dark

Haridwar & Rishikesh – A Spiritual Journey

Haridwar & Rishikesh

There are several travel and tourist destinations in India which are worth travelling and will fascinate you with their calm nature, delicious food, varied diversity and rich culture. So when there are so many places to explore one of the best holiday destination is ‘Haridwar and Rishikesh’ in Uttarakhand. Located on the banks of holy river Ganga, the best thing about these places is their  calm and relaxing aura which makes you  feel the peace and spirituality  within yourself.

Travel Options

These places are well connected via roadways, airways and railways with state as well as national capital. The bus services between the towns of Haridwar and Rishikesh is cheap and perpetual, also the nearest airport Holy grant is only 20kms away from city of Rishikesh. One can easily reach there by railways as most people prefer .

For travelling various destinations the local public transport is both cheap and reliable.

Accommodation Options

Accommodation is not a problem at all at both Rishikesh and Haridwar ,the towns are flooded with a large number of hotels ,resorts and guesthouses. There are a lot of ashrams and dharmshalas where one can stay .Even the locals at these places are very peaceful friendly and supportive and speak local language with Hindi.

Famous Attractions

One can enjoy visiting numerous temples which are magnificently built, stroll along the river banks or have a holy dip in the cold and fresh water of Ganges and enjoy the beauty of this divine place. On visiting the sacred Hindu temples and ashrams you can feel and acknowledge the beauty of Hindu religion.

The famous tourist attractions at Haridwar include the temples of Chandadevi and Mansa Devi Temple ,the Bharat Mata temple and Har ki pauri. The grand ganga aarti  held at har ki pauri is a mesmerizing experience, the tiny diyas floating on water appear as floating lamps on river. Rajaji National Park situated between Haridwar and Rishikesh is a great place for adventure and nature enthusiasts. Some famous tourist attractions of Rishikesh include Lakshman jhoola, Neelkanth mahadev temple, Triveni ghat and the Beatles garden.

Food

 Being a popular destination for both tourists and pilgrims, there are a lot of famous restaurants and dhabas ,i myself tried the food of Chotiwala and that was a mouth watering experience. However due to its religious significance non vegetarian food and alcohol consumption is strictly prohibited in Haridwar.

Adventure Sports

Rishikesh is an absolute dream and heaven  for adventure enthusiasts, there are a number of adventure activities to enjoy including river rafting, mountain biking, kayaking, bungee jumping, flying fox, cliff jumping, rock climbing, zip lining and many more.

The river rafting in Rishikesh is popular all over India and the tempestuous waves of ganga makes it the most popular adventure activity. The best time for adventure seekers to enjoy these activities is post monsoon.

Yoga Meditation & Ayurveda

Haridwar and Rishikesh are a popular center for yoga ,Ayurveda and meditation .Rishikesh is even considered as the yoga capital of world. Tourists ,pilgrims , devotees and spiritual seekers visit Rishikesh for learning ancient techniques of yoga and meditation for awakening their inner selves and find the peace. Rishikesh is also believed as the birthplace of Ayurveda and spa therapies and it is believed that doing meditation in Rishikesh brings one closer to moksha. This holy place is also perfect for those who are willing to learn the ancient Ayurveda and spa practices .

I stayed at Haridwar and Rishikesh for a few weeks and every single day and every single morning when I used to take a glimpse from the top of my roof towards the north, I was mesmerized every single time. When it rains and the dust get settled, due to the clear atmosphere you can witness the mountains from far north and this looks wonderful.

So if you are seeking for peace ,spirituality or even adventure these spots are a nirvana for you. Visit these during any time of year and you will feel more rejuvenated, peaceful and closer to god than ever.

Read More About the Pilgrimage Sites

Frequently Asked Questions About Haridwar & Rishikesh

Q. Why is Haridwar famous?

A – Haridwar is considered a holy place for Hindus, hosting important religious events and serving as the gateway to several major places of worship. The Brahma Kund, the place where the nectar fell, is located at Har ki Pauri (literally, “steps of the Lord”) and is considered the holiest ghat in Haridwar.

Q. Which God is in Haridwar?

A – It is also said that Haridwar has been sanctified by the presence of three deities; Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh. It is said that the stone installed in the upper wall of Har ki Pauri bears the footprint of Lord Vishnu where the holy Ganges touches it at all times.

A – Which month is best to visit Haridwar?

A – While the city experiences a moderate climate throughout the year, the best time to visit Haridwar is between November and March as the weather is cool and pleasant when you are exploring the place. As we said earlier, Haridwar is a holy destination and has its share of religious festivals.

Q. Which temple is famous in Haridwar?

A – Mansa Devi Temple. Mansa Devi Temple is one of the most famous Hindu temples dedicated to Goddess Mansa Devi, and one of the major holy places to visit in Haridwar. The goddess is considered a form of Shakti and is believed to have emanated from the mind of Lord Shiva.

Q. What should I buy in Haridwar?

A – Intricately carved stone idols, worship utensils of pearl, copper and brass, glass bangles, cane baskets and jewelry are some of the most popular shopping items in Haridwar.

Q. Is Haridwar a hill station?

A – The ancient city of Haridwar is a very important place for Hindu pilgrims from all over the country. The huge influx of tourists and devotees every year has made the city the center of tourism on the mountains. There are many hill stations near Haridwar to choose from to elaborate your travel plans.

Q. Why is Rishikesh famous?

A – Rishikesh is mainly famous for its spiritual importance. Rishikesh is the beginning of the famous Char Dham Yatra (Gangotri, Yamunotri, Kedarnath, Badrinath). There are also several Ayurveda centers where you can experience ancient healing methods for the body and mind.

Q. Can I go to Rishikesh now?

A – Yes you can go there. Some activities are open but be careful. Wait a few more months. Despite the lifting of the lockdown by the government, the cases are increasing day by day.

Q. What is special in Rishikesh?

A – Rishikesh is a city of rich cultural history, a beautiful mountain range and the serene Ganges River flowing through it. The city perfectly blends the modern and the bygone era. There are a lot of unseen things that you can do in the city and one of them is on the banks of the river Ganges.

Q. Is alcohol banned in Rishikesh?

A – The city is a wine-dry destination because according to Hindu mythology, Rishikesh is a religious place, an important pilgrimage center in India. Consumption of alcohol is not allowed in public places and is not even served in any eatery or cafe, so keep that in mind!

Q. Which god is worshiped in Rishikesh?

A – Lord Shiva is the main deity who is worshiped here in Rishikesh. You will come across many structures and sculptures of Shiva while exploring the city. Many temples have been depicted to Lord Shiva such as the Trimbakeshwar temple which can be seen from the famous Lakshman Jhula.

Q. How many days are enough for Rishikesh?

A – The places of interest in Rishikesh are- Laxman Jhula, Triveni Ghat.. You can do rafting there.. Haridwar-Har Ki Pauri, Mansa Devi/Chandi Devi Temple.. You can also take a day/short trip from Rishikesh to Mussoorie . We stayed in Rishikesh for just two days, mainly for rafting and trekking.

Total
0
Shares
Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Previous Post
Mohenjodaro

Mohenjodaro & Harappa – Archaeological Ruins

Next Post
taxila

Taxila : History, Archaeological Value & Tourism

Related Posts