It’s that time of the year again! Summer vacations are getting closer and you are at your wit’s end on how to keep everyone happy! While overworked parents are looking forward to relaxing… kids want their bit of fun and adventure! The holy city of Rishikesh,(also noted for its beauty) might just be the answer to your prayers! Not only famous as a pilgrim centre but also regarded as a gateway to the Himalayas and other pilgrim centers like Kedarnath, Badrinath, Gangotri and Yamunotri, this amazing city has it all! Located in the newly carved state of Uttarakhand (Uttaranchal), while Rishikesh is chiefly a pilgrimage destination for devout Hindus, enjoy the amazing activities it has to offer from white water rafting, to trekking and mountaineering or even its exotic wildlife!

Derived from the word Hrishikesh, Rishikesh which in Sanskrit means  ‘he who has conquered his senses’, rishik meaning ‘senses’ and ish meaning ‘master’, this holy town has its share of legends and myths behind it! According to some, Hrishikesh is another name of Lord Vishnu, who is said to have slayed the demon Madhu here.  Legend also has it that on the advice of the sage Vasishtha, Lord Rama sought penance here after having killed Ravana. In yet another version, it is said that the sage Rabhiya Rishi, after completing his penance on the riverbanks of Ganga, was blessed with the appearance of god Vishnu or Hrishikesh thus giving the place its name!

While a travel to this holy land where the sages and saints of ancient India chose to do penance has plenty of attractions to keep you busy, here are a few notable ones! The first being the Lakshman Jhula, (a 450-feet-long suspension bridge built in 1939 to commemorate the journey of Lakshmana across the river on a jute rope) a favorite amongst tourists for its breathtaking scenery of Rishikesh, that cannot be viewed anywhere else. Visit this bridge for its panoramic views of the waters flowing below, and the picturesque mountains covering the area.

The Triveni Ghat is another area frequented by tourists, as it is the main bathing ghat in Rishikesh where every morning several devotees take a dip in the holy waters of Ganga. Named Triveni, it is believed to be the place of confluence of three holiest Hindu rivers in India…the Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati. Evenings here are an enchanting experience, with scores of devotees standing on the steps of the ghat while the priests perform the rituals.  Vedic chants fill the air in praise of the goddess of River Ganga, leaf boats float into the river with flowers and lamps burning in them and the sounds of the conchs in the temples are heard all around. The spirituality in the air mesmerizes one beyond expression and no matter what religion the people on the ghat belong to, their souls cannot remain untouched by this.

Built by Adiguru Shankaracharya in 12th century, dedicated to Bharat, younger brother of Lord Ram, the Bharat temple situated in the old town near Triveni Ghat is the oldest in Rishikesh. Attractions here include an idol of Lord Vishnu carved out of a single Saligram (the divine stone of Mahavishnu), apart from the Shriyantra placed on the canopy above by Adi Shankaracharya. Old statues, coins, pots and other things have also been discovered here.

Other interesting temples here are the Kailash Niketan Temple, a 13 storey temple, said to contain sculptures of all the gods and goddesses. The Geeta Bhawan is unique in its own way and is known for its paintings, statues, scenes from the great Indian epics, the Mahabharata and Ramayana that adorn its walls. The Nilkanth Mahdeo temple has an interesting legend to it. It is said that this is the place that Lord Shiva drank a venom that came out of the sea during the churning the sea, thus earning the name ‘Neelkanth’, the one with blue neck.

Rejuvenating you the traditional Indian way, Rishikesh is known for its Ayurveda that has been practiced since time immoral. Besides the many resorts and spas practicing Ayurveda and Naturopathy there are also plenty of yoga and meditation centres in this Yoga and Meditation capital of India.

While parents get their share of peace and quiet in the above places, kids let your wild side take over! For those who need that adrenalin flowing overtime, the white water rafting that Rishikesh provides promises to do just that! The thrill of rushing down fast-flowing mountain streams, battling with the raging rapids and torrents as the rivers flow through picturesque mountains and icy waters froth over the boulders and cut their way through deep gorge is something that has to be experienced with rivers here providing the best rafting opportunities in the world! Providing courses for one and all is the Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam

But if you are looking for something less exciting, then indulge in gentle canoeing here in Rishikesh. Trekking trips are organised to Binsar and Gopeshwar. People also take small treks from Rishikesh to the upper ranges of the Himalayas.

Delighting animal enthusiasts, is the Rajaji National Park just 6 km from Rishikesh, a haven for wildlife lovers – with herds of wild elephants, tigers, cheetahs, leopards, bears, Sambhar, hog deer, barking deer, hyenas, wild boar, and various species of snakes including pythons and king cobra! Also look out for the Red Jungle fowl, Sunbirds, Jungle Owlets, Great Hornbills, kingfishers and other migratory birds from all over the world. It is said that one can find about 400 species of birds from the Himalayas here!

No matter what you’re looking for… from wall paintings to garments, accessories and many more, there is something for everyone in the markets of Rishikesh. But catching one’s eye in particular is the wooden furniture, a popular item sold in the bazaars here. Tourists can select from a wide range of carved furniture made of wood that include chairs, tables, cradles, stools, or chests. Other items also found here include beads of Rudraksha, books and clothes of religious importance. In addition to this Ayurvedic medicines are also a must pick up from here.

From Yoga/ meditation and Ayurveda, to white water rafting/ mountaineering and rock climbing this ‘Gateway to The land of the Gods’ or the ‘Mecca of Yoga’, call it what you will, is the ideal place one should head to rediscover and rejuvenate oneself!