Rishikesh

Rishikesh Rishikesh
city
Population  (2001)
• Total	59,671

Rishikesh (Template:Lang-hi), also spelled Hrishikesh, is a city and a municipal board in Dehradun district in the Indian state of Uttarakhand. It is holy city for Hindus and a famous centre of pilgrimage.

It is also known as the gateway to the Himalayas and is located around 25 kilometres away from another holy city, Haridwar. Rishikesh is the starting point for traveling to the sites that form the Char Dham pilgrimage — Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri, and Yamunotri.

History

"Hṛṣīkeśa" (Template:Lang-sa) is a name of Vishnu that means 'lord of the senses'. Rishikesh is a holy city for Hindus located in the foothills of the Himalaya in northern India. The place gets its name after Lord Vishnu who appeared to 'Raibhya Rishi', as a result of his tapasya (austerities), as Lord Hrishikesh . In Skanda Purana, this area is known as 'Kubjamrak' as Lord Vishnu appeared, under a mango tree.

Historically, Rishikesh, has been a part of the legendary 'Kedarkhand' (the present day Garhwal), the abode of Shiva. Legends state that Lord Rama did penance here for killing Ravana, the demon king of Lanka; and Lakshmana, his younger brother, crossed the river Ganga, at a point, where the present 'Lakshman Jhula' (लक्ष्मण झूला) bridge stands today, using a jute rope bridge. The 'Kedar Khand' of Skanda Purana, also mentions the existence of Indrakund at this very point. The jute-rope bridge was replaced by iron-rope suspension bridge in 1889, and after it was washed away in the 1924 floods, it was replaced by a stronger present bridge. There is an interesting story about this place. Lord Rama did his meditation and other ritual on this bank and the flowing water of the river Ganga was disturbing him so out of rage Laxman shot an arrow in the river. From then onwards the river here surprisingly is very quiet; at night you will pass over the bridge without even knowing that a river is flowing below. Even today, the western bank of the bridge has a Lakshmana temple, and across it lies a temple dedicated to Lord Rama; also present near by is a temple of his other brother, Bharata, which also finds mention in the 'Kedar Khand'. Ramjhula - bridge over the Ganga was made by the Indian government this is not a historical or belongs to any Purana or other Religious book its official name at the time of inauguration was Sivananda bridge.

View across the Lakshman Jhula bridge

Ram Jhula Bridge across Ganga, at Muni Ki Reti, built in 1980s.

The sacred river Ganga flows through Rishikesh. In fact, it is here that the river leaves the Shivalik mountains in the Himalayas and flows out into the plains of northern India. Several temples, ancient as well as new, can be found along the banks of the Ganges in Rishikesh. The city attracts thousands of pilgrims and tourists each year, from within India, as well as from other countries. Rishikesh, sometimes nicknamed "the world capital of Yoga", has numerous yoga centres that also attract tourists. It is believed that meditation in Rishikesh brings one closer to attainment of moksha, as does a dip in the holy river that flows through it. It is also becoming a popular spot for white water rafting enthusiasts, both from India and abroad, as it offers medium to rough rapids in the course of river Ganges.

A statue of Shiva on the Ganges River.

A Hindu temple in Rishikesh

The name Rishikesh is loosely applied to an association of five distinct sections encompassing not only the town but also hamlets and settlements on both sides of the river Ganges. These include Rishikesh itself, the commercial and communication hub; the sprawling suburb Muni-ki-Reti or the "sands of the sages"; Shivananda Nagar the home of Sivananda Ashram and the Divine Life Society founded by Swami Sivananda, north of Rishikesh; the temple section of Lakshman Jhula, a little further north; and the assorted Ashrams around Swarg Ashram on the east bank. One can reach the famous Neelakanta Maha Deva Temple from here. The Ganga Arati performed at dusk at the Triveni Ghat is popular with visitors. 'Neelkanth Mahadev Temple', situated 12 km from Rishikesh, amidst forest is also a popular local pilgrimage, along with 'Vasishtha Gufa', (Cave of sage Vasishtha), 21 km up from the town by the Ganges.

Rishikesh is also home to the 120-year old Kailas Ashram Brahmavidyapeetham, an institution dedicated to preserve and promote the traditional Vedantic Studies. Prominent personalities such as Swami Vivekananda, Swami Rama Tirtha and Swami Shivananda have studied in this institution.

In February 1968, The Beatles visited the now-closed Maharishi Mahesh Yogi's ashram in Rishikesh. John Lennon even recorded a song here, titled, 'The Happy Rishikesh Song'. The Beatles composed nearly 48 songs during their time at the Maharishi's ashram, many of which appear on the White Album. Several other artists, including Mike Love of The Beach Boys, Donovan and Gyp Mills, visited the site to contemplate and meditate. More recently, the place has been visited by Hollywood star Kate Winslet.

The Tehri dam is just 80 km uphill on the way to Gangotri.

Geography

Rishikesh is located at 30.12°N 78.32°E / 30.12; 78.32. It has an average elevation of 532 metres (1,745 feet).

Demographics

Panoramic photography of rishikesh.

As of 2001 India census, Rishikesh had a population of 59,671. Males constitute 56% of the population and females 44%. Rishikesh has an average literacy rate of 75%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 80%, and female literacy is 68%. In Rishikesh, 12% of the population is under 6 years of age.

Adventure Sports

The city has emerged as the Adventure Capital of India. As adventure travelers from all around the world come here to enjoy white water river rafting on the holy Ganges and enjoy other allied activities like kayaking, body surfing, etc.

See also

• Veerbhadra

External links

• Rishikesh at Dehradun district official website
• Rishikesh Guide
• Ayurveda Panchkarma, Reiki and Various courses at Govt. Recognised center
• Yoga Teacher Training and Kundalini/Tantra Yoga Rishikesh
• Vanamali Ashram
• Delhi to Rishikesh-Shivpuri-Devprayag
• Ram Jhula photo impressions
• Himalayan Weavers producing fair trade scarves, shawls and stoles using natural dyes and wool, eri silk and pashmina
• Adventure Travel in Rishikesh
• Template:Wikitravel