History - The story
According to mythology, the sage Raibhya Rishi sat on the banks of the Ganga and performed severe penance. He was rewarded when the lord appeared in the form of Rishikesh, thus giving the place its present name. Over the ages, saints have meditated at this peaceful spot with the soaring mountains looking down and the sacred Ganga flowing beside. One of the most prominent religious leaders in modern times, Adi Shankaracharya, traversed this land in the 9th century AD. The Shankaracharya’s pilgrimage into the hills was later codified into the great pilgrim circuit, and gave a heightened sense of sacredness to this land of the gods. Ever since, Rishikesh has been the stepping stone and the first destination on a list of holy shrines and sites stretching across the lofty Himalayas.

How to Reach Rishikesh by Air: The hilly town of Rishikesh is located in the Garhwal region of Uttaranchal. There is no airport in the town. But the nearest airport at Jolly Grant in Dehradun the capital city of the state. The airport is only 35kms away from Rishikesh.

How to Reach Rishikesh by Road: An extensive network of roads connects Rishikesh to the other cities in Uttaranchal and India, namely: Haridwar, Agra, Chandigarh, Dehradun, Delhi and Nainital.

How to Reach Rishikesh by Rail: The nearest railhead from Rishikesh is Haridwar. Haridwar is a major railway station in the region. Many express, mail and tourist trains link Haridwar to Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Allahabad and so on.

Hotels in Rishikesh

Ganga Beach Resort,
Hotel Vasundhara Palace
Camp Hammock Shivpuri
Hotel Narayana
Raj Mahal Hotel
Dusit Thani Hotel