Rishikesh is known as the yoga capital of India where you will be able to see foreigners more than Indians. It’s not like the Indians do not visit much but most of them travel to Rishikesh only for the Neelkanth temple. 24 kilometres from Haridwar, Rishikesh is famous among the young population only for adventure sports as it has India’s highest bungee point. Along with some wonderful vibes, Rishikesh is highly affordable and one of the best destinations for solo travelling.
There is no direct railway station to Rishikesh, therefore you have to reach Haridwar and within 30 minutes of the auto ride, you will be at Tapovan, the main market spot of Rishikesh. For the air route, you have to arrive at Dehradun Airport and cover the rest of the route with a state bus. Uttarakhand is one of the safest states in India and the people are extremely cooperative and polite. There are fewer hotels and more hostels in Rishikesh which are very affordable and the scenery for your hostel terrace can blow your mind. Many people book a hostel for a long period just to do remote jobs. It is a different experience to doing remote jobs from the mountain and you can soon become addicted to it. Ram Jhula and Lakshman Jhula stay crowded all day and especially in the evening you can see many people doing their jamming sessions there. Just below Lakshman Jhula, the continuous flow of river Ganga touches the small pebbles in the bank and while you put your feet you feel a different world. The streets of Rishikesh will also offer you a different vibe as the local people are not judgmental like in other states of India. When you see people walking in sandals, wearing bohemian pants, you will surely feel the need to adopt that style immediately. Rishikesh is not a religious place at all but you can feel the spiritualism in the air. In many souvenir shops, you can hear the music of mantras that add up some calmness to the environment. There are many small restaurants and dhabas in the streets of Rishikesh and all foods are very much affordable. If you compare the quantity of food that is being served with the price, it is quite good. As we know that foreigners visit Rishikesh more than Indians, it's not a modern phenomenon but a very natural fact since the 1970s. We all know about the famous music band Beatles, who visited Rishikesh a long time back for meditation. At that time Chaurasi Kutia used to be active and people often visited that place for meditation. Chaurasi Kutia is located at a few minute's walking distance from Ram Julah and consists of several small cottages used for meditation and chanting. However, this place is not active anymore but is one of the famous tourist attractions in Rishikesh, and it is commonly known as Beatles Ashram. Youngsters mainly visit Rishikesh for adventure sports like river rafting, bungee jumping, and flying fox but river rafting is the most engaging activity. It’s a different experience when you will fight with the waves to reach your final destination. Nothing to worry about because you will be in a group of eight people directed by two experienced captains. As you will cross each big wave you can hear the hauling of “Har Har Gange” which will boost your energy and defeat all fears.
Rishikesh is a must-visit place for individuals who are looking for affordable destinations. Yes, scam stars are common in India, especially in tourist places but with growing experiences you will be able to tackle them.
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