Rishikesh(Hindi:

, Rishikesh) is a city and a municipal board in Dehradun district now in the Indian state of Uttarakhand.

Located in the foothills of the Himalayas in northern India, it is known as The Gateway to the Garhwal Himalayas.[1] Rishikesh is surrounded by three other districts namely Tehri Garhwal, Pauri Garhwal and Haridwar. It is located approximately 20 km north of the holy city Haridwar. Rishikesh has a permanent population of around 75,000.
Contents
[hide]

1 Etymology 2 History 3 Yoga Center 4 Geography 5 Education

5.1 Schools

6 Demographics 7 Adventure sports 8 Gallery 9 References

Etymology[edit]
"Hkea" (Sanskrit: ) is a name of Vishnu that means 'lord of the senses'.[2][3] The root words Hrishik and ish join together to make Hrishikesh. Hrishik means Senses and ish means master or Lord. Hence the word means Lord of Senses or Lord Vishnu. The place gets its name after Lord Vishnu who appeared to 'Raibhya Rishi',[4] as a result of his tapasya (austerities), as Lord Hrishikesh.[5] In Skanda Purana, this area is known as 'Kubjamrak' as Lord Vishnu appeared, under a mango tree. [3] Another legend says that fierce fire broke out here. Lord Shankar was angry with Lord Agni and cursed him. Then Lord Agni prayed here for the expiation of his sins. Hence it is also known as Agni Tirth - The holy place to penance of Lord Agni or Fire God.[6] The name Rishikesh is loosely applied to an association of five distinct sections encompassing not only the town but also hamlets and settlements on both sides of the river Ganges. These include Rishikesh itself, the commercial and communication hub; the sprawling suburb Muni-ki-Reti or the "sands of the sages"; Shivananda Nagar the home of Sivananda Ashram and the Divine Life Society founded by Swami Sivananda, north of Rishikesh; the temple section of Lakshman Jhula, a little further north; and the assorted Ashrams around Swarg Ashram on the east bank. The Ganga Aarti performed at dusk at the Triveni Ghat is popular with visitors. Neelakanta Maha Deva Temple (or, 'Neelkanth Mahadev Temple'), situated 28 km from Rishikesh, amidst forest is also a popular local pilgrimage, along with 'Vasishtha Guha', (Cave of sage Vasishtha), 21 km up from the town by the Ganges.

History[edit]
Rishikesh has been a part of the legendary 'Kedarkhand' (the present day Garhwal).[7] Legends state that Lord Rama did penance here for killing Ravana, the demon king of Lanka; and Lakshmana, his younger brother, crossed the river Ganges, at a point, where the present 'Lakshman Jhula' ( ) bridge stands today, using a jute rope bridge.[8] The 'Kedar Khand' of Skanda Purana, also mentions the existence of Indrakund at this very point. The jute-rope bridge was replaced by iron-rope suspension bridge in 1889, and after it was washed away in the 1924 floods, it was replaced by a stronger present bridge. The sacred river Ganges flows through Rishikesh. It is here that the river leaves the Shivalik mountains in the Himalayas and flows out into the plains of northern India. Several temples, ancient as well as new, can be found along the banks of the Ganges in Rishikesh. As with Haridwar about an hour south, Rishikesh is considered by Hindus to be a holy city and is vegetarian by law.

Yoga Center[edit]

A statue of Shiva meditating atParmarth Niketan on the Ganges River

Rishikesh Hrushikesh Behera, sometimes nicknamed "the world capital of Yoga", has numerous yoga centres that also attract tourists. It is believed that meditation in Rishikesh brings one closer to attainment of moksha, as does a dip in the holy river that flows through it. Rishikesh is world famous for Rafting and Adventure. Rafting season starts from the month of March and ends in September. Rishikesh is also home to the 120-year old Kailas Ashram Brahmavidyapeetham, an institution dedicated to preserve and promote the traditional Vedantic Studies. Prominent personalities such as Swami Vivekananda, Swami Rama Tirtha and Swami Shivananda have studied in this institution. In February 1968, The Beatles visited the now-closed[citation needed] Maharishi Mahesh Yogi's ashram in Rishikesh.[9] John Lennon recorded a song titled, 'The Happy Rishikesh Song'.[10][dead link][11] The Beatles composed nearly 48 songs during their time at the Maharishi's ashram,[12] many of which appear on the White Album.[citation needed] Several other artists, including Mike Love and Donovan, visited the site to contemplate and meditate.[13] Former royal palace of the Maharaja of Tehri Garhwal at near by Narendra Nagar, now houses theAnandaIn the Himalayas destination spa and yoga retreat, estb. 2000.[14]

Geography[edit]
Rishikesh is located at 30.103368N 78.294754E. It has an average elevation of 372 metres (1,745 feet).[citation needed] The Tehri Dam is just 80 km uphill on the way to Gangotri. Rishikesh is the starting point for travelling to the four Chota Char Dham pilgrimage places Badrinath, Kedarnath,Gangotri, and Yamunotri. Rishikesh is also famous for ayurvedic treatments. Many ayurveda centre are run where ayurvedic classes are given by ayurvedic doctors.
[hide]Climate data for Rishikesh Month Jan
20

Feb
23 (73) 9 (48) 33 (1.3)

Mar
29 (84) 14 (57) 34 (1.34)

Apr
35 (95) 18 (64) 9 (0.35)

May
35 (95) 23 (73) 20 (0.79)
[citation needed]

Jun
33 (91) 25 (77) 94 (3.7)

Jul
32 (90) 25 (77) 482 (18.98)

Aug
32 (90) 24 (75) 495 (19.49)

Sep
32 (90) 23 (73) 219 (8.62)

Oct
30 (86) 17 (63) 76 (2.99)

Nov
26 (79) 11 (52) 9 (0.35)

Dec
22 (72) 8 (46) 17 (0.67)

Yea

29.1

Average high C (F)

(68) 7

(84.4

17

Average low C (F)

(45) 51

(62.5

1,53

Precipitation mm (inches)
(2.01)

(60.5

Education[edit]
Schools[edit]

DRS Edify Kids, Rishikesh - 7830101090, Shemford Futuristic School - Rishikesh, Omkarananda Saraswati Nilayam - (Muni-ke-reti) , Rishikesh Public School sarswati vidya mandir awas vikas, gururam rai public school rishikesh, Maa Anand Mayee Memorial School, Satyanarayan, Rishikesh, Modern School, Rishikesh shri bharat mandir public school ,jhanda chowk, rishikesh

Demographics[edit]
As per provisional data of 2011 census Rishikesh had a population of 102,138, out of which males were 54,466 and females were 47,672. The literacy rate was 86.86 per cent compared to national average of 74.04%.[15] See also: List of cities in Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh According to 2001 census,As of 2001 India census,[16] Rishikesh had a population of 59,671. Males constitute 56% of the population and females 44%. Rishikesh has an average literacy rate of 85%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 90%, and female literacy is 78%. In Rishikesh, 12% of the population is under 6 years of age. Being a part of Garhwal division , Garhwali culture is prevalent in and around the city. Garhwali and Hindi are most spoken languages.

Adventure sports[edit]
Rishikesh is becoming a popular spot for white water rafting enthusiasts, both from India and abroad, as the Ganges offers medium to rough rapids rated class 3 and class 4.[17] It is also a center for hiking and backpacking.[18] Recently, bungee jumping has also been introduced in Rishikesh, the first and only bungee jumping camp in India. [citation needed]