by Rishikesh is a popular destination among the Hindu pilgrims and spiritual seekers. The trekking in this beautiful Himalayan town makes for an unforgettable experience, especially for those who want to be away from their everyday life and also on tasting the Indian culture. But there are various other ways of experiencing this place. The town is also famous for its thermal springs, which has medicinal properties and offers a range of treatments.
There are many opportunities to practice meditation in this town. Apart from the temple, you can find many ashrams, religious headquarters and spiritual centres in the town that provide not only a place to meditate but also to take a pilgrimage. This place is also visited by nature lovers. Hiking through the forest or trekking along the hillside gives you an endless list of experiences when you are travelling around Rishikesh.
Places and best time to visit Rishikesh
March to June – The best time of the year to visit Rishikesh is March to June. The weather is pleasant, the town is less crowded and you also get many discounts. But keep in mind that the hill roads are not open if you are driving up from Haridwar during this season. Also remember that if you want to enjoy a long rafting session, it will be postponed until rains begin in July-August.
November to February – You can enjoy the snowfall during this season. However, if you are planning to go up from Haridwar and head for Rishikesh, you should plan to stay back till the end of November. During this time, the temperatures are cold and pleasant.
February to March – The ideal time to visit Rishikesh is between these two seasons. The weather is pleasant and there is no snowfall in the town at this time.
Where to stay in Rishikesh
There is a large variety of accommodation available in Rishikesh. Most of them are located near the town. But if you are travelling from Haridwar, you will have to travel a lot before you find any place of your choice. The best time to visit Rishikesh is during the months mentioned above.
Places to visit near Rishikesh
Chandrkuta Temple – This is a wonderful temple where you can find many ancient statues. The frescos of this huge structure are a wonder to behold. Chandrkuta is considered as the most sacred shrine in the town. While visiting here, you should not forget to visit Bagmati River and other parts of Rishikesh.
Anna More- The place is famous for its excellent quality banana plantation. You can visit this place between March and November and enjoy a cup of tea in a typical Nepali style. The waterfall here is known by the name Ganga More.
Himalayan Tiger Reserve – This is a place where you can see many varieties of wildlife. It is located in the Pauri district, which is also near Rishikesh. This reserve is full of good tiger sightings.
Things to do in Rishikesh
Enjoying the hot sulphur water and relaxing in a mineral bath is a special experience. You can also enjoy the healing waters of natural springs here. You can also find many ashrams and religious centres here which provide you not only a place to meditate but also to take a pilgrimage. The town is also visited by nature lovers. Hiking through the forest or trekking along the hillside gives you an endless list of experiences when you are travelling around Rishikesh.
Conclusion
Rishikesh provides you an opportunity to practice meditation in a spiritual environment. The town provides you a chance to explore the natural beauty of the place. It is a good place to spend a number of happy hours and also when you are planning to come over there with your family, children and friends, you will have an enjoyable experience here.
