24 hours in Rishikesh: Time just flies here…
Hello all,
I am fascinated with walking endlessly in an unknown city, on unfamiliar streets, and in unexplored corners… observing people and their manners and listening to all the hustle-bustle. The main streets of small towns always amaze me. Walking is the best way you explore any city or any town. Nowadays, with all the drone shots and amazing drone videos we see on Instagram reels, we feel mesmerized. But there is nothing like walking in cities and towns with people at eye to eye level! It is not possible every time because we become tourists and take taxis or autos. But travellers or explorers in us always want to go on foot.
In Rigved, in Aitareya Brahman, Lord Indra tells Rohit, son of Harischandra, to move around and travel. When Rohit was going to the village after wandering into the forest for a while, Lord Indra came to him in human form and repeatedly sent Rohit to roam in the woods again and again for six years. He told him:
“There is no happiness for him who does not travel, Rohit! Thus we have heard.
Living in the society of men, the best man often becomes a sinner, which is best avoided by wandering to places; for Indra is surely the friend of the traveller. Therefore, wander!
The feet of the wanderer are like the flower, his soul is like growing and reaping the fruit, and his fatigues destroy all his sins in wandering. Therefore, wander!
The fortune of him who is sitting sits; rises when he rises; sleeps when he sleeps; moves when he moves. Therefore, wander!
A man who sleeps is like the Kali Yug (iron age); a man who awakes is like the Dvapara Yug (Bronze age); a man who rises is like the Treta Yug (silver age) and a man who travels is like the Krita Yug (Golden age). Therefore, wander! “
(You can read full text here).
If we see spiritually, religiously, physicallly or just out of curiosity walking and traveling are the best habits we can get, and we walked, walked, and walked for 24 hours on our day trip to Rishikesh.
The name is derived from lord Vishnu, composed of hṛṣīka meaning ‘senses’ and īśa meaning ‘lord’ for a combined meaning as ‘Lord of the Senses.
When we think of Rishikesh, we think of the “Yoga capital of the world,” or pictures of river rafting and bungee jumping will flash before our eyes. But Rishikesh is much much more than these. All these attractions came later, but the essence of this beautiful city lies only in River Ganga, which is cleaner here compared to its downstream parts, having green or blue water which changes with sunlight or is it in our perception?
We will share how we spent 24 hours in Rishikesh with kids who were euphoric at every turn of the city. If you want to visit and see this town, go on foot. As such, you can not take private vehicles on the city streets; you must rely on local taxis/jeeps or autos. An auto driver also sometimes drops you off ahead of your destination because he feels there might be a traffic jam ahead. So take on your comfy slippers or sandals (forget about heels and shoes also won’t do as you have to remove them at many places) and wander on!
1) White sand beach
Rishikesh has many beautiful white sand beaches, and one was right in front of our hotel H7 by the Ganges. The beach is clean, quiet, and peaceful, as it is far from the routine rush of the town. We played Hopscotch here and had some fantastic fun moments. There are many other white sand beaches near Laxman Jhula and Ram Jhula. Some people take baths here but beware, as the river currents are very rapid and fast. 
2) Boating in the river
There are boats to go across the river from Sachha Dham Beach near Lakshman Jhula. You can go on a ferry with nominal charges or hire a speed boat. They take you to Lakshman Jhula and then drop you off at the opposite bank. Kids loved this ride! This ride is a blessing as Lakshman Jhula is closed for maintenance. The rapid currents of the river make the ride more thrilling while returning from the bridge.
3) Walk, walk and walk
Walk in the streets and have a look at the culture. From Indian Sadhus to all foreigners dressed in Indian attires, Rishikesh has colorful and cheerful vibes! You can see as many foreigners as Indians here, and that too doing Yoga, dressed in salwar and kurta or sarees, absorbing our culture and celebrating that with us. You will get every kind of tourist here. Foreign backpackers to hippies. And what can I say about shopping? Plenty of souvenirs in the shops, from Tibetan musical instruments to hemp bags. From various agarbattis and dhup to wooden handicrafts. From comfortable flowy harem pants to precious stone jewelry, you can get everything here.
4) Ganga aarti and Parmarth Niketan Ashram
I was super duper excited about this. My main confusion was about Pramarth Niketan Ashram or Triveni Ghat. As we were late after our high tea on Saturday, our option was Parmarth Niketan only. The ceremony started beautifully one hour before the actual aarti with bhajans and kirtans sung by the students in their soothing and hypnotic voices, and this created a spiritual atmosphere. But afterward, it got little professional and that’s why, I was disappointed. Next time I am going to Triveni Ghat for sure.
But the ashram itself is terrific. The 14 feet, sky blue colored, serene, divine Bhagavan Shiv statue at the ghat is pure bliss. There are sculptures of Indian Mythological stories with idols of our Gods and Goddesses. Kids loved exploring all sections and narrating all stories, and few were unknown to us, so Google Baba came to the rescue.
5) Café hopping
This was Shaurya’s favorite activity. Rishikesh has excellent, eclectic boutique cafes and bakeries from all world cuisines. Some have hippie vibes, while some have a calm and serene atmosphere. Some overlook the Ganges, while some are along the main streets. Shaurya decided our all café hopping. We went to Ganga View café, The Arches café near Lakshman Jhula, Oasis cafe and German bakery, and a few roadside stalls for chat and kachoris. The view of Sarvajanic Ghat from Ganga café and the most iconic building of Rishikesh, the 13-storeyed Traymbkeshwar Mahadev temple, looming over the river from Café Arches, are sights to behold.
6) Sit at Ghats silently
I love Ghats, and Rishikesh has many beautiful and happening Ghats. The most we went to was Sarvajanik ghat or Bliss ghat or Sai ghat as per Google Maps. It is a little far and less crowded; you can sit and watch the river endlessly. We just felt thrilled watching all people passing from there doing river rafting. Their screams were proof of their enthrallment. Some concert was going on at night by the local band. They were playing fantastic fusion music. Kids were sleepy, so we couldn’t sit and listen to them, but we were mesmerized by whatever we heard. Some outdoor Gym equipments are also there. Another ghat we enjoyed was near Ram Jhula. Sitting there, we cherished the night view of the river while sipping hot tea from Kullhad.
7) Cross the bridges
Now how can you not walk on the famous bridges when you are in Rishikesh? The iconic Lakshman Jhula is closed for renovation, but we passed Ramjhula twice and Janki Jhula once.
It is said that Lakshman crossed the Ganga river using two jute ropes, and that’s where the present Lakshman Jhula was built. Lakshman Jhula collapsed in 2020. So now they are renovating it.
Another suspension bridge was built from Swarg Ashram on one side to Sivananda Ashram on the other, named Ram Jhula, built-in 1986. Don’t forget to go on this bridge at night, and it is thrilling. Two-wheeler taxis are also available to pass the bridge on either side. this bridge is very near to Parmarth Ashram so you can couple your evening Aarti with night walk on this bridge.
The third one is Janki Setu. It is the newest one. It is the first three-lane suspension bridge in Rishikesh, where the middle lane is for pedestrians, and the other two lanes are for vehicles. It is ornamented with fantastic paintings and connects Muni ki Reti with the Swargashram area. On one side, the pillar is decorated with different names of the river Ganga. It is said that the river Ganga has 108 names, and I don’t know how many are there on that pillar. whenever you go to Beatles ashram you can come to opposite side and from there you can get a taxi.
And according to Shaurya, now, after a few years, there will be Hanuman Setu in Rishikesh!
8) Beatles ashram
We spent 4 hours there, but it certainly needs a separate post. You can read about it here. .
So our 24 hours passed in a blink, and it was the perfect way to end our nearly perfect trek of Deoriatal-Tunganth -Chadrashila. The sacred river with mountains on either side, narrow streets, vibrant people, and transcendent culture make Rishikesh a unique city. It will strike the chords of your soul, and you will feel spirituality here even if you have not bent a muscle for Yoga. We have missed a few waterfall hikes, Triveni Ghat aarti, adventure sports, and Kunjapuri temple sunrise… for this, we will come soon to heart-warming Rishikesh!
That’s it.
Thank you.
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Helpful post, thank you!
Thank you…
Ah !
kajal u nailed it !
Think risihesk and i would like to say …………
This is the one of those place where humility briefly marries narcissism
Thank you so much for appreciation and your kind words. Yes! you have aptly described Rishikesh in one sentence.
Safarwithsasha goes one step ahead and makes routine vacation more piecefull
rightly said u dont need malls , Rides , Disocs ….. just simply family !!!
Thank you so much. All above mentioned things and places are what make Rishikesh unique in its own way.
Risikesh is the place they say where u see real heaven ! Its worth witnessing sky bowing down in front of the himalayas and thy called as devbhoomi !
reading your blog made me once again visit the place !
Keep on writing kajal !
Yes! Rishikesh is really Gateway to heaven. Truly Devboomi. It seems we can go again and again and never get tired of it.
Thank you so much.
Quality and not Quantity is that what matters
Just looking at above i would save Nirwana lies in your own soul !
Thank you so much. Yes! when we are with family it is always about quality. Days don’t matter.
Good Hobby & great time with Family!!!
Thank you…