Tour details as follows:
(Dehradun airport 21 km/30-40 min drive)/ Haridwar railway station (20 km / 40-50 min drive)
- At Jolly grant airport, Dehradun (21 km/30-40 min drive)/ Haridwar railway station (20 km / 40-50 min drive), meet and greet at arrival lounge/platform and proceed to Rishikesh – it is known as the “Gateway to the Garhwal Himalayas” and “Yoga Capital of the World”.
- Upon arrival at the hotel, after completing the formalities, check-in at the hotel.
- Later proceed to explore the Triveni ghat area – Every place in Rishikesh has a tale to tell. The tranquil temples, scenic beauty of the Himalayas, traditional Ganga Aarti, and the perennial charm of the mighty Ganges sing numerous stories of the past. Explore the magical city of Rishikesh and get mesmerized by the natural beauty of the pristine town. Indulge in a Rishikesh city tour and fill your presence with an essence that outlives time. Bharat mandir(temple) is considered to be the holiest shrine of Rishikesh and is at a 10minute walking distance from Triveni Ghat. It is also regarded as India’s oldest temple in the northern region. It is said that the city came into existence because of this temple.
- Experience the Ganga Arti in Triveni ghat. Also called the Maha Aarti, is an evening prayer performed on the banks of the River Ganga. As the river Ganga is believed to have powers to remove the pains and sufferings of people, thousands of devotees come to Rishikesh to experience the spiritual Ganga Aarti. The lighting of the lamps along with the recitation of sacred chants provides truly an unforgettable spiritual experience!! The aarti is accompanied by chanting of bhajans, beating drums, and bells. People lit oil diyas, put them on flower-filled leaf boats, and release them in the holy waters of the river. These illuminated lamps in the evening provide a beautiful view.
- There are also several shops and eating joints in the area which you can visit to experience the city culture.
- Back to the hotel.
- Dinner and overnight stay at hotel.
- Early morning proceeds to experience a magnificent sunrise from Kunjapuri temple- A spiritual sunrise view.
- Kunjapuri Temple is situated on the top of the hill Kunjapuri 1,676m high, 7 km away from Narendra Nagar, around 31km from Rishikesh, and 93km from Devaprayag (Confluence of 2 river Bhagirathi & Alaknanda).Kunjapuri temple on their way from Rishikesh to Gangotri. The sunrise and sunset view from the Himalayan peak is mesmerizing. After reaching the temple, one can shoot photographs and enjoy the surrounding beauty. Kunjapuri is the temple of Goddess Durga, as it is one of the thirteen Shakti Peethas (Power Centers) in the Shivalik Range and one of the three Shakti Peethas in the Tehri district established by Jagadguru Shankaracharya. The other two Shakti Peethas in the district are Surkanda Devi and Chandrabadni. Kunjapuri, along with these two peeth form a holy triangle.
- Back to the hotel for breakfast.
- Later proceed for the visit of Rishikesh – tour starts by walk from Laxman Jhula and after crossing the Laxman jhule visit Trimbakeshwar temple – Located near Laxman Jhula, Trayambakeshwar is one of the important holy shrines in Rishikesh. The temple is a 13-storied building with different Hindu deities inside. Mainly the shrine is considered as the abode of Lord Shiva as the name Trayambakeshwar means the same, ‘The Abode Of Three-Eyed’. The temple is believed to be one among the twelve Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva. There are many sections in the temple that comprise of Vedic and religious works.
- Experience local jeep ride from Laxman jhula to the Beatles ashram – It is a popular destination that lets you experience the legendary ashram where The Beatles had spent a great number of days to find internal peace and happiness. the Beatles, one of the most popular bands of the 60′s worldwide, visited Rishikesh in 1968. The band came to Rishikesh to partake in the Transcendental Meditation advanced training session. Maharishi Mahesh Yogi’s ashram conducted this session. The band’s stay at the ashram was considered their most productive time, with media eyes constantly on them. After the Beatles adopted Maharishi as their guru, it was found that the Western world changed its opinion about Indian Spirituality, giving rise to Transcendental Meditation there. A lot of graffiti, murals of band members, and paintings were done by visitors can be seen on the walls and façade of the ashram.
- After lunch, at the local ashram proceeds for the visit to Geeta ashram Swargashram. This is one of the main ancient shrine complexes in Rishikesh. The walls of the shrine bear the writings from the well-known epics Mahabharata and Ramayana. There is a meditation hall in the complex where the devotees assemble to say their prayers. The Ayurvedic department over here prepares medicines using the herbs from the Himalayas and water from River Ganga. Parmarth Niketan Ashram is positioned near Swargashram. Its president is Swami Chidanand Saraswatiji Maharaj. Ganga Aarti performed here every evening is worth watching and calms down ones senses and mind. There is also a Gurukul (a school) run by an ashram for teaching Yoga, Meditation, and other Hindu sacred ceremonies. ‘International Yoga Festival’ is organized by ashram every year in the month of February, in which people from all over the world participate.
- Witness the everyday evening ceremony of Ganga Aarti at Parmarth Niketan, it is organized and performed by ashram residents, particularly the children who are studying the Vedas there. The ceremony commences with the singing of bhajans, prayers, and a purifying and sacred ritual that takes place around a fire, with the offerings made to Agni, the fire god. The lamps are lit and the aarti takes place as the final part of the ceremony. The children sing along with the spiritual head of the ashram, in sweet, haunting voices. A huge statue of Lord Shiva overlooks the proceedings. Everyone present for the aarti was engaged likewise. Thus, innumerable floating lamps adorned the rapid current of the Ganga. The starry night sky seemed to be a reflection of the river below. The river, referred to as a mother, looked dazzling, clad in a sari embroidered in flickering flames of gold. Rishikesh was heaven in divinity’s lap.
- After aarti proceeds for the visit of Ram jhula by walk. After crossing Ram Jhula, board the transport for the hotel.
- Dinner & Overnight stay at hotel.
- Breakfast at the hotel.
- Proceed to Vasishta Gufa for meditation and yoga – The Vasishta Gufa is a hugely popular place for devotees who are interested in the art of meditation. Situated on the banks of the holy Ganga River, the Vasishta Gufa (cave) is at a distance of 22 km from Rishikesh. It is believed that many sages, siddhas, and saints who lived in the cave added to the holiness, spiritual vibrations, and glory of the sacred place. The cave is a natural formation of 60 feet deep that has a Shiva Linga inclined vertically into the Vasishta cave opening. Previously, the cave would extend for another 20 km inside till Ghanta Karna Mandir, before the passage was locked a few years back.
- Packed lunch in Vasishta Gufa.
- After packed lunch, proceed for the visit of Neelkanth Mahadev Temple – Neelkanth Mahadev Temple is a popular temple of Lord Shiva, which is situated at the height of 1330 m. The temple lies amidst the valleys of Manikoot, Brahmakoot, and Vishnukoot. Located at the confluence of the rivers Pankaja and Madhumati, this temple is bound by dense forests and mountain ranges of Nar-Narayan. The temple is named after Lord Shiva, who is also known as Neelkanth, as he drank the poison churned from the oceans. He stopped the poison in his throat, due to which his neck turned blue. The temple was built in the same place where this event took place. This temple is visited at the time of famous annual festivals, one in the month of Shravan (July-August) and the other during Shivratri. As this temple is situated on top of the hill, it provides a view of surrounding hills that are Vishnukoot, Manikoot, and Brahmakoot.
- After the visit to the temple proceed back to the hotel.
- Dinner & Overnight stay at hotel.
- Breakfast at the hotel.
- (Optional: Morning cycle tour of Rishikesh (5 km) – With this cycle tour in Rishikesh, you get to witness the eye-pleasing views of the misty location which is surrounded by lush greenery. This activity lets you grasp the soothing breeze of Rishikesh in a different way where you shall be traversing through the nooks and corners of Rishikesh lanes and streets. The cycle tour begins with Laxman Jhula which lets you gain glimpses of the great flora culture that you witness while riding through the forest floors. You also get a chance to visit and explore Beatles Ashram which holds you mesmerized with soothing music, mandalas, and thoughts. You pedal through the Parmarth Niketan where you get to meditate and absorb the immense peace that surrounds the location. After soothing your mind, you stop at Shatrugan Ghat which would let you come across immense calmness. You can detox your mind with a quick yoga session and chant prayers to the Almighty. You shall be accompanied with the assistance of experienced and trained guides who would let you know about the locations in the best possible way.)
- Organizing a ritual ceremony or private puja performed by a ritual Hindu priest in the hotel. A fire may be lit in honor of the deity Agni, without an idol or image present. . Puja is a prayer ritual performed by Hindus of devotional worship to one or more deities, or to host and honor a guest, or one to spiritually celebrate an event.
- Lunch at the hotel.
- Later proceed to explore Haridwar – The Gateway to Gods!!
- Haridwar is the destination where people from across India visit for pilgrimage and to take a holy dip into the holy river the Ganges. Haridwar city is ancient and it is one of the most sacred cities in India. The diverse nature of the Hindu religion has attracted foreign visitors from all around the world. Foreigners always attracted to Haridwar because here they can closely experience India’s complex culture, various Hindu rituals and ancient civilization.
- Visit of Har-Ki-Pauri, scared ghat of Haridwar – Har Ki Pauri is one of the most sacred Ghats in Haridwar and the only place where all the spiritual activities take place. The ghat is reckoned to have been built by King Vikramaditya in memory of his brother Brithari in the 1st century BC. The literal meaning of the term ‘Har Ki Pauri’- “Har” means “Lord Shiva”, Ki” means “of” and “Pauri” means “steps”. Priest of the nearby temples says that during the Vedic times, Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu believed to have visited Brahmakund in Har Ki Pauri. The Ghat got its name from the foot imprint of the Lord Vishnu, the imprints of the same are present on one of the stones of the Ghat. In geographical terms, Haridwar is the place where the river Ganges descends from the Gangotri glacier to the Indo-Gangetic plains of North India. Har Ki Pauri remains busy during the Ardh Kumbh Mela, Vaisakhi festival, Kanwar Yatra, and Magh Mela. Also, it is one of the four incredible sites in India that hosts the Kumbh Mela, during which millions bathe in the Ganga River.
- Experience the Ganga Aarti in Har-Ki-Pauri, is a magnificent event that attracts around 3,000 to 30,000 tourists every evening. The number of tourists can even touch a lakh during times of important festivals. The evening ritual commences with the bringing of an idol of Ganga from a small temple that is located nearby.
- Back to Rishikesh.
- Dinner and overnight stay at hotel.
- Breakfast at the hotel.
- After completing the formalities of check-out, proceed to Jolly grant airport, Dehradun, or Haridwar railway station for onward journey.
