Rishikesh, Uttarakhand

Discover Rishikesh

Rishikesh has been a rest stop for holy men and pilgrims heading to the Himalayas to seek purity since ancient times, but the Beatles really put this spiritual destination on the map when they visited the ashram (spiritual hermitage) of the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi in the late 1960s. Rishikesh is one of India’s seven Hindu holy cities and the home of many ashrams offering meditation, yoga and spiritual learning.

Rishikesh is bisected by the mighty Ganges, the location for the famous Ganga Arti. This spectacular evening ritual begins with a holy fire ceremony, with priests offering a purifying mix of ghee and herbs to the flames. Prayers are chanted and small lamps are lit in thanks to the Ganges for being the source of life.

Things to do in Rishikesh

• Have a go at playing the sitar or table
• Make the most of the well-being practices on offer with Hasya yoga (laughter therapy), meditation or even crystal healing
• Seek a blessing at one of the many temples

The best way to see Rishikesh

If you would like to visit Rishikesh, why not take a look at one of our wonderful ATOL and ABTA-protected holidays?  Please remember all our private tours are designed to meet your exact requirements, and the tours mentioned are just examples to help inspire you. Contact our travel experts on 01792 315499 or email info@aitholidays.com for more information.