Rishikesh is considered one of the holy cities of India and is easily reachable from Delhi. Unlike any other city, Rishikesh got a personality like a real person and behaves differently for every person who comes across it. It has got something to offer to everyone, some people find it adventurous, some find peace here and some find their inner self while taking a simple walk. You can easily take a day trip to Rishikesh from Delhi.

Always up for Rishikesh

Before this, I have been to Rishikesh twice. First one was for river rafting and the second time for bungee jumping and river rafting on the same day. But apart from being a hub of adventure activities Rishikesh also a place to calm yourself. This was one of those a day trips to explore Rishikesh on my own while I was coming back from my home village in Tehri, Uttarakhand.

Starting from mountains to Rishikesh

I started my journey from my village in the morning and it takes around 3 hours to cover the distance which is around 80 km. After reaching the bus stand I took an auto to the hotel I booked instead of waiting for the bus to Delhi which I usually do every time. I quickly put my travel backpack in the hotel and went to explore Rishikesh with my camera for rest of the day.

The road towards Laxman Jhula

My starting point was Laxman Jhua road which takes you Laxman Jhula. Don't take any auto because it will ruin the fun and you won't be able to have the same kind of experience. Try to take that narrow lane shortcut, here you will see many shops of antique and spiritual items.

After just a couple of minutes walk, you will again come out on road towards Laxman Jhula. Once you reach Laxman Jhula you can enjoy the view from one of the famous restaurants in Rishikesh "German Bakery".

Great view of Laxman Jhula and Trayambakeshwar Temple

German Bakery gives you an amazing view of Laxman Jhula and Trayambakeshwar Temple but doesn't order Indian food here because you might not like the taste and it's overpriced as well. But do enjoy some coffee and the view.

Laxman Jhula is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Rishikesh and its a little crowded on weekends and peak hours. If you want to enjoy the surrounding and the view, try to come early in the morning if you can. In the morning time at Laxman Jhula, you will see fewer people and more colors of Rishikesh.

After just crossing the Laxman Jhula towards the left side you can see Trayambakeshwar Temple. This is a 13 story Hindu Temple build along the bank of Ganges River. Each story in the temple has several idols of Hindu Gods. Alongside the temple, there is a ghat from where you can enjoy the view of Ganga River and Laxman Jhula.

Peacefull walk alongside Ganga in Rishikesh

If you are in a mood of a quite long walk then you can go further towards left Laxman Jhula. it's a road alongside the Ganga river on the left quite forest on the right. While taking the walk you might witness a few monkeys. Try to skip the walk late in the evening because it might get too dark at that time.

Find spiritual items, cafes and tattoo shop in Rishikesh market

Opposite to this quite place towards the right from Laxman Jhula you can go towards the marketplace which is really a great place for shopping for locals and foreign tourists as well. Here you will find many shops which are selling spiritual items, clothes and bags. You can even get a tattoo in this market of Rishikesh.

You might come across a lot of foreign tourists. The funny part is you might hear a lot for weird kind of English accent to entertain these tourists. But its fun to see how locals try to interact with foreigners whether is to sell something or to take a selfie or a photo with them.

A long and peaceful walk towards Ram Jhula

It's a long walk from this market to Ram Jhula but its worth the effort. During this walk, you will see Rishikesh from different viewpoints which are great for photographers who want to capture the beauty of Rishikesh.

After a few minutes of walk in the chaos of market, there is a long stretch of a quiet place. You might find some cafes here and even tattoo shops as well. Don't forget to ask for the way if you don't know which is the way to Ram Jhula.

Enjoying the perfect view of Ganga Beach with Ram Jhula

When you are about to reach Ram Jhula you will find a lot of places to just sit and enjoy the view of flowless Ganga River. You can also go to the Ganga beach and enjoy the sand or may take a bath as well.

Ganga Beach in Rishikesh

Just after the Ganga beach, you get the change to see picture perfect view of Ram Jhula in full stretch.

Amazing view of Ram Jhola

Ram Jhula is one of the famous landmarks of Rishikesh and must visit place in Rishikesh. It is about 450 feet long iron suspension bridge connecting Shivananda Ashram and Swargashram. Ram Jhula is one of the best places in Rishikesh to take a good view of the Ganga river and many temples around it.

Finding peace in Yoga city of India

Rishikesh is considered Yoga city of India and if you keep on walking even further from Ram Jhula you will find a lot of ashrams to learn and practice Yoga. One of the most popular ashrams you will find there is Paramarth Niketan. Its situated alongside the Ganga River. Inside the Paramarth Niketan ashram, you can even attend Satsang. Just outside the ashram, there is a ghat to take bath in Ganga.


Paramarth Niketan Ashram
Statue at Paramarth Niketan ashram ghat

At the same ghat, Ganga Aarti is held in the evening every day. If you are planning to attend the aarti then try to reach just before sunset.

Finding some food in Rishikesh

If you get hungry after all this walking then it time to find some good places have food and a cup of coffee. There are a lot of cafe and dhabas around Ram Jhoola where you can enjoy delicious food and the view of the free-flowing Ganga river. One of the best cafes you could find good food and coffee is the Madras Cafe after crossing Ram Jhola to the main side of Rishikesh.

Ganga view from a Cafe near Ram Jhoola

Ganga Aarti in Rishikesh

Best way to end your day in Rishikesh to attend Ganga Aarti in any of the Ghats of Rishikesh. Most famous place in Rishikesh to attend Ganga Aarti is in Triveni Ghat. But if you are around Ram Jhoola then you can attend the aarti in Paramarth Niketan ashram ghat or alongside Ram Jhula at Asthapath which is on the other side of Ganga river. Don't forget to take your camera to capture these amazing moments.

Ganga aarti at Ganga Ghat near Ram Jhoola
Night view of Rishikesh

Feeling after attending Ganga aarti is divine, it calms you down from within. Someone can just sit at the ghat after Ganga Aarti and enjoy the silence and reflection of lights from the other side Ganga on the holy water. Just sit and absorb all the positivity, you will need it when you come back from Rishikesh to the same hectic city life.