Rishikesh - The Abode of Sages in Uttarakhand

Quick Facts
Also Known As: Home of Sages
Major Attractions: Triveni Ghat, Lakshman Jhula, Gita Bhawan, Swargashram, Nilkanth Mahadev and Ram Jhula
Suitable Time To Visit: April to October

Rishikesh, literally meaning ‘abode of sages’ is a picturesque town, situated in Uttarakhand. Set at a height of 1,360 ft, above sea level, Rishikesh represents the site where Lord Vishnu vanquished the demon Madhu. Spreading over the banks of River Ganges, Rishikesh houses a number of temples and ashrams visited by a large number of pilgrims, adventure seekers and travellers every year. Rishikesh is a gateway to the Himalayas in the Tehri-Garhwal region of Uttarakhan and abounds with natural grandeur, complimented by scenic beauty of the hills from three sides and the verdant forest all-around.

Every day the ghats of River Ganges at Rishiskesh abound with sadhus as well as pilgrims. The 'Aarti' on the banks of the river is not to be missed event while visiting Rishikesh. Every day in the evening, the floating diyas (earthen lamps) provide a superb view to the river ghats. Besides these, the hymns and distance sound of bell chimes create a symphony of sorts during the Aarti.

Rishikesh is a mainly a pilgrimage centre, but it offers plenty of opportunities for shopping as well. You can buy handicraft items made of shells, pearls and beads, sarees, kurtas, sheets, rugs and several other items. These items are available on Government Approved Handloom Shop, Khadi Bhandar and Garhwal Wool and Craft Shop.

Jolly Grant Airport at Dehradun (42 kms) is the nearest airport from Rishikesh, while Haridwar Railway Station (25 kms) is the nearest railhead. Buses are the best mode of transport to reach Rishikesh. Government and several private buses are available for Rishikesh from Haridwar (25 kms), Dehradun (42 kms), Mussoorie (77 kms), Uttarakashi (154 kms), Kedarnath (228 kms) and Delhi (238 kms).

Accommodation is not at all a big issue at Rishikesh, as the town is dotted with several good hotels, guest houses and dharamshalas. The Garhwal Vikas Manda Nigam's Guest House is the best place to stay in the town.

Major Attractions in Rishikesh
Triveni Ghat: Triveni Ghat is actually a bathing ghat and one of the most popular attractions in Rishikesh. Locals and the pilgrims take a holy dip at this ghat before visiting the temples around Rishikesh town. Thousands of people take bath here and see the Maha Aarti performed on the Ghat, every day in the early morning and evening.

Lakshman Jhula: Built in 1939, this suspended iron bridge (450 ft) is a major attraction for tourists visiting Rishikesh. Legend has it that Ganges has descended to the earth at this place. It is believed that Lakshman, the younger brother of Lord Rama crossed the river Ganges using a hanging bridge made of jute. Radha-Krishna Temple, Lakshman Temple, and an 11.3 metre high monolithic Shiva statue are some of the attractions around the bridge.

Gita Bhawan: Situated adjacent to Lakshman Jhula, Gita Bhawan is a newly constructed building. Gita Bhawan has a fine collection mythological paintings and magnificent statues.

Ram Jhula: Ram Jhula is situated between Shivananda Ashram and Sawargashram। According to legend, Ram Jhula was constructed by Rama to cross the Ganga at Shivananda for returning to Rishikesh.

Just 2 km south of Lakshman Jhula, Swargashram is an abode of hermits and saints. There are large number of Hindu temples at Swargashram. Apart from temples, Swargashram has several good eating joints and shops.

Nilkanth Mahadev: Nilkanth Mahadev, one of the important temples of Rishikesh is located above Swaragashram, atop a 1,675 m high hill. For reaching the temple, you have to take a trek of around 12 kms through the tranquil forests. From the temple you can enjoy commanding panoramic view of the surroundings.

Adventure Sports: You can enjoy a range of adventure sports in Rishikesh. Rock Climbing, White Water Rafting and Trekking are some of the adventure sports. Shivpuri is an ideal point from where you can raft down on the Ganges River.

Narendra Nagar (15 kms): Narendra Nagar is a historical town situated on Rishikesh-Chamba Road. In addition to historical significance, this town also has archaeological importance. Royal Palace and massive Nandi Bull are two of the prime attractions here.

Kunjapuri: Close to Narendra Nagar, Kunjapuri is set at an altitude of 7,000 ft and covered with dense forests. You will get a wonderful view of the lofty peaks and verdant valleys.

Valley of Flowers: 16 kms away from Govindghat, off the Rishikesh-Badrinath Road, the Valley of Flowers is world renowned for housing a number of exotic floral and faunal species. Valley of Flowers has the largest concentration of several species of unique wild flowers.

Chila (20 kms): Chila is a wildlife sanctuary covered with lush dense forest and offers a soothing tranquil environment. Visit the popular reservoir, where you can spot a variety of animals, drinking water.

Haridwar (25 kms): Set on the foothills of Shivalik range, Haridwar is the gateway to Chardham (four pilgrimages - Gangotri, Yamunotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath) in the Uttarakhand. Haridwar is popular as being the place that has been blessed by the trinity of Lord Shiva and is also one of the major Shaktipeeths of the country. Major attractions of Haridwar are Har Ki Pauri, Mansa Devi Temple, Chanda Devi Temple, Sapt Rishi and Daksh Mahadev Temple.

Dehradun (42 kms): Nestled in the foothills of the Himalayas, Dehradun is a worth visiting place. Dehradun houses several tourist attractions, namely Tapkeshwar Temple, Sahastradhara, Dakpathar, Laxman Sidh, Asan Barrage etc.

Mussoorie (77 kms): Mussoorie is a fascinating hill resort, providing a spectacular view of the snow covered Himalayan ranges to the north-east and the picturesque Doon Valley. Major attractions of Mussoorie are Camel's Back Road, Gun Hill, Mussoorie Lake, Kempty Fall, Nag Tibba, Dhanolti, Bhadraj Temple, Yamuna Bridge and Municipal Garden.

Devprayag: A tranquil holy town, Devprayag is the spot where the rivers Alaknanda and Bhagirathi, leave the mountains and merge. Devprayag has the ancient Ragunathji Temple, which deserves a visit.

Auli: Auli is a small town, offering excellent opportunities for adventure sports like Skiing, Snow-Boarding etc.

Yoga and Meditation in Rishikesh
Rishikesh has a number of ashrams and yoga centres where you can take lessons on these two ancient Indian disciplines. You may contact Swami Shivananda's Divine Society Ashram, which is an authentic place. It is situated on the Tourist Bungalow side of the river. You may stay here for short term study or for longer three month courses. Other popular yoga and meditation centres in Rishikesh are Ved Niketan, Yoga Study Centre, Maharshi Mahesh Yogi's Transcendental Meditation Centre and Yoga Niketan - Rishikesh.

Swargashram:

Dehradun - Abode of Drona

Quick Facts
Situated in: Uttaranchal
Also Known As: Abode of Drona
Main Attractions: Tapowan, Tapkeshawar Temple, Chandrabani, Sai Darbar Temple, Tibetan Temple, Robber's Cave, Malsi Deer Park, Sahastradhara, Laxman Siddh and Santala Devi Temple
Suitable Time To Visit: November to March

Whether you are an adventure seeker, a discerning traveller or looking for a spiritual journey, Dehradun offers almost everything as per your choice. Commonly known as the 'Abode of Drona', Dehradun is a hill station, serving as the capital of newly created state of Uttarakhand. Situated in the Great Indian Himalayan ranges, the charming city draw a large number of tourists from India and foreign countries as well. An ancient city, Dehradun finds its description in Ashoka's inscriptions dating back to 250 BC, even today can be seen outside the city.

The city remained an important centre for Garhwal rulers, later on the British captured the area and developed it as a hill resort. Besides a hill resort, Dehradun also houses the headquarters of several National Institutes and Organizations, namely ONGC, Forest Research Institute and Survey of India. Dehradun is also home to some of India's noted educational and training institutes like Indian Military Academy, Indira Gandhi National Forest Academy (IGNFA) and Rashtriya Indian Military College (RIMC).

Dehradun has its own domestic airport, Jolly Grant Airport (25 km), which is served by flights from Delhi. Dehradun Railway Station in connected by trains to Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and other parts of the country. National Highways, State Highways and good roads connect Dehradun with rest of the country.

For accommodation, plenty of good hotels are available in the town of Dehradun. You may stay in hotels or guest houses, as per your requirements and budget.

Any trip to Dehradun is incomplete without some shopping activities. The shops at Dehradun sell traditional handicrafts, which you can buy as souvenirs for family members, relatives or friends.

Major Attractions in Dehradun
Tapowan: Tapowan is situated on the Dehradun - Rajpur Road, about 5 km from the city bus stand. Set amidst the picturesque surroundings, Tapowan carries an interesting legend linked to Guru Dronacharya.

Tapkeshawar Shiv Temple: Tapkeshawar Shiv Temple is an ancient place of worship in the Garhi Cantt. Area, just 5 kms away from city bus stand. This temple can be easily reached by road. During the occasion of Maha Shivratri devotes throng the temple to participate in the fair and pay their obeisance to the presiding deity.

Chandrabani: Chadrabani Temple (Gautam Kund) lies at a distance of 7 km from Dehradun. According to a legend this place was inhabited by Maharishi Gautam, his wife and daughter who are even today worshipped by the people. Every year thousands of devotees visit this temple to take a holy dip in the sacred Kund.

Forest Research Institute: A forest based training institute in India, Forest Research Institute is located 7 km away from Clock Tower on the Dehradun - Chakrata road. Established in 1906, the Forest Research Institute is one of the oldest institutes of its kind in the world and highly acclaimed worldover. The research institute houses a Botanical Museum, which you can visit.

Indian Military Academy: Indian Military Academy (IMA) is situated at a distance of 8 kms from the city centre. A government owned premier training institute for Army Officer, the Indian Military Academy is functional from 1st October 1932. Here you can see War Memorial, Museum, Library. Shooting Demonstration Room, 18 holes Golf Course and Arms and ammunition.

Sai Darbar Temple: Sai Darbar Temple is 8 km away from the city centre along the Clock Tower on Rajpur Road. The temple due to high cultural and spiritual importance draws large number of tourists and devotees.

Tibetan Temple (Buddha Temple): Adjacent to Sai Darbar Temple is the Tibetan Temple, dedicated to Lord Buddha.

Robber's Cave (Guchhupani): The Robber's Cave is a perfect picnic spot, situated 8 kms away from the bus terminal. To visit Robber’s Cave you need to take bus up to Anarwala village and further a trek of one kilometre to reach this spot.

Malsi Deer Park: Malsi Deer Park is a well developed mini-zoological park, just 10 km from Dehradun. The park also has a children's park flanked by splendid natural surroundings.

Sahastradhara: Sahastradhara is located 11 kms away from Dehradun, popular as a picnic spot. The 9 mts high waterfall, the River Baldi and caves provide a spectacular sight to the place. The Sulphur spring is another attraction at Sahastradhrana, people believe that the water of the spring possess medicinal properties and cure skin infections.

Laxman Siddh: Laxman Siddh is a famous temple about 12 kms away from Dehradun. People visit this temple in large numbers, especially on Sundays.

Santala Devi Temple: Santala Devi Temple is situated at a distance of 15 kms from Dehradun. A place of religious and cultural significance, the temple draws people from far and near places.


Asan Barrage Water Sports Resort: Asan Barrage Water Sports Resort has been developed by Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam in 1994. Also known as Dhalipur Lake, this resort is situated on Chandigarh - Shimla highway. Here you can enjoy water sports like water skiing, rowing, kayaking, boating, canoeing etc. During the winters you can see large number of avian species, especially migratory birds here.

Rajaji National Park: Established in 1966, the Rajaji National Park spreads over an area of 820 sq. kms. Set in a lush green valley of Shivalik ranges, the park houses a wide range of floral and faunal species including 23 species of mammals and 315 bird species.

Rishikesh: Often referred to as the 'place of sages', Rishikesh is a spiritual town, located 24 kms away from Haridwar. In addition to a pilgrimage destination, Rishikesh is also an ideal destination for people who are interested in yoga and meditation. For adventure seekers Rishikesh offers adventure options like trekking and rafting. Major tourist attractions of Rishikesh include the Triveni Ghat, Laxman Jhoola, Raghunath Temple, Ashrams and Yoga Centres.

Mussoorie: A famous hill station of north India, Mussoorie is located at a distance of 34 kms from Dehradun. Popularly known as the 'Queen of Hill Stations', Mussoorie has the attractions, namely Camel's back road, Mussoorie Lake, Gun hill, Kempty Fall and Vinod Mountain Quail Sanctuary.

Haridwar: One of the major pilgrimage centres of India, Haridwar is situated at a distance of 45 kms from Dehradun. Hardiwar is the gateway to Chardham (four pilgrimage destinations) of Uttarakhand and has the tourist attractions like Har ki Pauri ghats, Mansa Devi Temple, Daksha Mahadev Temple and Bharat Mata Temple.

Munnar - the land of tea plantations

Brief Overview
Situated in: Kerala
Popular As: Hill Station
Major Attractions: Devikulam, Attukal, Mattupetty, Lock Heart Gap, Eravikulam National Park
Best Season to Visit: October to March

Munnar is a one of the famous hill stations of India situated approximately 130 kms from Kochi in Kerala. The undulating terrain of Munnar is enchanting, boasts of low lying hills covered with bright flower meadows and lush tea plantations. Munnar used to serve as summer resort for the British. The hill station lies at an average altitude of about 1600 metres and contains one of the highest peaks in South India, Anamudi.

Munnar Valley was developed by the Scottish planters in the early 20th century. The tea plantation is an important feature of Munnar, sprawling at variable heights from 4300 ft to 6100 ft above sea level. Another famous hill station Kodaikanal, lies nearby, around 90 kms from Munnar.

Excellent accommodation is provided by a range of hotels including expensive hotels and low budget lodges. Some of the famous hotels are Windermere Resort, Mahindra Resorts, Sterling Resorts, Hi-range Club, Issac's Residency, Edassery Eastend Hotel, Holiday Inn, Hill View and Marthoma Rest House.

The nearest railway station and airport to Munnar are situated at Kochi, about 130 kms from the place. The nearest bus terminals are located at Pothmedu (3 km), Pallivasal (6 Km) and Mattupety (13 km).


Major Attractions in Munnar
Devikulam: Devikulam is a famous hill station, just 7 km from Munnar. The hill station boasts of satin green lawns and rare species of flora and fauna. From the hill station one can enjoy some exquisite scenes of nature surrounding the place. Another highlight of the place is a mineral water lake called Sita Devi Lake, famous for trout fishing.

Attukal: Attukal is located some 9 km away from Munnar. The place features cascaded waterfalls and hills and a fantastic trekking routes.


Mattupetty: Situated at a distance of around 13 km from Munnar, Mattupetty is famous for its cattle rearing farm and quality bred live stock. The farm is located at a height of about 1700 metres and serves a popular picnic spot. Besides, a dam and a beautiful lake add more to the beauty of place.

Lock Heart Gap: Located at a distance of 13 km from Munnar, Lock Heart Gap is known for trekking. From here one can enjoy splendid Mountain View and feel on top of the world.


Eravikulam National Park: Eravikulam National Park is located 15 km from Munnar known for natural beauty and home to Nilgiri Tahr. The park spreading over an area of 97 sq kms was declared as a wildlife sanctuary in 1975 and later on in 1978 as a national park. One can go up to Anamudi Peak, on foot from here.


Chithirapuram: Chithirapuram is a small town with sprawling tea plantations all around. There are several tourist cottages and bungalows at Chithirapuram, which make a visit worth it.


Echo Point: Echo Point is about 15 kms from Munnar. The place is very popular for the natural phenomenon. The echo that reverberates after hitting the distant hills is fascinating.