ART-0524 Rishikesh: The Land of Rishis (Saints)

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Rishikesh is largely connected with meditation and related groups. Refer to the Teachers’ Book, pages 44, 59 and 145.

Rishikesh is a very peaceful town, and it is famous as a place to study yoga and meditation.

The town got its name when Raibhya Rishi performed tapasya (austerities) there. Lord Hrishikesh, another name for Lord Vishnu, came before the rishi and granted him darshan (viewing of His form).

Bharata, the younger brother of Lord Rama, performed severe penances here, after Lord Rama was banished to the forest for fourteen years. A temple of Bharata was constructed at Rishikesh and the town grew around it. At this temple the presiding deity is Lord Narayana in his incarnation as Rama.

At Lakshman Juala (bridge), which is two miles north of Rishikesh, Lakshman, Lord Rama’s younger brother, performed austerities. There is a Lakshman Temple by the bridge. Near this temple at Risha Kunda, Lord Rama and Lakshman took a bath to atone for the sin incurred for killing Ravana. The Lord is not considered to incur sin, but in order to set a good example, he performed this act.

There is also a seven-storey temple at Lakshman Jhula housing dioramas (displays) depicting spiritual subjects.

The Triveni Ghat is the main bathing ghat (place) where the holy rivers, the Ganges, the Yamuna and the subterranean Sarasvati flow together. “Pinda sraddha”, or offering to the forefathers, is performed here. Every day there is an evening Ganges arati (offering of lamps) at around 6pm.

There is a Shatrugna Temple at Muni-ki-Reti, dedicated to Shatrugna, the youngest brother of Lord Rama. At Muni-ki-Reti (the abode of the rishis) the Ganges emerges from the Himalayan foothills. The Balaji and Chandramoulesware Temple is constructed in the South Indian style. It is run in the same way as the temple in Tirupati and the temple services are identical.

Rishikesh is located 15 miles from Haridwar and 150 miles north-east of Delhi.