Rishikesh, Uttarakhand

Why this place matters

Rishikesh sits where the Ganga emerges from the Himalayan foothills. The name is traditionally explained as Hrishikesha, a name of Vishnu, and the area has long been a home of sages and ascetics. It is the gateway to the Char Dham pilgrimage in the hills.

For ancestor rites, Rishikesh is a quieter, smaller alternative to Haridwar, which lies a short drive away. The river runs clean and fast here, and many families who come for yoga, retreats or on their way to Badrinath and Kedarnath choose to offer Tarpan and a simple Shraddha while they are in the area. It is less famous as a Pind Daan centre than Gaya or Haridwar, and it is respectable to treat it as a place for Tarpan and prayer. Traditions vary; follow your family's custom or your priest's guidance.

Rituals performed here

• Triveni Ghat: The main ghat for bathing, Tarpan and offerings, and the site of the evening Ganga aarti. The name Triveni refers to the tradition of three sacred streams meeting here, two of them unseen. Priests are present to guide pilgrims.
• Other ghats: Further along the riverbank, quieter spots near Muni ki Reti and Lakshman Jhula are used for bathing and prayer. Ask your priest which is suitable.
• Temples: The Bharat temple, the Neelkanth Mahadev temple in the hills, and others are visited in the same trip.

The usual order is a bath, vow, Tarpan, and then a simple Shraddha, with pindas if you have the materials and a priest. For the general method see the Tarpan vidhi and Shraddha days guides on this site.

Best time to visit

Traditional occasions. Amavasya, Pitru Paksha and Makar Sankranti are good days. Rishikesh sees heavy pilgrim traffic from the plains during the Char Dham season.

Practical season. February to April and October to November are the most comfortable. December and January are cold in the mornings and evenings. May and June are hot and busy. The monsoon, from July to September, brings heavy rain; the Ganga rises and may cover the lower steps, and landslides on hill roads can disrupt travel. The rafting and yoga seasons also fill the town with visitors.

Planning your visit

Rishikesh has priests at the ghats who conduct Tarpan and Shraddha. Ask your family priest or relatives who have been for a name.

• Book through an official or well-reviewed channel, and agree on the scope of the rite and the dakshina (dakshina = the priest's offering) before beginning. Beware of touts on the bridges and ghat steps who push a puja package or a quick vow.
• Time needed: a Tarpan and simple Shraddha takes a few hours. Allow a day, and combine it with Haridwar or the hill road if you wish.
• Getting there: Rishikesh has a railway station, and the nearest airport is Jolly Grant near Dehradun, about thirty to forty minutes by road. Haridwar is a short drive.
• What to wear and carry: modest clothes you can bathe in, a spare set, a towel, sandals, a warm layer in winter, a hat and sunscreen in summer.

Practical tips

• The river is cold and very fast. Use the chains and steps, and keep a close hold on children. Do not swim outside marked bathing areas.
• The Lakshman Jhula and Ram Jhula bridges are busy with pedestrians and two-wheelers.
• Vegetarian food and no-alcohol custom apply in the temple areas; respect local rules.
• Book rooms in advance in the Char Dham season and on weekends.
• Official information is available from the Rishikesh and Dehradun district administration and the Uttarakhand tourism department.