Things to do in Rishikesh, India

Polina Lowery
Apr 18, 2018
3 min read

Rishsikesh is truly a beautiful town and it stole my heart! If you decided to go to India, spare couple of days and visit this city that is known as the birthplace of yoga. Located far enough from bigger cities but yet a short flight away from New Delhi, it is kissed by the clean fresh waters of Ganga river, is full of live, discoveries, delicious food and shopping! At first one might feel completely overwhelmed with endless shops, vendors trying to get your attention, maneuvering through the traffic and trying not to run into other people, bikes, cows or cow's poop. It's a lot, right? I came home after the first day out with a horrible headache from all of that and I swear I could hear the bike's honks for days! Good news, you get used to it and even remember after a while all the little nooks, shops and staircases. Another reality check, if you want to get in and out of places... Well, I'm just going to say it, it won't happen! Food takes at least 30 min to make, so sit back, enjoy tea with a book or crown watching - it's great! Also, people will be walking in to the shop and you will be sharing your vendor's attention with them. Undecided attention is a very rare animal over there. Embrace the feeling of comment, work on your karma and remember to bargain in the shops!

Here is the list that was passed along to me that I added the places and my commentary to. Enjoy and please feel free to share or ask any question in the comments!

Food

Shambala cafe - this place stole my heart, everything that I had there was amazing. My favorite probably are ginger-lemon-honey tea, pomegranate juice, moms and banana splitters.

60's cafe aka Beatles cafe - the best vegan burger in town, a great break from shopping with a view. It has an interesting schedule, can get super busy and often runs out of burgers so be sure not to give up! It's worth it.

Ira’s cafe - masala chai (tea with milk and spices) and paratha (potato flat bread)

Royal cafe (great view and Israeli food)

Juice house - next to Ram Jhula bridge (any and all freshly made juices)

Shiva Momo & Falafal bar (the best Tibetan dumplings in town)

Zorba café Little Buddha (another great place to enjoy the view) German bakery (chocolate balls and carrot cake) Ramanas café - orphanage project Vashista cave Lucky cafe Ganga Beach cafe Ganga view cafe Anna’s cafe Yoga Omkarananda Ashram - Usha classes Nada yoga school - Shree Parveen Nair

(both are senior Iyengar Teacher) Places Laxman Jhula bridge

Trayambakeshwar (Hindu temple, drop off your shoes, you may be asked for a donation, walk through the spiral of the building, take in the view and ring a bell or two. An absolute MUST SEE).

The Beatles ashram (600 rup to enter, get lost in the abandoned well-kept building of the place where the legendary group once was learning how to meditate while writing one of their most famous songs). Experience Walk around the city and have a bath in Ganga river (pick a beach with calm water and no current)

Waterfalls (find local friends and enjoy a half day adventure) Ceremony Poojah every Sunday night around 5pm at Parmarth Aarti Sthall or in front of yoga niketan (arrive early to get a good seat) Cooking classes in town 1000-2000 rup or with Babli Kitchen around 500 rup per person(phone numbers to schedule a class - 8192865029 or 01352440192)

Hiking tours up the mountain with Babli's husband (call them)

Holi festival - first week of March, colorful corn starch powder being thrown everywhere at you, buy cheap cloths or get some for free from Scorpion shop and have fun! Places to stay Sono Guest house Rishikesh Hymalyan guest house ramjhula Yoga Niketan Ashram Shops Ganga Emporium bookshop by the bridge Banyan tree - another book store Osho Point - jewellery next to music shop in Laxman Jhula 11:11 artisan Collective - fun higher quality artisan items from cloths to dream catchers Jewellery mines - higher quality jewelery Scorpion - large selection of cotton clothing, family owned and operated shop, always friendly and be sure to have some tea or coffee Lhasa Tibet shop - fun inexpensive jewelry Kandari daily needs and stationary - little shop in Upper Tapovan with every day needs, books