Places to visit in Rishikesh: (Within city)
Bharat Mandir: Most ancient temple in Rishikesh. Rishikesh is named after this temple. Bharat Mandir is Temple of Vishnu. It was built in 8 century by Shankaracharya.
Lakshman Jhula: Iron rope suspension bridge over the River Ganga. The bridge surrounded by ashrams, yoga centres, temples, market and hotels. It is like a main center of tourists.
Ram Jhula: Another Iron rope suspension bridge over the River Ganga just 2 kms far from Lakshman Jhula. This bridge is mainly surrounded by some famous ashrams and market.
Sivananda Ashram: One of the popular ashrams in Rishikesh. It is close to Ram Jhula. Ashram was founded by Swami Sivananda. The Ashram has temple and shrine of Swami Sivananda.
Gita Bhavan: One of the largest ashram in Rishikesh. This ashram has nice Lord Vishnu Temple. Ancient teachings from hindu culture are written on the walls of ashram.
Parmarth Niketan: One of the most popular ashram in Rishikesh. Their evening ceremony is one of the must do things in Rishikesh. Inside the ashram there is also small temples.
Bhootnath Temple: This temple is behind the Parmarth Niketan. Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. it is not mush popular but it provides panoramic view of Rishikesh.
Triveni Ghat: They have traditional Ganga Aarti here on the bank of the Ganga. This ghat is famous among the locals for morning and evening walk. In morning time you can also see some rituals done by the people on the bank of the Ganga.
Beatles Ashram: Maharishi Mahesh Yogi Ashram is now also known as Beatles Ashram because The Beatles came here in 1960s. Ashram is closed now and mostly you will see old damaged buildings. Entry is not allowed officially but some people enter after paying some money to guard.
Lakshman Temple: This temple is located very close to the Lakshman Jhula. Temple is dedicated to Lord Lakshman (Brother of Lord Ram).
Raghunath Temple & Rishikund: This temple is dedicated to Lord Ram. It is said that Saint Kubj was blessed by the River Yamuna Here. Rishikund is small water source where water was filled with water of Yamuna.
Gurudwara Shri Hemkund Sahib: Sikh Religion Temple is centrally located in Rishikesh. The temple complex also contains community kitchen and guest house.
Trambakeshwar Temple: Large Temple complex just close to Lakshman Jhula. Temple has total 13 floors and on each floor there are small temples of multiple gods.
Veerbhadra Temple: This is also ancient temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva created Veerbhadra here to kill King Daksha. The temple is in Veerbhadra area.
Places to visit: (Little outside)
Rajaji National Park: Rajaji National Park is just 20 kms far from Rishikesh. Chilla range is also most popular range here for Jungle Safari. Park is open for tourist from November to June. Park has more than thousand elephants in the national park.
Neergaddu Waterfall: This waterfall is just a 5 kms far from Lakshman Jhula on Badrinath Road. Waterfall is accessible by trek only. If you have bigger vehicle than you need to trek more. Normally it is 4 kms trek. There is entry fees for the waterfall starting from INR 30 per person.
Vashishtha Cave: The great sage Vashistha meditated here in the on the bank of the Ganga. This is peaceful place on the bank of the Ganga. You can sit inside the cave. This place is 24 kms far from Rishikesh on Badrinath Road. Cave is closed between 12 to 03 PM.
Kunjpauri Temple: The Temple is dedicated to Goddess Shakti. Temple is 25 kms far near Narendra Nagar. The Temple is highest point near Rishikesh so you will have amazing views. Sunset and sunrise are very beautiful here.
Neelkanth Mahadev Temple: The Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is believed that Lord Shiva meditated here after drinking poison to save the world. The temple is 27 kms far from Rishikesh. The temple is on the top of the hill. By trek it is 14 kms one way.
Places you can cover from Rishikesh:
Haridwar: Haridwar is nearest pilgrimage town. If you are fisrt time to Rishikesh you must visit Haridwar. Haridwar is just 30 kms far from Rishikesh. Haridwar is ancient town famous for taking holy dip in the River Ganga. The city has many popular temples. Evening Ganga Aarti is worth to watch.
Mussoorie: Mussoorie is popular hill station (altitude – 2000 meters). Mussoorie is 80 kms far from Rishikesh. You can visit kempty fall (waterfall), Gun Hill (for himalaya view) & Mall Road (main road where you can stroll) Mussoorie is You can get glimpses of himalayas.
Devprayag: Devprayag is 80 kms far from Rishikesh. Devprayag has holy confluence of Alaknanda and Bhagirathi River. After this confluence the River is known as the Ganga. In Devprayag you can visit the confluence and the Raghunath Temple. On the way you can visit Vashishtha cave.
Dehradun: Dehradun is state capitol of Uttarakhand. Dehradun is famous for its boarding schools. You can visit Forest Research Museum, Tapkeshwar Temple, Paltan Bazzar & Buddha Temple here. Dehradun is 45 kms far.
Dhanaulti: Dhanaulti is hill station (altitude – 2286 meters). This is very small town mainly famous for its views of Himalaya & quite environment with alpine forest of Deodar Rhododendron and Oak trees. Here you can visit Surkanda Devi Temple and Dhanaulti Eco Park.
Chamba and Tehri: Chamba and Tehri is small towns little far from Rishikesh. There is also Tehri Dam is close to Tehri. You can visit Kunjapuri Temple on the way to Tehri. It will be approx 90 kms one way drive to visit these places.
Other Destinations Near Rishikesh:
Lansdowne (140 kms), Chakrata (140 kms), Chopta (180 kms), Corbett (200 kms), Yamunotri (220 kms drive and 6 kms trek), Kedarnath (220 kms drive and 18 kms trek, Harsil (250 kms), Gangotri (270 kms), Shimla (275 kms), Nainital (280 kms), Ranikhet (280 kms), Hemkund Sahib (280 kms drive and 19 kms trek), Valley of Flowers (280 kms drive and 19 kms trek), Badrinath (300 kms), Auli (300 kms), Kausani (300 kms), Mathura (370), Agra (415 kms), Amritsar (450 kms), Dharamshala (460 kms), Manali (480 kms), Jaipur (530 kms).