| On the banks of the Ganges, Rishikesh is home to | | | | areas that are ideal for meditation; these can be found |
| sages and saints, a gateway to the Himalaya, a | | | | only on foot. It is indeed primarily a walking city, but |
| paradise for lovers of New-Age spiritual practices, and | | | | shared tempos (motorized rickshaws) can be used to |
| the self-proclaimed yoga capital of the world. For | | | | get around. In the evenings, most temples hold the |
| Hindus it is the starting point of pilgrimages to the Char | | | | Ganga Arti, in which priests light huge candles to |
| Dham, the four sacred cities of Yamunotri, Gangotri, | | | | venerate the river with chanting and the tolling of |
| Kedarnath, and Badrinath. | | | | temple bells. |
| Walking around the narrow lanes of Rishikesh, you are | | | | The closest airport is the Jolly Grand in Dehradun, with |
| surrounded by the young and old in a rainbow of attire: | | | | flights from Delhi. From there take a taxi to Rishikesh. |
| sadhus with dreadlocks and painted faces; hippies in | | | | You can also get trains and buses direct from Delhi to |
| jeans; traditional Hindus; small children in saffron robes | | | | Rishikesh. There are hotels to suit every budget, but |
| who are learning to pray; and tourists from all over the | | | | book in advance. A week is generally enough to get a |
| world. Monkeys and cows (sacred to Hindus) wander | | | | good sense of the city and its nearby ashrams and |
| the city freely. The temples and idols in Rishikesh are | | | | temples. Be very careful if you take a dip in the |
| not devoted to any one god, and it is equally known as | | | | Ganges. The current is very fast even if the surface |
| a center of yoga and Ayurvedic healing, spiritual | | | | looks calm. Alcohol is not allowed in the city, and most |
| retreat, and music and dance classes. | | | | restaurants serve vegetarian meals without garlic. |
| Along the Ganges on the eastern side of the city lie | | | | |