From forest hermitage to global yoga hub
Rishikesh has been a site of meditation since at least the 8th century, when Adi Shankaracharya established a monastery here. But the town’s global fame arrived in February 1968, when The Beatles flew to the ashram of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi at Chaurasi Kutiya. John, Paul, George and Ringo spent weeks meditating, writing 48 songs (many of which ended up on the White Album) and accidentally inventing the modern wellness retreat. The ashram fell into ruin after the Maharishi left but was reopened as the Beatles Ashram (officially Rajaji Tiger Reserve Chaurasi Kutiya) in 2015, its meditation cells now covered in street art.
Today, Tapovan and Laxman Jhula host over 200 registered yoga schools. The International Yoga Festival, held every March, draws 1,500 practitioners from 100 countries. A 200-hour teacher-training certification from a Rishikesh school is the global gold standard — and at ₹30,000–₹90,000 ($360–$1,080) for a month, it costs a fraction of the Bali or Costa Rica equivalent.
Rafting the Ganga: Grade III–IV rapids
Between September and May, the 16 km stretch from Shivpuri to Rishikesh offers some of the best commercial white-water rafting in India — Grade III rapids with names like Roller Coaster, Golf Course and The Wall. Half-day trips cost ₹700–₹1,500. For adrenaline chasers, India’s highest bungee jump (83 m, operated by Jumpin Heights near Mohan Chatti) is 16 km upriver. The Giant Swing and Flying Fox round out the menu.
Ganga Aarti at Triveni Ghat and Parmarth Niketan
Every evening at sunset, the Triveni Ghat and Parmarth Niketan ashram hold Ganga Aarti — a ceremony of fire, chanting and floating flower lamps that rivals (some say surpasses) the famous aarti at Varanasi. The difference is scale: Rishikesh’s aarti is intimate, with 200–500 people seated on the ghats rather than 10,000.
Where Rishikesh leads next
Rishikesh is the gateway to the Char Dham — the four sacred Himalayan shrines of Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath. Jim Corbett National Park is 5 hours east. Shimla is 8 hours via Dehradun. And for the devotional counterpoint, Varanasi is an overnight train away. See more Wildlife and Himalayan connections to plan your yatra.
“In Rishikesh, the river does the talking. You just learn to listen.”
About the author
YatraJunction Editorial
Our editors are travellers, historians and food lovers who have collectively visited every state of India. Every guide is fact-checked, field-tested and updated with love.
Learn about usFrequently asked questions
- Is Rishikesh safe for solo travellers?
- Very safe. The town is dry (alcohol is banned), vegetarian and heavily policed. Solo female travellers are common, especially in the yoga-school belt of Tapovan and Laxman Jhula. Standard precautions apply after dark.
- When is the best time for rafting in Rishikesh?
- September to November (post-monsoon, highest water levels, strongest rapids) and February to May (pleasant weather, moderate rapids). Rafting is closed during the monsoon (July–August) when the Ganga is dangerously high.
- How much does a yoga course cost in Rishikesh?
- A 200-hour yoga teacher training (1 month) costs ₹30,000–₹90,000 ($360–$1,080) including accommodation and meals. Drop-in classes run ₹200–₹500 per session. Multi-day retreats range from ₹5,000 to ₹25,000 depending on the ashram.
