Rishikesh, often called Hrishikesh, is a city and a tehsil in the Dehradun district of Uttarakhand, India. It is governed by the Rishikesh Municipal Corporation. It is known as the "Gateway to the Garhwal Himalayas" and the "Yoga Capital of the World" since it is located in the Himalayan foothills of northern India.

Rishikesh is located 21 kilometers (13 miles) north of Haridwar and 45 kilometers (28 miles) southeast of Dehradun, the state capital. It is famed as a pilgrimage town and is considered one of Hinduism's holiest sites. Hindu sages and saints have come to Rishikesh to meditate in search of higher knowledge since ancient times. Rishikesh is home to the Ganges, one of Hinduism's holiest rivers.

The river comes into the plains of northern India from the Shivalik Hills in the Himalayas. Rishikesh has several ancient and new temples along the banks of the Ganges. Adi Shankaracharya built ancient temples such as Shatrughna Mandir, Bharat Mandir, and Lakshman Mandir. In this article, you are going to see the places nearby Rishikesh.

1. Haridwar

27 Places To Visit Near Rishikesh To Explore A Part Of North India — Haridwar | Places To Visit Near Rishikesh

Haridwar, or the 'gate to gods,' is one of India's holiest pilgrimages, situated where the Ganga, the most sacred of all Indian rivers, joins the Indo-Gangetic plains. It is one of the places to visit near Rishikesh. Haridwar, located in the Himalayan foothills, is a city of temples and ashrams with a religious atmosphere that envelopes everyone.

Every 12 years, the Kumbh Mela, a devout gathering of millions of Hindu devotees, takes place in Haridwar, one of four holy Indian cities. Haridwar is a historic city with strong roots in ancient Vedic culture and traditions, and there are various institutes here that teach traditional wellness expertise.

2. Rajaji National Park

The Shivaliks, near the Himalayan foothills, is home to Rajaji National Park, an Indian national park and tiger reserve. It covers 820 km and three Uttarakhand districts: Haridwar, Dehradun, and Pauri Garhwal. Three wildlife sanctuaries in the region, notably Chilla, Motichur, and Rajaji, were united into one in 1983.

Rajaji National Park is named after C. Rajagopalachari (Rajaji), a prominent leader of the Indian Independence Movement, the country's second and final Governor-General, and one of the first recipients of India's highest civilian award, the Bharat Ratna.

3. Dehradun

The Indian state of Uttarakhand's capital and largest city is Dehradun. The Dehradun Municipal Corporation governs the city, which hosts the Uttarakhand Legislative Assembly's winter sessions.

Dehradun is situated between the Song river, a tributary of the Ganga on the east, and the Asan river, a tributary of the Yamuna on the west, in the Doon Valley in the Himalayan foothills. The city is known for its beautiful scenery and slightly warmer climate.

4. Mussoorie

Mussoorie is a hill station and municipal board in the Indian state of Uttarakhand's Dehradun district. It's around 35 kilometers (22 miles) north of Dehradun, the state capital, and 290 kilometers (180 miles) north of New Delhi, the national capital. The hill station is situated in the Garhwal Himalayan range's foothills.

The name Mussoorie is thought to be derived from the word Mansur, which refers to a shrub native to the area. Indians commonly refer to the town as Mansuri. Mussoorie is connected to Delhi and other important cities by road. It is known as the "Gateway" to the Northern Indian sanctuaries of Yamunotri and Gangotri.

5. Pauri Garhwal

Pauri Garhwal is a district in Uttarakhand, India. The headquarters of the organization are in Pauri. It is commonly referred to as Garhwal district, however, this should not be mistaken with the greater Garhwal area, of which it is a part.

Pauri Garhwal has a good summer climate and a cold winter climate. The climate is cool and the terrain is green during the rainy season. It is one of the places to visit near Rishikesh.

6. Shivpuri

Shivpuri, a little village 16 kilometers from Rishikesh, is a popular tourist destination. The place was given the name Shivpuri, which means Lord Shiva's residence, because of the numerous temples dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva.

This small, rural village sits on the banks of the Ganga River and is a popular river rafting destination. In Shivpuri, there are several beach camps where adventurers can enjoy the excitement of rafting from Shivpuri to Rishikesh. The location is also known for its calm and quietness.

7. Khirsu

Khirsu is a hill station in the Pauri Garhwal district of Uttarakhand. Khirsu is located at an elevation of 1760 meters, 19 kilometers north of Pauri and 160 kilometers west of Dehradun. Khirsu is known for its beautiful scenery.

A beautiful 300-kilometer-wide panoramic vista of the Himalayas, including the snow-capped Trishul, Nanda Devi, Nanda Kot, Chaukhamba, and Panchachuli peaks, can be seen from this hill station.

8. Neelkanth Mahadev Temple

The Neelkanth Mahadev Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva's appearance Nilkanth. It is one of the places to visit near Rishikesh The temple is located 32 kilometers from Rishikesh in Uttarakhand's Pauri Garhwal district. The Dravidian style of temple architecture has had a significant influence on temple architecture.

The temple is a famous Hindu pilgrimage place and is dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is surrounded by green forests and is close to the Nar-Narayan mountain ranges. It is situated near the junction of the rivers Pankaja and Madhumati and is surrounded by the valleys of Manikoot, Brahmakoot, and Vishnukoot.

9. Piran Kaliyar Sharif

On the outskirts of Roorkee town, the Piran Kaliyar Sharif Dargah, or the ultimate resting place of the 13th-century saint Allauddin Ali Ahamed 'Sabir,' is a beloved destination for tourists and worshippers.

It is a live example of national integration and harmony, located around 15 kilometers from Haridwar. Millions of followers from all religions from India and worldwide visit the dargah, which is known for its mystical qualities. Every year in May and June, the Urs festival is held at this dargah.

10. Byasi

Byasi is a small town in Uttarakhand that sits on the banks of the sacred Ganga River. Byasi, around 30 kilometers from Rishikesh, is known for its exciting water sports such as river rafting and camping.

Byasi has favorable demography and a regular Ganga flow, making river rafting comfortable and easy. Byasi features several restaurants and motels that provide food and lodging to travelers. It is one of the places to visit near Rishikesh.

11. Kaudiyala

Kaudiyala is a small town on the Badrinath route, 40 kilometers from Rishikesh. Kaudiyala, which is scenically located on the banks of the holy river Ganga, is known for white river rafting and being a lovely camping place.

Highly adventurous expedition enthusiasts travel from far away to Kaudiyala to experience the thrill of rafting in the most difficult zones, which run from Kaudiyal to Shivpuri.

12. Chamba

Chamba is a town in the Himachal Pradesh state of India's Chamba district. Chamba has a population of 20,312 people, according to the 2001 Indian census. The settlement is situated on the banks of the Ravi River, at an elevation of 1,006 meters (3,301 feet) above mean sea level.

The town is home to several temples and palaces as well as two popular Jatra (fairs), the "Suhi Mata Mela" and the "Minjar Mela," both of which run several days and feature music and dancing. Chamba is also famous for its arts and crafts, especially Pahari paintings.

13. Devprayag

It is one of the places to visit near Rishikesh. Devprayag is a town and Nagar panchayat in the Tehri Garhwal District of Uttarakhand, India, and is the final of the Panch Prayag (five confluences) of the Alaknanda River, where the Alaknanda meets the Bhagirathi river, and both rivers flow on as the Ganges river or Ganga.

In Sanskrit, the term "Devprayag" means "Godly Confluence." According to Hindu scriptures, Devprayag is the sacred event of the confluence of two visible heavenly rivers, Alakananda and Bhagirathi, to form the holy Ganga.

14. Kanatal

Kanatal is a village and hill station in the Indian state of Uttarakhand. Kanatal is located 78 kilometers from Dehradun (the state capital of Uttarakhand), 38 kilometers from Mussoorie, and 12 kilometers from Chamba.

It is located on the Chamba-Mussoorie road, approximately 300 kilometers from Delhi. Kanatal is located at an elevation of approximately 8500 feet (2590 meters). Surkanda Devi Temple is the highest point.

15. Jadh Ganga

The river Jadh Ganga rises north of Mana Pass from the Lambi glacier, where it is known as Lambi Gad (Lambi river). This area is administered by India and is close to the LAC, a disputed de facto border between India and China, which China also claims as part of Zanda County in Tibet.

The Lambi Gas flows from south to north and is known as the Mendi Gad after a westward turn. Sang, Jadhang, Nelang, and Pulam Sumda are some of the villages in the area, all of which are located in the Jadh Ganga valley. It is one of the places to visit near Rishikesh.

16. Kauri Pass

Enjoy views of the mighty Dronagiri, Chitrakantha, Chaukhamba, and Tali tops from an altitude of 12,516 feet. Capture the breathtaking scenery of Nanda Devi, India's second-highest peak. The trail simply treats your eyes to spectacular views of the Bhagirathi and Alaknanda rivers in all their glory.

The Kuari pass trek takes you through thick alpine forests of oak and conifer, Rhododendron, and birch, which is teeming with wildlife such as leopard pugmarks, Himalayan black bears, and birdlife. The Kuari pass trek, located in the Garhwal Himalaya, is a 33-kilometer journey that includes visits to popular pilgrim cities such as Rishikesh, Devprayag, Joshimath, and Haridwar.

17. Rudraprayag

Rudraprayag is one of the Alaknanda River's Panch Prayag (five confluences), as well as the point of confluence of the rivers Alaknanda and Mandakini. Kedarnath, a Hindu holy town, is 86 kilometers from Rudraprayag.

The nearest airport is Jolly Grant Airport near Dehradun, which is 183 kilometers (114 miles) away. While Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi is the closest international airport. Rudranath Temple is located in the city of Rudranath.

18. Tehri Garhwal

Tehri Garhwal is a district in Uttarakhand, India's hill state. New Tehri is where the organization's administrative headquarters are located. The population of the district is 618, 931 people.

It is bordered on the east by Rudraprayag District, on the west by Dehradun District, on the north by Uttarkashi District, and on the south by Pauri Garhwal District. The Himalayas include Tehri Garhwal. It is one of three districts in Uttarakhand that has received funding from the Backward Regions Grant Fund Program (BRGF).

19. Uttarkashi

Uttarkashi, which translates to "Northern Kashi," is a town in Uttarakhand, India. Somya Kashi is another name for Uttarkashi. Uttarkashi is a spiritual and adventurous tourist destination. Shivnagari is another name for Uttarkashi. A variety of temples and ashrams may be found throughout the town. Uttarkashi is noted for its devout people, as well as its weather and educational opportunities.

Uttarkashi's district headquarters are located here. Uttarkashi is located at an elevation of 1158 meters above sea level on the banks of the Bhagirathi River. Uttarkashi is a sacred town in the vicinity of Rishikesh. It is found in the Indian state of Uttarakhand. A variety of ashrams and temples can be found in Uttarkashi. It is one of the places to visit near Rishikesh.

20. Ram Jhula

Ram Jhula is an iron suspension bridge that spans the Ganges River in Uttarakhand, India. It is located 3 kilometers (1.9 miles) northeast of Rishikesh. The bridge spans the river from west to east, connecting the Sivananda Nagar locality of Muni Ki Reti in Tehri Garhwal district to Swargashram in Pauri Garhwal district.

The bridge, which was built in 1986, is one of Rishikesh's most famous sights. On both sides of the Ganges, there are numerous Hindu ashrams and religious institutes. It also serves as a link between Muni Ki Reti's Sivananda Ashram and Swargashram's Gita Bhawan, Parmarth Niketan, and other temples.

21. Dhanaulti

Dhanaulti is a hill station in the Garhwal Himalayan range, 24 kilometers (15 miles) from Mussoorie. In the Tehri district, Dhanaulti is a tehsil. Dhanuaulti has two eco-parks, "Amber" and "Dhara," which are around 200 meters apart. They were produced by the Uttarakhand Forest Department. It has a tiny forest with Deodar trees that is protected.

Visitors can walk over the flying fox and Burma bridges, as well as ride horses, as part of the adventure sports facilities. There is also a facility for guests to plant a seedling of a tree species in the memory of a loved one, referred to as a memory sapling plantation.

22. Chakrata

Chakrata is a cantonment town in the Dehradun district of Uttarakhand, India, as well as a sub-district/ Tehsil. It is located between the Tons and Yamuna rivers at an elevation of 2118 meters, 98 kilometers from Dehradun, the state capital.

Himachal Pradesh is to the west, and Mussoorie (73 km) and Tehri Garhwal are to the east. Both routes take you along scenic mountain roads. Traveling during the monsoon can be difficult due to landslides, which cause frequent road closures in the area.

23. Lansdowne

Lansdowne is a military camp town in the Pauri Garhwal district of Uttarakhand, India. Lansdowne or Lansdown is a town and hill station in Uttarakhand, India, located on the Kotdwar-Pauri route at an elevation of 1,780 meters. It is one of the places to visit near Rishikesh. Lansdowne is 45 kilometers from Kotdwar in Uttarakhand's Pauri district.

The visitors are drawn to the War Memorial, which is located on the Garhwal Rifles Center's Parade Ground. Prior authorization from the military authority, however, is required. Tip n Top View Point, Kaleshwar Mahadev Temple, which is the most visited Temple in Lansdowne and attracts thousands of devotees during the month of Sawan, are among the city's points of interest.

24. Jim Corbett National Park

Established in 1936 as Hailey National Park to safeguard the endangered Bengal tiger, Jim Corbett National Park is India's oldest national park. It was named after hunter and naturalist Jim Corbett and is located in Uttarakhand's Nainital and Pauri Garhwal districts.

Hills, riverine belts, marshy depressions, grasslands, and a big lake make up 520.8 km (201.1 sq mi) of Corbett National Park. The elevation varies between 1,300 and 4,000 feet (400 to 1,220 m). The nights are cold throughout the winter, but the days are bright and beautiful.

25. Nainital

Nainital is a well-known Indian hill station. It is the state's judicial capital, housing the state's High Court as well as the Kumaon division's headquarters and an eponymous district. The Raj Bhavan also serves as the residence of the Governor of Uttarakhand.

There are 285 kilometers (177 miles) between Nainital and Dehradun, the state capital, and 345 kilometers (214 miles) between Nainital and New Delhi, the Indian capital. The hill station is popular with visitors all year.

26. Bharat Mandir

Bharat Mandir is an old temple in the center of Rishikesh, approximately 1.5 km from Rishikesh Railway Station and 500 meters from Triveni Ghat. Hrishikesh Narayan Temple is another name for this temple. Bharat Mandir is one of Rishikesh's oldest temples.

According to Kedarkhand's historical chronicles, Adi Guru Shankaracharya erected the temple's main construction in the 8th century. Timur's raid in 1398 AD is believed to have destroyed this temple. Lord Vishnu, also known as Hrishikesh Narayan, is the temple's principal deity.

Lord Vishnu's statue was carved out of Saligram, a single black stone with Himalayan traits.

27. Mohan Chatti

Mohan Chatti, Near Neelkanth Mahadev, is surrounded by hills and is located away from the noise and bustle of Rishikesh. If you enjoy adventure and nature, this is the ideal weekend getaway.

Mohan Chatti is crossed by a small stream (Hule River), which reaches the Ganga close before Rishikesh. In Mohanchatti, there are several camping sites and resorts that provide lodging, meals, and a variety of activities.

So this is the list of places to visit near Rishikesh. It is an important place for Hindu due to the presence of temples. It also has a hill station which makes this place the best for tourism. You can share this information about who loves nature, adventure, and temples.

I hope this list of places to visit near Rishikesh must have helped you in gathering information about this part of North India and helped you in planning your trip.

Do share your experiences in the comment box below if you have visited any of these places near Rishikesh.

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27 Places To Visit Near Rishikesh To Explore A Part Of North India