Rishikesh is a city in Dehradun district in the state of Uttarakhand. It is a holy city for Hindus and a renowned centre of pilgrimage. It is also known as the gateway to the Himalayas and is located around 25 kms away from another holy city, Haridwar. The place got its name after Lord Vishnu who appeared to `Rishi Raibhya', as a result of his austerities, as Lord Hrishikesh. Legends state that Lord Rama did penance here for killing Ravana, the demon king of Lanka; and Lakshmana, his younger brother, crossed the River Ganga, at a point where the present 'Lakshmana Jhula' bridge stands today.

One of the holiest cities, Rishikesh is not just known for its religious spirit but also for its serene & picturesque beauty. Rishikesh is considered as the gateway to the famous Chardham (four shrines sacred journey) which are Kedarnath, Badrinath, Gangotri and Yamunotri. Rishikesh is the most famous among these & is the most favored to meditate & seek salvation. It is one of the most tranquil places, surrounded by hills and bisected by the wide & sluggish Ganges. The sacred river Ganga flows through the city Rishikesh. It is often claimed as the Yoga Capital of the world since there are many ashrams on the banks of Ganga where yoga is practiced & taught regularly. Many people come here in the ashrams to meditate & gain peace of mind. This place is very famous among the foreigners who visit India every year in search of 'moksha' (spiritual quest). It is believed that by meditating in Rishikesh one attains moksha, as does a dip in the holy river that flows through the city. Such is the popularity of this place that even Beatles could not resist them selves from coming here. They came to India to visit their Guru- Maharishi Mahesh Yogi's ashram in Rishikesh and even recorded a song here & composed few songs during their stay at the ashram.

Its ashrams are famous for their calm and conducive environment for yoga, the sanctity of the place evokes it further. Though the basics of yoga remain the same but the difference lies with the teachers here, their teaching styles and the facilities in the ashrams such as accommodation, library etc. The 'Yoga Study Centre' on the Haridwar road is one of the popular centers. It has a senior Iyengar teacher as its coach. Brahmcharya Rudradev conducts yoga classes here and the students have to follow a strict routine. Every year an International Yoga festival is organized in the first week of February in Rishikesh. Another factor which favors Rishikesh is its altitude which is about 1360 meters. It is at a higher altitude than other holy cities of Haridwar and Varanasi. River Ganga is cooler & cleaner here and the flow of the river is stronger here. Here the river leaves the Shiwalik Mountains in the Himalayas and flows out into the plains of northern India. Since the city is less populated than others, it is calmer and peaceful here. It is also becoming a popular spot for camping and water rafting enthusiasts, both from India and abroad, as it offers medium to rough rapids in the course of river Ganges.

The name Rishikesh is loosely applied to an association of five distinct sections encompassing not only the town but also hamlets and settlements on both sides of the river Ganga. These include Rishikesh itself, the sprawling suburb Muni-ki-reti or the sands of the sages, Shivananda Nagar the home of Sivananda Ashram and the Divine Life Society founded by Swami Sivananda, north of Rishikesh; the temple section of Lakshman Jhula, a little further north; and the assorted ashrams around Swarg Ashram on the east bank