Places Near Rishikesh

There are many tourist places near Rishikesh. The religiously incline travellers can visit Neelkanth Mahadev, a shrine on top of a hill, that is 12 kms from Rishikesh. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the shrine commemorates the lord’s divine act of drinking the poison left over from the churning of the oceans. This made his throat turn blue, thus giving the name, Neelkanth.

Kaudiyala Rafters Camp is 38 kms away, on the road to Badrinath shrine. In the midst of thickly wooded slopes at 480 metres, the campsite has been promoted by GMVN for white-water rafting. Kaudiyala also offers some rock climbing sites.

Rajaji National Park , 6 kms from Rishikesh is one of the few sanctuaries where you can see wild elephants along their migratory path up to Corbett National Park. Stretching over an area over 800 square kilometres, the park is habitat for 23 species of mammals and 180 species of birds. The park is accessible both from Haridwar and Rishikesh.

Some short treks around Rishikesh yield views of verdant forests and snow peaks. Following the forest track behind Swarg Ashram, you cross the spur of a hill to reach the shrine of Neelkanth Mahadev. On the way through the jungles you may come across some wildlife.

Phulchhatti is an isolated spot 10 km up from Lakshmanjhula. A bend in the river offers a good spot for swimming, midst huge boulders that dominate the landscape.

Kunjapuri is a shrine that lies on a different route 10 kms above the Lakshmanjhula. Perched on top of a hill, the shrine is a shaktipeetha. Views from the top, of the plains and Haridwar to the south and the Himalayas to the north, are a treat.