Rishikesh

Rishikesh
Triambakeshwar Temple
Muni Ki Reti
Parmarth Niketan
Evening aarti at Triveni Ghat
Ram Jhula
Left to Right; Top to Bottom : Triambakeshwar Temple, Muni Ki Reti, Parmarth Niketan, Janki Setu, Evening aarti at Triveni Ghat, the Ram Jhula and AIIMS Rishikesh
Nickname(s): 
Yoganagari and Yognagari
Rishikesh is located in Uttarakhand
Rishikesh
Rishikesh
Location in Uttarakhand
Rishikesh is located in India
Rishikesh
Rishikesh
Rishikesh (India)
Coordinates: 30°06′30″N 78°17′50″E / 30.10833°N 78.29722°E / 30.10833; 78.29722
CountryIndia
StateUttarakhand
DistrictDehradun and Tehri Garhwal
Municipality1952
Named forHrishikesha
Government
 • TypeMayor–council
 • BodyRishikesh Municipal Corporation
 • MayorAnita Mamgain (BJP)
 • Municipal CommissionerRahul Kumar Goyal
Area
 • Total
11.5 km2 (4.4 sq mi)
Elevation
340 m (1,120 ft)
Population
 (2011)
 • Total
102,138 (urban agglomeration) 70,499 (City as per Census 2,011)
 • Rank7th
 • Density8,851/km2 (22,920/sq mi)
 • Male
54,446
 • Female
47,672
Languages
 • OfficialHindi
 • NativeGarhwali
Time zoneUTC+5:30 (IST)
PIN
249201
Telephone code+91-135
Vehicle registrationUK-14
Literacy (2011)86.86%
• Male92.21%
• Female80.78%
• Rank2nd
Sex ratio (2011)875 / 1000

Rishikesh, also spelt as Hrishikesh, is a city near Dehradun in the Indian state Uttarakhand. The northern part of Rishikesh is in the Dehradun district while the southern part is in the Tehri Garhwal district. It is situated on the right bank of the Ganges River and is a pilgrimage town for Hindus, with ancient sages and saints meditating there in search of higher knowledge.[1][2] There are numerous temples and ashrams built along the banks of the river.[3]

It is known as the "Gateway to the Garhwal Himalayas" and "Yoga Capital of the World".[1][4][5][6] The city has hosted the annual International Yoga Festival on the first week of March since 1999.[7][8] Rishikesh is a vegetarian-only and alcohol-free city.[9]

The Tehri Dam is located 86 km (53 mi) away from Rishikesh. Uttarkashi, a popular yoga destination, is 170 km (110 mi) uphill on the way to Gangotri. Rishikesh is the starting point for traveling to the four Chota Char Dham pilgrimage places: Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri, and Yamunotri. It is also a starting point for Himalayan tourist destinations such as Harsil, Chopta, Auli, as well as summer and winter trekking destinations like Dodital, Dayara Bugyal, Kedarkantha and Har Ki Dun.

In September 2015, Indian Minister of Tourism Mahesh Sharma announced that Rishikesh and Haridwar would be the first "twin national heritage cities".[10] As of 2021, Rishikesh has a total population of 322,825 within the tehsil including the city and its 93 surrounding villages.[11]

The city is governed by Rishikesh Municipal Corporation and tehsil.

  1. ^ a b Ghose, Aruna, ed. (2011). "Rishikesh". DK Eyewitness Travel Guide: India. DK. p. 184. ISBN 978-0-75667-026-9. ISSN 1542-1554. Archived from the original on 24 March 2023. Retrieved 14 April 2019 – via Google Books.
  2. ^ Singh, Ranjeni A (3 April 2014). "Rishikesh: Haven for yoga and wellness enthusiasts". The Economic Times. Archived from the original on 26 April 2019. Retrieved 14 April 2019.
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference Alter2001 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ Bijalwan, Himanshu (7 December 2022). "Yoga School - Yoga Capital". www.blisstripdestination.com/. Bliss Trip destination. Archived from the original on 7 December 2022. Retrieved 7 December 2022.
  5. ^ Jha, Meenketan (27 August 2018). "5 Adventure Sports You Must Try in India". Outlook Traveller. Archived from the original on 8 August 2020. Retrieved 14 April 2019.
  6. ^ "Rishikesh's identity as yoga capital to be maintained". The Tribune. 1 March 2015. Archived from the original on 14 April 2019. Retrieved 14 April 2019.
  7. ^ Gusain, Raju (8 March 2018). "Rishikesh: Controversy-hit Parmarth Yoga fest ends". The Statesman. Archived from the original on 14 April 2019. Retrieved 14 April 2019.
  8. ^ "Yoga enthusiasts from across the globe flock to Rishikesh to be a part of this festival". The Times of India. 16 March 2019. Archived from the original on 7 May 2019. Retrieved 14 April 2019.
  9. ^ Ramadurai, Charukesi (4 January 2018). "My Kind of Place: Rishikesh, India". The National. Archived from the original on 14 April 2019. Retrieved 14 April 2019.
  10. ^ Sharma, Seema (19 August 2015). "Centre to declare Haridwar, Rishikesh national heritage cities". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 4 April 2019. Retrieved 14 April 2019.
  11. ^ "Rishikesh Population (2021/2022), Tehsil Village List in Dehradun, Uttarakhand". Archived from the original on 21 October 2021. Retrieved 21 October 2021.