Rishikesh · Set against the backdrop of the Himalayas and with the pristine Ganga flowing through it, the ancient town of Rishikesh is one of the major tourist and ...WhyvisitAttractionsWhattodoWeatherHowtoreachWheretostayBreadcrumbHomeDestinationRishikeshRishikeshKnownasworldcapitalofyogaandmeditationHolytownwithpleasantweatherthroughouttheyearMostlovedplaceforallBeatles'fanacrosstheworldUnmatchedwhitewaterraftingandotheradventuresportsGatewaytotheGarhwalHimalayasWhattoknowSetagainstthebackdropoftheHimalayasandwiththepristineGangaflowingthroughit,theancienttownofRishikeshisoneofthemajortouristandpilgrimagehubsinnorthernIndia,wherepeoplefromacrosstheworldarriveinsearchofpeace.Rishikeshiscommonlyreferredtoasthe‘yogacapitaloftheworld’andrightlyso.Thedestinationisabuzzwithvisitors,whocomeheretolearnyogaandmeditation.Rishikeshhasnumerousashrams,someofwhichareinternationallyrecognisedascentresofphilosophicalstudies,yogaandotherancientIndiantraditionsofwellness.TheUttarakhandTourismDevelopmentBoardorganisestheannualInternationalYogFestival(IYF)here,whichattractsthousandsofyogaenthusiasts.ThereareseverallegendsassociatedwithRishikesh.ItissaidRishikeshfindsamentionintheancienttextSkandaPurana,andintheepicRamayana.ItissaidLordRama,alongwithhisbrothers,cametoRishikeshtodopenanceafterkillingRavana.RishikeshisalsoknownforitsconnectionwithTheBeatles.InFebruary1968,membersofthelegendaryEnglishrockbandvisitedMaharishiMaheshYogi'sashram(nowpopularlyknownastheBeatlesAshram)tolearntranscendentalmeditation.Thebandcomposednearly48songsduringtheirtimeattheMaharishi'sashram,manyofwhichappearontheWhiteAlbum(andafewfromAbbeyRoad).JohnLennonrecordedasongtitled,'TheHappyRishikeshSong'afterhisvisit.Severalotherinternationalartists,includingMikeLoveoftheBeachBoys,PaulHorn,DonovanandGypMills,visitedthesitetocontemplateandmeditate.Rishikeshisalsoatownofquaintcafes,whichofferlocalandinternationalcuisinesandaremostlypackedwithtourists.Interestingly,inthelastcoupleofyears,Rishikeshhasbecomeverypopu