Rishikesh is located in Dehradun district of Uttarakhand State of India. It is also known as Hrishikesh is governed by Rishikesh Municipal Corporation since 2017 October. The Union tourism minister Mahesh Sharma announced that Haridwar and Rishikesh are the first in india to be given the title of "Twin national heritage cities due to its significance religious of the place, alcohol and non-vegetarian food are strictly prohibited in Rishikesh. The city hosts the annual international Yoga Festival on the every year during 1st week of March since 1989.
Rishikesh is known as the Capital of Yogo in the world. The Yoga festivals in Rishikesh are one of the most popular in the country of India. Lectures and yogo lessons are conducted by experts in this field during which yoga teachers from different parts of the country to attend this. Participating in satsangs and meditation sessions also form a major part of the yoga festival in the city of Rishikesh. Every Day Ganga Aarti is done on the bank of holy river Maa Ganga.
The history of Rishikesh states various mythical stories associated with this place. It was here in Rishikesh a famous saint named Raibhya Rishi performed penance on the banks of river Ganga. As a reward for his strong penance God Vishnu appeared to him in the form of Hrishikesh and so the place was referred by the name Hrishikesh which lated became famous by the name of Rishikesh. God Ram's younger brother Bharat himself has performed deep amends here, that is why even today there stands the Bharat temple after his name.
However Rishikesh became a noted religious pilgrimage place only after the visit of Adi Shankaracharya in the 9th Century AD who was one of the famous religious leader of contemporary times. Yet there is another version of history which says that the name Rishikesh is derived from the word Hrishikesh, is another name of Lord Vishnu who killed the demon Madhu here.
The well-known places of Rishikesh to visit are triveni Ghat, Bharat Temple,Lakshman Jhula,Ran Jhula, Kailash Niketan Temples, Neelkanth Mahadev Temple, Vashisht cave.
Rishikesh is famous for adventure sports like River Rafting, Bungee Jumping, Camping and Bonfire, Mountain Biking, Flying Fox, Chiff Jumping, Body Surfing, Trekking, Rappelling and rock climbing, Kayaking, Ayurvedic Massage and Therapies, Parasailing and paragliding, Hot Air Ballooning, Water Trekking, Wildlife Sighting and many more.
