Yoga", has numerous 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.
Rishikesh became famous when Beatles visited now defunct Mahesh Yogi Ashram.They composed some of their songs on the bank of the river.
Lachman Jhoola....The main attraction of Rishikesh. It is a suspended bridge, built in 1939. Surajmal Nagarmal, the famous merchants of Calcutta paid the cost of the bridge.Just across the bridge, on the other side two temples will certainly attract attentions by their sheer heights! One is 13 storied temple and the other one is 12 storied temple… Visit them if you have ample time. Deities are placed all over the temples from ground 0 to upwards…
The name Rishikesh is loosely applied to an association of five distinct sections encompassing not only the town but also hamlets and settlements on both sides of the river Ganges.North of Rishikesh; the temple section of Lakshman Jhula, a little further north; and the assorted Ashrams around Swarg Ashram on the east bank. One can reach the famous Neelakanta Maha Deva Temple from here. The Ganga Arati performed at dusk at the Triveni Ghat is popular with visitors.
The temple is very old and Shrabanimela, every year in mid July , occurs here.
About a Km from entrance of Ram Jhoola( Also known as Shivananda Jhoola) is Geeta Bhavan . The epics, Ramayana and Mahabharata are sculpted on its wall. It is run by famous Geeta Press of Gorakhpur and was established in 1950. Ram Jhoola is longer and wider than its younger brother. It is too a hanging bridge.You can feed the fishes in the river from here.
On Triveni Ghat In the evening The Sandhya Aaarti just like Haridwar is performed here too. But it is not as gorgeous as Haridwar.But the scenic beauty of this place gave it another dimension.
Rishikunda and Raghunathji Mandir are adjacent to it.About ½ km away is Bharat Mandir built by Adiguru Shankarcharya. The main deity is Lord Vishnu, carved out one piece Shaligram.It was destroyed by Taimur in 1398 and it was rebuilt afterwards.One thing caught my mind, in Rishikesh all the four brothers are worshipped in different temples. Raghunathji and Bharat mandir in Triveni Ghat area, Laxman mandir near Lachman Jhoola and Shatrughna mandir near Muni ki reti area.
From tourist point of views Rishikesh can be divided into 3 parts.
1. Laxman Jhoola and adjoining mandirs.
2. Ram Jhoola and adjoining ashrams and Yoga study centers
3. Triveni Ghat and adjoining mandirs.
|| ॐ नमः शिवाय ||
