Tickle in your Rishikesh trip 2022
Rishikesh is a name known worldwide, or it will be better if we call it the yoga capital around the globe. The place is located on the banks of the Ganges, the holiest river of Indian rivers. It is not just known for yoga, but it has mythological and religious significance. It is believed that the city was established during the 9th century AD by Adi Shankaracharya, and it is also associated with Lord Bharat and Lord Vishnu.
Apart from the mythological & religious facts, the place is a mixture of positivity and immense natural beauty due to the Garhwal Himalayas and the River Ganges cutting right through the city. It becomes a perfect landscape when you see greenery, river, mountains, clear skies all in one frame; you might have even imagined that in your mind till now by reading.
Rishikesh is recognized for its yoga ashrams, architectural marvels, and many grand temples: the thirteen-story Trimbakeshwar Temple, Neelkanth Mahadev Temple, or Raghunath Temple. This place attracts many tourists from different countries and connects many to the ancient form of meditation, yoga, which clears their minds to release their stress.
Not only for spirituality, but Rishikesh is also known for its adventure activities. It has many adventure activities to offer for enthusiasts that will make your vacation one of the best. So these are some of the fantastic things that you can do in Rishikesh along with your travel buddies.
River Rafting
Your Rishikesh trip is incomplete without experiencing river rafting, and it is the best thing that complements the location apart from yoga. If you want to experience the high adrenaline rush, it is the best thing to experience, and enjoyment between the gurgling Ganges will give you thrills.
It is one of the things that should be on your bucket list; you get many route options and one of the most preferred ones is from Rishikesh to Bramhpuri, which is just 9 km long but it is one of the shortest routes, but you will experience the amazing scenic beauty & along with that the level 1 and level 2 rapids.
If you are looking for a little longer one, you have the option of 15 km, which is from Rishikesh to Shivpuri, it includes grade 3 rapids and if you want to experience extreme, opt for the 25 km route that covers the journey from Rishikesh to Marine Drive, and it offers 12 rapids of grade 3 & even above.
The charges for river rafting ranges from Rs 550 to Rs 3000, depending upon the distance and the best time for rafting is in the summers & early monsoon.
Bungee Jumping
Rishikesh is the hub for adventure seekers, it offers extreme river rafting but apart from that, you can enjoy Bungee Jumping. It has the first fixed platform bungee jumping in the country.
This activity will help increase your adrenaline rush and be one of the thrilling times you will enjoy. You will get the opportunity to experience the highest bungee jumping point with a height of 83 meters. You will be provided with every safety briefing, and if you attempt this jump successfully, you will get the certificate of ‘Dare to Jump’ along with a badge.
The jump has every safety gear, and it is designed by the experts from New Zealand, and they have highly trained professionals who instruct you with all the procedures.
You must not miss this opportunity to experience the highest bungee jumping point in India, and it will be worth your money. The bungee jumping costs around Rs 4,000 per person.
Lakshman Jhula
The Lakshman Jhula is one of the most iconic spots. It is believed that the Lakshman (brother of Lord Rama) crossed the river Ganges with the jute rope at the same place where the Lakshman Jhula is built. The construction of the bridge was completed in the year 1929, and since then it has attracted a lot of tourists.
You can take a walk around it and explore the local markets & shops nearby, it is one of the busiest places. Still, in 2020, it was decided that the bridge is now restricted for pedestrian access and is also in the planning to permanently close the bridge once the replacement bridge is ready in the parallel.
You must visit the place and walk around as it is just like exploring the city in the streets.
Ganga Aarti
One of the very famous and religious practices for Hindus. When you are visiting the religious place you must experience the Ganga Aarti at the Triveni Ghat, that incredible chanting sound gives you satisfaction like heaven, the positive vibes, and that surrounding attaches a string, you will remember it for the lifetime that you experienced something like this.
The whole ghat lits up with the diyas. River Ganga is worshipped and it attracts a lot of tourists. The Ganga Arti happens every day from 6 pm to 7 pm daily and when you see so many diyas floating in water, it seems mesmerizing.
The arti is conducted by the Vedic Priest, and they start with the mantras, bhajans, prayers, and rituals which go in a very well-coordinated manner. You can experience the ‘Maha Arti’ at the Triveni Ghat, and it is one of the activities that you should not miss.
Cliff Jumping
If you are an adventure enthusiast and love trying new things, you must try cliff jumping in Rishikesh. As mentioned Rishikesh has many things to do, so one of those is cliff jumping.
Even if you are a beginner and have never tried this before, you can try it here as the experts will be guiding you and you will thoroughly enjoy it. You might have seen this in the movies jumping off the cliff and going into the water, and this is exactly like that.
The cliffs are embraced with the Ganges river, and you can experience the cliff jumping of 20 feet and it will be 10 feet if the level of water rises. The cliff jumping costs around Rs 3,500 per person, and the minimum age for the activity is 14 years. So don’t forget to try it and enjoy the jump in chilled water.
Body Surfing
Ever thought of becoming a fish or floating like a fish, but someone said suitable that life gives you many unexpected opportunities, and it suites the body surfing activity as well.
Everything does not need the enthusiasts, but sometimes you need to try new things.
Body Surfing is an adventure activity but the easy one, and you do not need any kind of training for the same, and it is one of the favorite activities in the town.
It is like the body floats on the waves and along with the motion of the river current, but you need to streamline your body. If you are scared of doing other adventure activities you can try body surfing in the Ganges river and it will satisfy you & will also relax your brain.
The minimum age required for the activity is 8 years, and you can enjoy the action from 6 am to 7 pm. Rishikesh is famous for its body surfing rapids, and you can try it for free if you are trying river rafting.
Trekking
Rishikesh has beautiful mountains and lush greenery around and if you are going with your young pals, how can you not plan trekking. Your trip will be considered incomplete without this.
You have the fantastic opportunity to explore the land of Rishikesh and try out from beginner to expert level treks. You also have the option of waterfall trekking which is quite an easy one, but you will enjoy a bunch, surrounded by the beauty of nature and fresh air, what else you need during the vacation.
If you are planning for trekking, avoid going during the monsoons, rest you can trek anytime. You can explore the Neelkanth Mahadev trek, Waterfall trek, Kunjapuri trek and in the trek path you will enjoy the combined experience of forest, mountains, and river.
Ayurvedic Massage
So much stress in the workstation, competitive life, and workload but this ayurvedic massage will give you the best feeling, no matter whatever tension or stress you have it is an antidote to that.
Ayurveda was originated in India, and what is better than experiencing it in the holy land of Rishikesh in between the fresh air. It is one of the most things that you should try and you can choose different centres for the massage. Some of the best places are Ayurveda Bhavan, Hemadri Ayurvedic Center, and Ananda in the Himalayas, imagine the peace & view, it is so satisfying even in the imagination.
The ayurvedic massage usually costs Rs 1,000 on average and they will combine many practices that will relax you at its best.
Hot Air Balloon
How many times, you must have felt to watch the world from the sky and fly like a bird, but here you can’t precisely fly like a bird but you can see the world from the sky. It is one of the favourite activities of travelers and does not have anything scary.
You can enjoy the things from above and the cold breeze and look at the incredible city with a different view. The best thing is, it does not have anything to do with strength or fitness, you have to board on the hot air balloon. The hot air balloon ride costs Rs 1,000 on average and that’s it you are ready to enjoy the panoramic view.
Beatles Ashram
Being in the yoga capital of India, you can not afford to miss the Beatles Ashram, which is located on the eastern bank of the river Ganges. It is the place where Beatles made their way in India and studied meditation from Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, and at present, it is one of the most incredible places you will find to hang out with your squad.
You can see the cool graffiti art on the walls, which will give you perfect photographs for social media. You can look at the artifacts and the stories related to the Beatles’ visit. It costs Rs 150 for Indian travelers but Rs 600 for foreign travelers.
Trayambakeshwar Temple
Don’t forget to visit the thirteen-storey temple that is located at the bank of river Ganges but while you visit the Lakshman Jhula, you will get the amazing look of the greenery & the temple.
The temple is devoted to multiple gods & goddesses, and at the top, Lord Shiva is placed. It is one of the architectural marvels, and you get to worship multiple gods & goddesses at the same place. You can visit the Trayambakeshwar temple from 6 am till 12 pm.
So these are some of the best locations & activities that you must explore on your trip to Rishikesh and enjoy the local food, along with shopping in the streets and enjoying the trip.
edited and proofread by nikita sharma
