Top things to see and do in Rishikesh
Triveni Ghat and the evening Ganga Aarti. The largest and most central bathing ghat in Rishikesh, Triveni Ghat is where the town gathers at dusk for the Ganga Aarti, a ceremony of fire, chant and devotion offered to the river. As the light fades, priests circle great flaming lamps, bells ring, hymns rise, and worshippers set tiny leaf-boats of flowers and lamps (diyas) adrift on the current. It is deeply atmospheric and free to attend; arrive well before sunset to find a spot on the steps, keep belongings close in the crush, and be respectful — this is worship, not a performance. There is a quieter morning ritual here too, and the ghat is a fine place to simply sit and watch the river.
Parmarth Niketan Ganga Aarti. Upstream in the Swargashram area, one of Rishikesh's largest ashrams hosts its own celebrated Ganga Aarti each evening on the ghat steps beside the river, led by resident students and often centred on a large statue of Lord Shiva at the water's edge. The chanting-and-lamps ceremony here has a communal, welcoming feel and is a highlight of many visitors' stay. It is open to all and free; simply arrive before dusk. Between the Parmarth and Triveni ceremonies you have two very different but equally moving versions of the same nightly devotion.
Ram Jhula and Laxman Jhula. The two iron suspension footbridges slung across the Ganges are the visual signature of Rishikesh, linking the ashram-and-temple quarters on the east bank with the town and yoga areas on the west. Ram Jhula, built in 1986, connects the Sivananda/Muni Ki Reti side to Swargashram (Gita Bhawan, Parmarth Niketan and the temples). Laxman Jhula, the older and more famous of the two, stood upstream near a cluster of multi-tiered temples and cafés. Note the recent history carefully: Laxman Jhula was closed to the public in 2019 after being declared structurally unsafe, and a new bridge — reported as Bajrang Setu, with a glass-panelled deck — has been built alongside to take its place. Ram Jhula, too, has been subject to renovation and safety restrictions in recent years. Bridge status here genuinely changes, so confirm which crossings are open before you set out; where the footbridges are shut, ferry boats shuttle between the banks. Either way, crossing the river on foot, high above the rushing green water with temples rising on both banks, is one of the essential Rishikesh experiences.
The Beatles Ashram (Chaurasi Kutia). The abandoned ashram of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, on the forested east bank inside what is now the Rajaji Tiger Reserve, is where the Beatles stayed in 1968 to study transcendental meditation — a visit during which they wrote a large part of the "White Album." Left to the jungle for decades, the site — properly called Chaurasi Kutia ("eighty-four huts") — was opened to visitors and is now a hauntingly overgrown complex of meditation cells, lecture halls and distinctive dome-topped "beehive" meditation huts, many covered in later murals and Beatles-themed graffiti. It is an evocative, contemplative wander for music fans and anyone drawn to faded utopias. There is an entry fee (approximately in the low hundreds of rupees for Indians and higher for foreign visitors), with set daytime opening hours; verify current fees and timings before visiting, and carry water, as it is a spread-out walk in the forest.
Yoga and meditation. More than a sight, this is the reason many people come. Rishikesh is saturated with yoga schools, ashrams and meditation centres offering everything from a single drop-in class to internationally recognised multi-week teacher-training courses (the 200-hour certification is a staple), alongside ayurveda, sound healing, pranayama and silent-meditation retreats. The scene concentrates in the Tapovan and Swargashram areas. Choose by style and seriousness rather than by name: casual travellers can join morning and evening classes without commitment, while dedicated students settle in for weeks. Ashram stays typically come with rules — simple vegetarian food, early hours, modest dress, sometimes silence or phone restrictions — which are part of the experience.
White-water rafting. The Ganges upstream of Rishikesh is India's most popular rafting river, running rapids graded roughly I to IV through a beautiful gorge. Trips are organised as sections of varying length and difficulty, with common put-in points at Shivpuri (about 16 km upstream, the busiest base), Brahmapuri and Marine Drive for gentler runs, and Kaudiyala (about 35 km up) for the bigger Grade IV water. The standard stretches end near town. The rafting season runs roughly September to June, and is suspended during the peak monsoon when the river is in spate (see the safety note below). Costs are per person and vary with the length of the run; verify current rates and regulations locally.
Bungee jumping and other adventure. The hills near Rishikesh (around Mohanchatti) host what is billed as India's highest fixed-platform bungee jump, at roughly 83 metres, along with a giant swing, a long zipline/flying fox, cliff jumping and other high-adrenaline activities run from purpose-built platforms. These are popular, professionally operated draws for the young crowd. As with rafting, prices vary; confirm current details before booking and read the safety note that follows.
Neelkanth Mahadev Temple. About 32 kilometres from Rishikesh, high in the forested hills, this important Shiva temple marks the spot where, by legend, Shiva drank the poison churned from the ocean during the Samudra Manthan — the toxin turning his throat blue and giving him the name Neelkanth, "the blue-throated one." The temple, with its carved gateway tower, is a major pilgrimage site, thronged especially at Maha Shivratri and during the monsoon Kanwar season. Entry is free; it is reached by a winding hill road (shared jeeps and taxis run up), and can be combined with a forest trek for the energetic.
Kunjapuri Devi Temple (sunrise point). A revered Siddhapeeth Shakti temple perched on a hilltop at around 1,676 metres, roughly 25–30 kilometres from Rishikesh, Kunjapuri is famous less for the shrine itself than for the panoramic Himalayan sunrise from its summit — on a clear morning you look out over snow peaks such as Swargarohini, Gangotri and Bandarpunch on one side and the Doon and Rishikesh valleys on the other. A short flight of steps leads to the top. Dawn trips leaving town in the dark are a popular half-day excursion; go on a clear autumn or winter morning for the best chance of the view.
Vashishta Gufa (Vasishtha Cave). About 25 kilometres upstream on the road toward Devprayag, this ancient meditation cave is associated with the sage Vashishta and remains an active, deeply peaceful retreat, cared for by an ashram. The dark, silent cave — where visitors sit to meditate — opens near a quiet stretch of the Ganges with a small sandy bank and a second cave (Arundhati) nearby. It is a serene antidote to the bustle of the bridges and a favourite of those seeking stillness. Entry is free; dress and behave as you would in any place of meditation.