Rishikesh, also known as the 'place of sages' is 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 pilgrims but also for the people who are interested in meditation, 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 form across the world, is held here, every year, in February on the banks of the Ganga.

Rishikesh is one of the most popular pilgrim centres and gateway to the Himalayan Shrines of Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri and Yamunotri. The Yoga Centres of Rishikesh have enhanced the significance of the place.

From this point on, the great Ganges leaves behind her mountain home and enters the vast plains of Northern India.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Area : 11.20 sq.km.
Altitude : 356 metres.
Temperature (deg C): Summer- Max.44.4, Min.29; Winter- Max.32.2, Min.18.3.
Clothings : Summer- Cotton & tropical; Winter- Heavy woollen.
Languages Spoken : Garwali, Hindi, Punjabi, English.
Best Season : Throughout the Year.

TRANSPORT AND COMMUNICATION

Air: The nearest airport is Dehradun (Jolly Grant), 35 kms from Haridwar.

Rail: Rishikesh is connected by rail via Haridwar (24 kms), to Howrah, Bombay, Delhi, Lucknow, Varanasi, Dehradun and other cities.

Road: By road Rishikesh to Haridwar 24 kms, Dehradun 47 kms, Mussoorie 77 kms, Badrinath 301 kms (Son Prayag), Kedarnath 228 kms, Gangotri 258 kms, Yamunotri 288 kms (Hanuman Chatti), Srinagar 105 kms, Joshimath 252 kms.

Bus Services: Haridwar is connected by bus with Agra, Chandigarh, Dehradun, Kullu, Manli, Shimla, Rishikesh etc.

PLACES OF INTEREST

Bharat Temple (1.6 kms) [ Open from 0500 to 1100 hrs and 1300 to 2100 hrs ],
Rishi Kund & Raghunath Temple (1.6 kms),
Laxman Jhoola (6.7 kms),
Pushkar Temple (1.6 kms),
Shatrughan Temple,
Muni-Ki-Reti (4.8 km),
Swarg Ashram,
Gita Bhawan,
Parmath Niketan (8 km),
Lakshman Temple,
Sadanand Jhoola,
Triveni Ghat,
Shivanand Ashram,
Kailash Ashram,
Academy of Meditation.

EXCURSIONS

Haridwar (24 kms), Dehradhun (45 kms), Kedarnath (228 kms), Badrinath (203 kms), Gangotri (253 kms), Yamunotri (226 kms), Nilkanth (16 kms), Mussoorie (77 kms).

YOGA ASHRAMS
Divine Life Society, Shivananda Nagar.
Yoga Niketan, Muni-Ki-Reti.
Academy of Meditation (M. Mahesh Yoga Ashram) Shankaracharya Nagar.
Yoga & Meditation Centre (Yoga Sadhana Ashram), Railway Road.