Rishikesh & Haridwar

 

Rishikesh & Haridwar

 

The yoga and meditation capital of the world.

Best time to visit: September to March

Popular attractions: Ganges River, Evening Aarti Ceremony, Temples, Har-Ki-Pauri, Ashrams

 

Overview

Located in the Himalayan foothills, Rishikesh and Haridwar are considered the ‘twin national heritage cities’. While Haridwar lets you soak in its religious aura, Rishikesh presents a different proposition altogether with a great mix of recreation of sightseeing.

Rishikesh, the birthplace of Ayurveda, is a city that offers a stimulating blend of grand temples, architectural wonders, and adventure sports. It is an ideal destination not only for pilgrims but also for those who want to delve deeper into spirituality, yoga and other aspects of ancient practices. The sacred rivers and mountains make a perfect stage for yoga and reflective hikes.

Haridwar, the gateway to the Gods, is situated on the right bank of the holy Ganges and is regarded among the seven sacred cities of India. Haridwar is also, the gateway to the four major pilgrimages- the Char Dham - Kedarnath, Badrinath, Gangotri and Yamunotri. According to Hindu mythology, Haridwar is one of the four places where the drops of Amrita, the elixir of immortality, accidentally spilled over from the pitcher or Kumbha, in which it was being carried away by Garuda, the celestial bird and the vehicle of Lord Vishnu. It is, therefore, one of the four venues where the Kumbh Mela 'said to have the largest congregation of humanity anywhere in the world' is held once every 12 years.

 

Yoga & Meditation

The Beatles put the spotlight on Rishikesh when they visited this small Indian city back in 1968. But the truth is that saints, yogis, and practitioners have come here for ages to deepen their yoga, become instructors, or even attain enlightenment.

Situated along the holy Ganges, Haridwar is famous for its temples and ghats where pilgrims bathe to relieve themselves of their sins and achieve salvation. Haridwar is also home to several ashrams which specialise in teaching meditation and yoga.

 

Adventure

Rishikesh is blessed by nature as it is situated at a high altitude and is located by the roaring Ganges. Great for the adventurous, as this is the perfect place for starting trekking expeditions and excursions towards the Himalayan peaks.