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| Rishikesh,
a most tranquil place in northern Uttar Pradesh, surrounded by hills and
bisected by the wide and sluggish Ganges, is often claimed as the `Yoga
Capital of the World'. |
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| Back
in the 1960s Rishikesh gained instant fame as the site where The Beatles
came to stay with their guru, the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. It is an excellent
place to meditate and study yoga. |
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Rishikesh
is also a good starting point for treks to Himalayan pilgrimage centres
such as Badrinath, Kedarnath , Gangotri, Yamnotri.It is rightly called
the gateway to the Himalayan Shrines of Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri
and Yamunotri. Situated 24 km upstream from Haridwar, at the confluence
of the Chandrabhaga and Ganga, Rishikesh has long been a spiritual centre.
It is said that the sage Raibhya Rishi did
severe penance here and as a reward, God appeared to him in the form of
Hrishikesh, hence the name. |
| Rishikesh
has numerous ashrams, some of which are internationally recognized as centers
of philosophical studies, yoga and meditation. An international yoga week
is organized here every year by U.P. Tourism between 2nd and 7th of February.
For the adventurous, there are opportunities for white water rafting on
the Ganga. The climate here is continental type but its location in the
foot hills gives it a pleasant weather throughout the year. One can visit
Rishikesh any time of the year. |
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The town of Rishikesh
lies in the foothills of the Garhwal region. It is the gateway to the upper
Garhwal region and the starting point for pilgrim routes to the four dhams
of Uttarakhand-Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri and Yamunotri. The Ganga
flows through the town and is worshipped here. After this it descends to
the plains at Haridwar.The whole place is considered to be sacred as it
is believed that meditation at this place leads to attainment of salvation.
There are many temples-some ancient, some new along the river Ganges. The
River side is dotted by the ashrams of Sadhus and sages.
SHOPPING:
Being a pilgrimage place, the glamour of big shop bargains are absent but
Rishikesh offers you handicraft items made of Shells,
beads and pearls. Sarees, Kurtas, sheets and rugs can be purchased
from here. You can buy these items from the government approved U.P handloom
shop, Khadi Bhandar, Garhwal wool and craft shop etc.
| Area |
11.20 sq.km. |
| Altitude |
356 meters. |
| Temperature
(deg C) |
Summer - Max.44.4,
Min.29; |
| Winter
- Max.32.2, Min.18.3. |
| Clothing |
Summer- Cotton
& tropical; |
| Winter- Heavy
woollen. |
| Languages
Spoken |
Garhwali,
Hindi, Punjabi, English. |
| Best Season |
Throughout
the Year. |
TRANSPORT
AND COMMUNICATION
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Air :
The nearest airport is Dehradun (Jolly Grant), 25 kms. Vayudoot services
operates from Delhi to Dehradun (Jolly Grant).
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Rail:
Rishikesh is connected by rail via Haridwar (24 kms), to Howrah, Bombay,
Delhi, Lucknow, Varanasi, Dehradun and other cities.
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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.
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Bus Services:
Haridwar is connected by bus with Agra, Chandigarh, Dehradun, Kullu, Manli,
Shimla, Rishikesh etc.
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