Recently returned from India, most For a time I lived in the city of Dehradun, in the north of the country, not far from the Himalayas. I was staying with a friend who is a local and in all my two weeks we have visited many amazing places both in Dehradun and other cities. There are a lot of impressions, but I would especially like to note the trip to Rishikesh, which is located about 40 kilometers from Dehradun. It was exclusively my idea to go to Rishikesh, after all world capital yoga and all things. At the same time, my friend tried to dissuade me from this trip in every possible way, arguing that there was nothing to see there and, in general, the town was filthy. But, being close to Rishikesh and not being there did not suit me. By that time, I had already settled a little in India and decided to go alone. So the price for a city bus is 51 rupees (ruble) one way, it takes about 1 - 1.5 hours to go from Dehradun. During this time, I managed to find out on the Internet that all the main attractions are located in the "old" Rishikesh, so it was decided to immediately go there, on foot, the city is not very big.
Upon arrival at the bus station in Rishikesh, I checked the direction on GoogleMaps and walked along the side of the road in the direction I wanted. A picture of a terrible garbage dump immediately opened to my eyes, which lasted all the way (about 500m before the turn) to the left of the road. In addition to the garbage, there were, swarming, lying around, sleeping a lot of pigs that live here, like dogs in Russia, several cows and possibly goats, I definitely did not see in the distance. While I was walking I saw them about a hundred pigs, from the smallest to medium sizes, kept by families.
There was also an incomprehensible structure in this dump, you can see "local practitioners". To be honest, in India one of the most acute problems is really pollution of places of residence (habitation) with household waste, it is found everywhere where people live, but in Rishikesh it seemed to me that they surpassed all other cities in which I managed to visit.
Having reached the old city and moving up the main street, many shops are full of advertisements for rafting down the Ganges on inflatable boats (there are most of them) and various extreme entertainments. There are also banners outside the city.
But I want to warn you right away, if you decide to "float", keep in mind that there may be a little more extreme than you expect.
There are plenty of ads in the city for a variety of types of yoga. The capital, after all.
On the way, I met a bridge across the Ganges, in my opinion Ram Jula. He made no impression on me, bridge yes bridge. A lot of people walk through it, they drive cows, ride motor scooters and bicycles. All this with a bridge width of about 1.7 meters.
Lots of tourists and different countries, including from India). After a few days in Dehradun, it was unusual for me to see so many European faces. I also met a group from Russia.
In general, I walked through the city, looking into some nooks and crannies, in about an hour or more. I looked at the Ganges from the embankment. Nothing special.
Due to his topographical error, he left the city and went on, believing that the most beauty of the city is yet to come. On the way, I came across a sign. But then I did not pay due attention to her. Well, another waterfall. After Kempty Fall for Massouri, I did not think that something could surprise me.
A signpost and a uniformed man clarified the situation a little, indicating that the city was over.
Turned around and went back. On the way, a local stopped in a jeep and offered to give me a ride. I asked what interesting things can be seen in the city. He thought a little and replied that perhaps the most interesting thing is the waterfall, to which I immediately did not pay attention. He asked to drop me off next to the waterfall, thanked him and went to look. The ticket costs 30 rupees for foreigners and they still require a passport. Although the ticket office is located somewhere away from the main entrance and many, in my opinion, simply ignore it.
The ascent to the waterfall took about 40 minutes on foot, with breaks you can walk for an entire hour. Just before the waterfall, we met 10 macaques climbing the bushes next to the road.
The waterfall itself turned out to be quite okay.
Plus there are many many different monkeys that can be seen eating food brought by tourists and garbage.
Before starting to descend back into the city, I decided to check where the road leads from the waterfall. It was barely noticeable and went high into the mountains. I walked up for a long time. The view opened up beautiful views of the city and the Ganges from above.
At the top, a small village was waiting for me and a couple of tractors building a road. After passing the village, I decided to go back, because my legs were already starting to hurt. I was picked up by a local resident on a moped, offering to go down together. Along the way, telling that there is really nothing to see in the city. This city is more for various pilgrims, yoga practitioners and lovers of "expanding consciousness".
He drove me to the very embankment, where I walked a little and went back to the station.
At the station, Rishikesh put the last point in our acquaintance with him. Every bus to Dehradun was hammered in the blink of an eye (seats). The locals began to run to the new bus while it was still driving to the place where it stopped and beat it up instantly.
I decided to wait for the next bus and witness a disgusting picture. One local resident became uncomfortable, it can be seen from the local food, and since it is dangerous to get off the bus - it can leave at any time or they will take a place, she began to relieve her stomach right from the bus window in the middle of the bus station in several passes. The bus left, and a pig ran up to the puddle and let's eat the whole thing.))) I licked everything up.
This is the face Rishikesh showed me. I do not argue that there may be many quality yoga schools and opportunities to enlighten and rise, but there are also ugly things. For tourism, in my opinion, the city is of no value. In India, you can find places much grander and more beautiful.
Decided to visit India, but not sure where to go? You should definitely set aside time for such a glorious city as Rishikesh. It is here that a tourist can see miracles and plunge into a world full of secrets. If you are fond of yoga, then you should definitely look into Rishikesh, because it is the world capital of yoga. It can also be called the Gateway to the Himalayas, which already speaks of some kind of magic.
Maybe you just want to plunge into the Indian atmosphere and pay attention to the many attractions of the city? Then here are the top 10 popular attractions of this Indian town. Definitely, the tourist will not be bored here.
Shri Trayanbakshwar Temple or Wedding Cake
There is a huge number of temples in Rishikesh, one of the most popular is the so-called "Wedding cake". This temple is a 13-storey building, which is located near the bridge in Lakshman jula.
On each floor there are rooms in which Indian deities are located in the form of a statue. Also, on each floor there are souvenir shops and bells that you can ring. On the top floor there is the main guru in the temple, who blesses the tourist for good luck and expects a monetary reward for this.
The peculiarity of the temple is that it is the only one dedicated to Mother India. Visiting this temple, a tourist will be able to learn about Indian culture and even about the history of India. Bharat Mata also contains a relief map showing the Tibetan plateau and the Indian subcontinent. Anyone can see and even touch, very exciting.
You can find this village if you go up the eastern bank of the Ganges. This way you can find the oldest district in Rishikesh, which is called the sadhu village. This village is inhabited by people who have renounced civilization and have the goal of freeing their souls through meditation and cognition of God.
Sadhus do not enjoy any material benefits. After looking at life in the village, you can go to the Ganges beach, but women should remember that swimming is allowed only in clothes.
One of the most beautiful sights of the city is the wide beautiful embankment, which contains many sculptures and images of Indian deities. It is here that a divine service is held, which is dedicated to the goddess of the Ganges River (the so-called arati ceremony). Fire is presented to her as a gift.
Tourists, sharing their impressions, say that this is a wonderful and truly emotional sight. The ceremony, by the way, takes place here every evening, so every tourist can enjoy this spectacle. Walking along Triveni Ghat, a tourist rests with his heart and soul, enjoys beautiful views rivers and mountains that are located on the other side of Ghana.
This place also resembles a promenade, which has a garden and many sculptures of Indian deities. In fact, this is the largest ashram in Rishikesh (the abode of sages in India). In the ashram there is about 1000 rooms, where a tourist can devote all his time to meditation or just enjoying the beautiful views and clean atmosphere.
Various cultural and spiritual programs are often held here, in which tourists can happily participate. There are also daily activities that include morning prayers, lecture programs, meditation classes and the world famous Ganges arati ceremony. The entrance is open to anyone.
Location: Main Market Road.
It is the most revered temple in Rishikesh and is dedicated to Nilkant. The temple is not located in the city itself, but 32 km from it and is located at an altitude of 1330 meters. The temple contains many sculptures of various Virgins and Gods.
There is also a natural spring next to the temple where devotees bathe before entering the place itself. Many people visit the temple during the festival, which is held there annually. Anyone can bring tribute to the Lord in the form of coconut, milk, water, flowers and fruits. A strong place worth visiting.
Location: Kotdwar Pauri Road.
It is unacceptable to visit Rishikesh and not visit Vasishthi cave! The cave is named after one of the seven sages (rishis) and sons of King Dasaratha - Vasishtha. It was in this cave that the sage stayed for many years, meditated and learned the truth. It is located not far from the city itself, 21 km up the Ganges. It is easy to get to it by car, any taxi gets here.
This place is very popular, many tourists come here for meditation or just for contemplation. As the guide said, you can stay in it as much as you like, as long as the person is comfortable there. When a tourist feels itching or discomfort, he should go out and sit on the banks of the Ganges. After a while, a small ashram appeared here.
Why is this ashram so popular? It was visited by the legendary group "The Beatles"! On this moment this ashram is abandoned and hidden deep in the jungle, but this does not prevent a huge number of people from visiting it. but locals do not risk going there and they will not tell you the way. It is believed that this place is cursed, which is why it is now empty. It is located in the Lakshman Julia area, almost on the outskirts of the city. Easy way to the ashram - by car. Again, go to any taxi driver and forgive him to drive him to the ashram.
The ashram of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi has rooms for meditation classes and egg-shaped cells. The so-called "eggs" have two floors. On the first floor, the visitors slept, and on the second, meditation classes were held. At the moment, these buildings are in poor condition, covered with moss and are slowly falling apart. The walls of the rooms and eggs are covered with Beatles fans who still visit the place. Also here you can find various graffiti, magnificent drawings and inscriptions.
Rishikesh is divided into a central part, Svarg district and Lakshman Jula district. Svarg district is not quite a tourist attraction, but nevertheless it is wildly popular with tourists. It is truly the noisiest and merry life is in it.
In this area there are centers for yoga, and numerous ashrams, and many markets where the tourist can buy all sorts of goodies. It is here that the main part of the infrastructure of Rishikesh is concentrated. It is located next to Parmath Niketan Ashram and the famous Ram Jhula Bridge. A tourist can find here ritual scenes that are held every evening. For example, offering fire to the Ganges River as a token of gratitude. If you love noise and interesting places, then you should definitely take a walk around the area.
Another great attraction is the Kunjapuri Temple. It is located at an altitude of 1645 meters above sea level and offers simply beautiful views of nature. In addition, he is wonderful and very popular place among tourists for meditation. The only drawback is that the temple is not in the city itself, you can reach it by bike or car, the journey takes about an hour.
Location: Hindolakhal Road.
The city of Rishikesh is a city of sages who, knowing themselves, learn about the world. The yoga capital of the world lies on the path to the Himalayas. Rishikesh, surrounded on three sides by wooded hills, is divided into two parts by the great river Ganges, which is rapidly rolling down from the mountains.
The world capital of yoga is a place where you can not only purify your mind, but also your body. The city of Rishikesh is a vegetarian city where tourists will not find alcohol, meat, eggs or fish. Rishikesh offers guests all the most delicious and healthy - rice, vegetables, fruits, nuts and masala tea. The proximity of the mountains affects the climate: it is cool in the city in winter, and it is never hot in summer.
The group "Beatles" brought Rishekesh fame. In the 60s, musicians came to few people famous city to find enlightenment. Here the Beatles practiced meditation and yoga in the ashram of the great yogi Maharishi.
Spiritual life literally boils in the city. Tourists, if they wish, can live in monastic communities, visit ashrams and religious centers. The magnificent architecture and colorfulness of religious buildings will give tourists hours and even days filled with aesthetic bliss.
The Ganges, flowing from north to south, sets the rhythm for the city. Suspension bridges themselves are landmarks that have a long history. Just think, a century ago the river was connected by a rope bridge, and only in the 30s of the XX century, the British built a steel suspension bridge Lakshmanjula. On both sides of the bridge, there are markets offering souvenirs to tourists: figurines, rosary beads, ethnic clothes, aromatic oils, and more. dr.
On the west bank, tourists can buy religious literature at a bookstore and fresh rolls at a German bakery. East coast not intended for a wide expansion of tourists and is a forested foothills. The thirteen-story Trayambakeshwar tower will offer tourists observation platforms, from which opens a view of the inhabited, western part of the city and the river, decorated with images of Hindu gods. Five kilometers from the tower there is a waterfall and a cave with lacy limestone deposits.
Ramjul Bridge is located much to the south, a couple of kilometers from the first crossing. The bridge is not just a tuk-tuk parking lot, but also a center of tourist life. On the far bank, on the right hand, is the largest and most famous ashram, along which the embankment stretches.
If you go in the opposite direction from Svargashram, you can see how ascetics live, who have given up material wealth. In addition to the humble dwellings of sadhus, one can see clean beaches... It is better for women to refrain from swimming in the river and deep cleavage, so as not to offend the feelings of believers.
To get to the Triveni Ghat promenade, decorated with images of the gods, you need to hire an autorickshaw. On the embankment there are ghats, stone stepped structures for bathing in sacred waters. In the evenings, beautiful ceremonies called Ganga Aarti are held by the water. The opposite bank is occupied by trees creeping up the slope.
On the mountain rises the Nilkanth Mahadev Mandir temple, embracing a huge tree. On its roof froze: stone gods, whipping up the ocean with a large-headed snake, and the all-good god Shiva, swallowing poison to prevent the death of mankind.
The road from the temple goes through the territory of the reserve, where wild elephants are found. After going downstairs, tourists will find themselves in the Beatles Ashram, which is now desolate. However, some enthusiasts argue that the abandonment of this ashram promotes concentration, so necessary for practicing meditation. In Rishekesh, tourists will be offered leisure: trip along the river Ganges, rafting, mountaineering, as well as group and individual yoga classes. Rishikesh is also interesting in that it opens the way to the sacred city of Haridwar and the Four Shrines of the Garhwal Himalayas, to the ancient mountain settlements.
Our main goal in India is a trip to Rishikesh, and all other cities, as a pleasant or unpleasant addition. Rishikesh is located at the foot of the Himalayas and is of great cultural and spiritual importance to the Hindu world. And the sacred river Ganges and mountain landscapes bring a sense of peace and tranquility to the city. Rishikesh is not just an ordinary Indian city, it is the world center of yoga. Ashrams, retreats, detox resorts - that's why tourists from all over the world come here.
Infrastructure of Rishikesh
- Center - as for me, there is nothing remarkable here.
- The Swarg Ashram area is located just a few kilometers from the center. There are many ashrams, yoga centers and most of the infrastructure is concentrated here, but the area is quite noisy.
- The Lakshman Jula area is located a few kilometers from the Swarg Ashram, up the Ganges. Lakshman Jula is the quietest and most peaceful area in Rishikesh. It is chosen by tourists who want to get a little distance from the noise and civilization.
The sacred river Ganges flows into Rishikesh, through which two large pedestrian bridges... There are also beaches on which both locals and tourists rest in the warm season. According to Indians, the Ganges in this region is completely safe for visitors. I don’t know how true this is, because the Indians really respect the Ganges and even drink water from it. But in appearance the river really seems clean and inspires confidence, perhaps I would even risk swimming in it in the summer. Everything is completely different from in.
Accommodation in Rishikesh
In Rishikesh, you can easily find accommodation on the spot. Many hotels and guesthouses put up signs: "There are vacant rooms." In my opinion, in India this is the most The best way search for an overnight stay. On the spot, it is possible to assess the quality of housing, check the availability of water in the room, and also negotiate a good discount. Prices per night range from 200 to 700 rupees depending on the quality of the hotel and the greed of the owner.
How to look for ashrams
Tourists from all over the world come to Rishikesh to study in ascetic ashrams. Some go to a specific ashram, or to a specific guru. Others only get acquainted with Eastern philosophy and do not fully understand why an ashram is needed and how to find one. We just belong to the second group. A few months before the trip, I began to get acquainted with information about the ashrams in Rishikesh. I found dozens of ashram websites, but the more information I found, the more confusing it became. We didn't need something sophisticated, our goal of the trip is yoga and meditation. Therefore, we decided to find something on the spot and arrange a small orientation retreat.
Today, there are dozens, and maybe even hundreds, of ashrams in Rishikesh. True, most of them are commercial, where accommodation and meals are paid. Some ashrams have deep philosophy and transmit Eastern teachings, others pursue only material goals. I cannot help you choose an ashram and I will not tell you how to do it correctly, we ourselves chose "Finger to the sky". In some ashrams, you can live the period that you need. In others, you can only go to yoga and meditation, and live in a hotel. If you do not know which ashram you need, then depending on your goals, you can find a suitable option on the spot. There are more than enough of them in Rishikesh, announcements and signs at every step.
Entertainment and excursions
In addition to ashrams, there are many activities to be found in Rishikesh. Everything for the tourist, if only the money is paid.
- Rafting on the Ganges
- Cooking class
- Trekking in the Himalayas. They offer both one-day and two-three days.
There are many travel agencies in Rishikesh, you can choose a suitable route on the spot. But for such trekking, you need to have suitable clothes that will warm you in the mountains, and shoes that will firmly fix your foot.
- Ayurvedic massages
- And many others
Cooking class
We chose a culinary master class, we really liked Indian cuisine. Walking around the city, we found a signboard "Cooking Class", we decided to go. A young girl was sitting in a small room, who told us about the conditions for holding a master class and assured us that there were all the necessary conditions for cooking. That the master class takes place in a specially equipped kitchen and we have absolutely nothing to worry about. After clarifying the details and agreeing on the menu, we came to her home at the agreed time.
It turned out that Rajni lived in a tiny one-room apartment with a kitchen no more than 5m². Bonus to everything - poorly washed dishes, unsanitary conditions and cockroaches. And what, in fact, surprises me ?! It's like I hear about unsanitary conditions in India for the first time! This is true, but hearing and seeing are two different things. I'd rather not know how the dish I plan to eat was prepared. Moreover, for 2,000 rupees, which is four times more than a full meal in a cafe. But there was nowhere to go, we had already come ... There was, however, a pathetic attempt to refuse the master class and leave, but the hostess began to complain that it was impossible, that she had already bought all the food, and that she had a family to feed.
We didn't want to offend her, so we stayed until the end. The training was held according to the principle: "I cook, and you watch." In an hour and a half, Rajni cooked four dishes: dal, chana masala, samosa and rice with vegetables. We are not very enthusiastic about the master class itself, and the dishes were not very tasty, in the cafe it is still a little tastier. But we really enjoyed communicating with the hostess of the house, Rajni told in great detail the methods of cooking, told about herself, about her family, about Indian traditions and about Rishikesh. We were deeply impressed by her kindness and sincerity, so it was not a pity for money or time.
Power features
Rishikesh has all the conditions to put in order not only your soul, but also your body. In addition to northern and southern Indian cuisines, many establishments offer Ayurvedic cuisine, detox programs or organic food. Rishikesh is a completely vegetarian city; you will not find meat dishes and alcohol in cafes and restaurants. And on the streets of the city they sell fruits, nuts, cane juice and even baked goods. It was in Rishikesh that I ate the most delicious food in India. It is difficult to explain why it is not like the dishes of other regions, it is just tastier and that's it! The average bill in a cafe was Rs 500 - 600. This is for a two course lunch + chapatis + two soft drinks;
- Bananas - 20 rupees per kg.
- Pineapples - 40 rupees 1 pc.
- Papaya - 50 rupees per 1 piece
- Coconut (whitening pulp) - 20 rupees;
- Apples - 40 rupees per kg.
Shopping in Rishikesh
There are a lot of stalls and shops in Rishikesh, so you can easily buy all the necessary things here. According to my observations, prices are significantly lower than in other states and cities of India (compare with Delhi, Agra, Jaipur and Varanasi). It was in Rishikesh that we bought all necessary clothes for yoga, souvenirs and gifts for relatives. Cheaper than in Rishikesh, we have not met. Moreover, this applies not only to souvenirs and clothes, the price is also lower for hotels and food in cafes.
- Himalayan salt (100 gr.) - 50 rupees;
- Masala tea (in a wooden gift box) - 150 rupees;
- Masala tea in a regular package - 100 rupees;
- Tea set (2 teas, 50 gr. Each) - 200 rupees;
- Yoga pants (women) - 200 rupees;
- Yoga pants for men - 250 rupees;
- Henna (packaging) - 150 rupees;
- Towel - 100 rupees;
- Himalayan honey (100 gr.) - 200 rupees;
How to get to Rishikesh
Trains run 5-7 times a day, the journey takes about 4 hours. There are no direct trains to Rishikesh, you need to get to Haridwar, and then change to a bus, or take a taxi. We took a taxi, on the way 40 - 50 minutes, paid the driver 800 rupees, but in general, how do you bargain.
In addition, buses run from / to Rishikesh distant communication, in Delhi, Argu, Jaipur, Varanasi and others. There is a bus ticket sales office near the bus station in Rishikesh. From the signboard with prices, I concluded that a bus would be cheaper than a train, but for each specific direction it is necessary to clarify and compare prices.
Our impressions
Of all the Indian cities we have been to, Rishikesh was the most liked. It is not very noisy, less dirty and the people here are more friendly. Nobody grabs hands with the words: "Si may shop" or "Believe the chip, mister, believe the chip." We walked a lot around the city and its environs, and this walk was a pleasure. If we knew right away how good it is here, we would not go to other cities, but stayed in Rishikesh for the entire period. In addition, it is cheaper here than in such tourist cities like Delhi, Jaipur and Arga.
Before the trip, I recommend that you check the weather forecast for your dates. We didn’t, which we very much regretted. The fact is that Rishikesh is in mountainous terrain, therefore, there are very large differences in temperature between day and night. We only had clothes with us for sunny weather, so I had to warm myself on the spot.
To the bridges of Rishikesh, a kind of centers of spiritual and cultural life city, can be reached by auto rickshaw (for 10 INR), other trips around the city will cost about 40 INR. In principle, the city is located quite compactly and you can get around it on foot.
Weather in Rishikesh
Rishikesh cuisine and restaurants
For tourists who come to improve their health or do yoga, light Ayurvedic cuisine is an ideal option. Many fruits, nuts and pastries are sold in the streets. The local papaya is especially good. And of course, the cafe offers a variety of delicious dishes from both northern and southern Indian cuisines.
Rishikesh is a vegetarian city.
Although of course for tourists, especially in Lakshman Jula, there are many restaurants serving traditional cuisine. Gatherings in a cafe - local tradition... Masala and Ayurvedic teas are drunk here. Alcohol in holy city also prohibited!
Popular Mukti's Health Food (near Jhula Shivanand Bridge) offers famous green pasta, frozen yogurt, apple pie and chocolate cake for dessert.
Authentic organic food is available at the tranquil and spacious Shiva-resort. Chotiwala at Swarg Ashram specializes in authentic Indian cuisine, with five thalis on the menu, and lunch will cost you INR 120. Ganga Ayurvedic Food Place always has delicious breakfasts and a large selection of good salads.
If you are bored with European cuisine, you can visit Little Italy at Swarg Ashram, where they prepare pasta and pizza, or Moon Dance Café, which, in addition to local culinary delights, offers Italian, Mexican and European dishes.
Shopping
Like any other tourist town associated with religious shrines, Rishikesh offers bronze statues of Indian deities, aromatic oils, religious items and ethnic clothing. Prices compared to others tourist sites India are not high. You can also buy Ayurvedic and natural products here.
Types of Rishikesh
Guides in Rishikesh
Popular hotels in Rishikesh
Entertainment and attractions of Rishikesh
Triveni Ghat - the promenade of the Ganges, richly decorated with statues of Indian deities. Indian adepts conduct ceremonial mass baths here (morning and evening), in which thousands of people participate. It is good to meditate and indulge in relaxation here - the opposite side of the Ganges is not built up, and you can admire the mountain scenery.
Geeta Bhavan is the place where the guru Sri Ram Sukh Daashi practiced and is extremely popular with the Indians. Twice a year, followers gather in the ashram to read the Ramayana together.
Swarg Ashram is located at the foot of the Himalayas on the left bank of the Ganges between Rishikesh and Lakshman Jula. This picturesque area has the largest concentration of ashrams. A well-known place, mentioned in historical and religious sources, is famous for the fact that great yogis and sidhus have come here for a long time. The Shri Raghunatji Temple at Lakshman Jula is a grandiose 13-story structure dedicated to numerous gods.
In search of enlightenment, adherents immerse themselves in the Ganges, however, they say that the waters of this river have healing properties that apply to unbelievers as well.
People come to the ashrams of Rishikesh to study yoga and Hindu philosophy. The resort destination in the city is represented by numerous Ayurvedic centers, where they will rejuvenate your body with the help of healthy food, meditation and massage.
Rafting on the Ganges is popular with lovers of more mundane entertainment. The best time for rafting September-November and March-May. The rafting continues for several kilometers, along the way there are rapids from the first to the fifth level of difficulty. You can also raft along the Ganges. Particularly exciting is the trip, which includes an overnight stay on the banks of the river.
In the vicinity of Rishikesh there are opportunities for rock climbing and diving, both in classical form and with an elastic band (however, in this case, you will not get into the water). Tracking of varying complexity also constitutes one of the main entertainment of Rishikesh.
You can get to one of the places in the neighborhood: Shivpuri, located 10 kilometers from Rishikesh - a famous rafting and trekking center, or in national park Rajaji, which is 20 minutes away by car
