Offbeat Camping in Rishikesh

Lakshman Jhula happens to be one of the famous hanging bridges across the holy river Ganga. The jhula is a link in between two important villages in Rishikesh. It connects the Tapovan village in Tehri Garhwal and Jonk village in Pauri Garhwal. The bridge is made up of iron and it is almost 450 feet long, which is suspended at an elevation of almost 70 feet above the river. Lakshman Jhula has been one of the centres for tourist attraction since its inception for its amazing association of the Hindu Mythology. As per the popular Hindu mythology, Ramayan, it is believed that Lord Ram and his brother Lakshman had crossed the Ganga river at the same place, where the bridge has been built. The bridge was opened for public in the year 1929.  In recent times, in order to boost the tourist footfall, many other developments have been carried out around the famous Lakshman Jhula. Tourists now love to spend a considerable amount of time in these places in the course of their Rishikesh Trip. You can not only visit the Lakshman Jhula, but you can also spend time in some of the other nearby tourist attractions like Tera Manzil Temple, Ram Jhula, and Lakshman temple. Let us get to know more about this religious place of worship.History of Lakshman Jhula- Lakshman Jhula has its significance in the most popular Hindu Mythology, Ramayana. As per the tales, Lord Ram and Lakshman had crossed the river Ganga at this place. The duo crossed the river Ganga with the help of just two ropes. In order to praise this act of fearlessness, Lakshman Jhula was built. This 284 feet long suspended bridge was the main point of contact between the villages until the year 1889. However, one of the floods in the year 1924 completely washed away the bridge. Initially the Lakshman Jhula was made up of jute, however, after the floods, it was replaced by a much stronger and sturdier iron bridge in the year 1939. The reconstruction was instigated in the same place and the name of the bridge was also not changed as per the significances. The bridge now stands tall above the river Ganga and happens to be one of the major tourist attractions in the tourism corridor of Rishikesh. However, the Lakshman Jhula is no more used for communication from 12th July 2019 for safety concerns. This bridge is almost 96 years old and it is not capable of handling the load of the current traffic. In order to preserve this iconic tourist attraction, one more bridge has been built and the Lakshman Jhula stands as a mere tourist attraction near to it. 

Ram Jhula is one of the most iconic places in Rishikesh and if you are planning a pilgrimage to the city, or just visiting for a holiday, you must stop by this iconic bridge. It is a suspension bridge, built entirely out of iron and the length of the bridge is around 450 feet. It was constructed in the year 1986, by the PWD. The bridge is located over the holy Ganga river and it connects Sivananda Nagar in Muni Ki Reti, in the district of Tehri Garhwal in the west to Swargashram in the district of Pauri Garhwal, in the east.This bridge can be found in the state of Uttarakhand, approximately 3 kilometres away from the main town of Rishikesh. It is a comfortable walking distance from Rishikesh, and if you like long walks in the midst of stunning scenery then you can walk the length of the bridge as well. People can also traverse the bridge with bikes or cycles. A number of holy ashrams and Hindu religious centres and temples can be found lining the side of the bridge. These ashrams encompass the true essence of Rishikesh, with their peace, hospitality and piety. Another well-known bridge in the area is the Lakshman Jhula, which is lengthier than Ram Jhula and is situated 2 kilometres upriver, on the banks of the Ganga. One of the most memorable experiences you can enjoy at the Ram Jhula is overlooking the holy city of Rishikesh from the bridge itself in all its natural and historical glory, surrounded by the river and the mighty mountains. History of Ram JhulaThe famous Ram Jhula was initially a bridge made of very strong jute ropes, tightly intertwined to give it strength and to help it bear the weight of passers-by. It did not have any pillars to provide structural support in the beginning. Later, it was re-constructed with iron in the year 1986 by the PWD under government supervision. Since it is located in the spiritual and holy city of Rishikesh, the name of the bridge is derived from the Aryan King- Lord Ram- the protagonist of the epic Ramayana. The other famous bridge on the river is the Lakshman Jhula. The story goes that in the era of Ram’s reign, Lakshman had crossed the Ganga with the help of two ropes. To commemorate this mythological event, the Lakshman Jhula was constructed with ropes, in the year 1889. Therefore, a gesture of sibling love and camaraderie between the two brothers- Ram and Lakshman, the second bridge was named ‘Ram, indicative of the divine bond between the two brothers. About Ram Jhula MarketKeeping in mind the vast number of tourists and pilgrims who visit the place every year, there are innumerable shops and markets near the starting and ending point of the bridge. The Ram Jhula Market can be found in the point where the bridge ends, where you can find shops selling everything imaginable- from groceries to mementoes and religious tokens. You can find religious sculptures, statues and framed pictures of different gods and goddesses, dress materials, jewellery and other artefacts available in the markets. One can buy authentic semi-precious stones and gems at reasonable prices from here as well. Shoppers can choose from beautiful, ethnic, locally sourced handicraft items to bright and comfortable cotton clothes like sarees, lehengas and cholis, all at reasonable prices. 

 Adventurers know Rishikesh as the land of river rafting as it is one of the most popular destinations for this activity anywhere in India. So if you are planning a trip to Rishikesh, make sure not to skip this adrenaline-pumping adventure of rafting through the blustery waters of River Ganga. As your raft glides along with the swift river, you will also have a chance to catch the undiluted charm of the Himalayan foothills.Three different stretches of the river, ranging from 9 km to 26 km, are open for rafting. These stretches feature grade 3, grade 4, and grade 5 rapids, so whether you are seeking hardcore adventure or you are a beginner, rafting in Rishikesh is ideal for all. To give a boost to your adrenaline rush, the rafting experience also offers opportunities for cliff jumping and body surfing.Highlights: Long stretches, various rapid grades, and beautiful scenery.Timings: 7 am to 10 pmPrice: INR 600 per person