Rishikesh:The holy city 

Abode of Gods-Rishikesh is one of India’s oldest pilgrimage centers. The entire surrounding area was called Kedarkhand (now Garhwal) in the past. The city got its present name from Hrishikesh – Lord of the senses, one of the names of Lord Vishnu.



Skanda Purana says that Raibhya Rishi performed penance on the banks of the Ganga in this place. Vishnu then blessed him and named the place as Rishikesh because here Rishi Raibhya had performed tapasya by controlling his senses.


Rishikesh is also called Agni Tirth – because once a fierce fire broke out in Rishikesh. Lord Shankar became angry with Agni and cursed him. Agni,then, prayed here for redemption, and so it became Agni Tirth.



Rama took bath here in the Ganges after slaying Ravana. Lakshmana crossed the river by building a bridge with the help of jute ropes. Lakshman jhoola is named in his honour. During the flood of 1924, the Lakshman Jhula was destroyed, and was then reconstructed in 1939.



During the 8th c Adi Shankaracharya, built several temples and ashrams in the region. Unfortunately, most of the temples and ashrams have been destroyed due to several earthquakes and floods that have affected the region over the centuries.


Bharat Mandir is the most ancient, and sacred temple in Rishikesh. Adi Shankaracharya reinstalled the presiding deity in the temple on the day of Basant Panchmi in 789 A.D. On this day every year the Shaligram is taken for a holy bath in the scared Mayakund.


Triveni Ghat is the biggest and most famous ghat in Rishikesh on the banks of Ganga. Lord Krishna visited this holy spot when he was hurt by an arrow shot by Jara. The ghat is famous for the Ganga aarti performed to the chants of Vedic hymns.

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