Known as the birthplace of yoga, Rishikesh is a serene and spiritual town situated in the foothills of the Himalayas in northern India. In addition to its rich history, it’s known for the many yoga schools, ashrams, sadhus (holy men), and nightly Ganga Aarti ceremonies that take place on the banks of the Ganga. For some time, I’ve longed to visit to practice yoga and take a dip in the holy Ganges river. In February 2025, I was able to make the trip to Rishikesh and the experience here will not be forgotten any time soon. From the stumbles and chaos, to the colorful kirtan and meditation ceremonies, it’s easy to see why this northern Indian town attracts spiritual folks from around the world.

If you’re thinking of visiting Rishikesh, either for a teacher training at one of the town’s many renowned yoga schools or ashrams or just for the experience, there are a few things to know before you go.

My arrival into Rishikesh was not smooth, but at least it led me to some interesting experiences and nice people. I was only visiting for a short time, but felt a special, strong energy here. It’s an energy that seems to make things happen, bringing what you might want or need more quickly and mysteriously than elsewhere. For me, the challenge was to stay open and say yes to the opportunities that presented themselves, without seeing events as necessarily positive or negative. They just were, and they just led to another opportunity, another open or shut door, as is life.

With that said, here is a bit of history about this spiritual place, along with my experience and travel tips to help you plan your own visit.

Some History of Rishikesh

Also referred to as the “place of sages” Rishikesh is a spiritual center for yoga, meditation, and healing. It’s a pilgrimage town for Hindus and countless temples and ashrams dot the banks of the river. It first came to worldwide fame in the 1960s when The Beatles visited the ashram of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi seeking spiritual wisdom and guidance in Transcendental Meditation. (Much of the White Album was inspired by the band’s time in Rishikesh, namely the great song “Dear Prudence” – starts humming).

The history of Rishikesh is linked to Hindu mythology. In myths, Lord Vishnu appeared in the form of “Hrishikesha” to a sage named Raibhya Rishi after his tapasya (meditation). The name Rishikesh is given by the divine to the place where he appeared in this form. Rishikesh is also linked to Lord Rama. After defeating Ravana, it’s believed he performed penance in Rishikesh with his brother Lakshmana.

In ancient times, the Rishis, the highly accomplished and enlightened sages of the Vedic people, came to Rishikesh as a base to gather and further their spiritual practices before heading up into the mountains to meditate away from civilization. Even today, rishis are said to meditate in solitude around this area.

My Experience in Rishikesh

I arrived to Rishikesh at the end of a month spent traveling around India. For much of the time, I was in southern India, which, if you’re from or traveled to India before, you probably know that there is some difference between the northern and southern parts of the country. The south felt softer to me and a little friendlier and easier to navigate, although of course it all comes down to personal experience.

When I landed in the Dehradun airport, the closest to Rishikesh, a taxi driver kind of ripped me off and I ended up walking an hour to my hostel in the dark. (Yay!) On the walk, there was the striking sight of sadhus, or holy men, dressed in their orange robes walking along the banks of the river. Curious cows walked up to me, looking for food, maybe sensing the apple in my open backpack. I walked along to Laxman Jula, where my hostel was located, and checked in tired and disoriented. Before some much-needed sleep, I climbed to the rooftop and took in the sights of Rishikesh, awed by the lights and music coming from all corners of the city.

In the morning, I moved up the hill a little to the Tapovan neighborhood, seeking a change of scenery and calmer surroundings. While still feeling out of place, I met a nice person waiting for the boat to cross the river (the bridge was under construction during my visit). He was from Mumbai and also traveling around India, and reminded me how while travel, especially traveling alone, can take us out of the comfort zone, this is often rewarding and gives us the opportunity to meet good people, in addition to so many other benefits. Our conversation brightened my morning, and I felt lighter, especially after dropping my bags at the homestay in Tapovan.

However, the day took a turn from there. On the way to my first yoga class in Rishikesh at the Iyengar Yoga Centre, I hopped into a rickshaw shuttle bus. Unfortunately, these buses don’t leave until they’re full of passengers, and by the time this happened, I was late for the yoga class. Fortunately, a friendly guy from Finland got on the rickshaw and started a conversation. He had also stayed in Tapovan but found it a bit too noisy for his liking, and had since found a nice place to stay higher up the mountain by waterfalls in the nature. We were able to exchange numbers and stay in touch.

After getting off the rickshaw, the yoga school refused to let me enter late. (Fine!) I dejectedly began to walk towards the river and cross the Ram Jhula bridge, feeling stressed and overwhelmed by everyone wanting to sell me something or take a picture of me. I know this is part of the experience, but in the moment, I just felt exhausted. Finally, I stumbled to the banks of the river, trying to soak in its calm energy. Here, I did meet a girl from Germany doing her yoga teacher training at a nearby school. She was nice to talk to, and recommended different yoga places and cafes around Tapovan. Even in the midst of having a hard day, I met nice and helpful people who helped turn it around and I felt less alone. The day ended at Parmarth Niketan ashram for their nightly Ganga Aarti ceremony.

In the days that followed, I became more settled in Rishikesh. I took a yoga class in the grassy lawn at Aarcana Cafe, which is a peaceful place for yoga, events, and chill coffee or smoothie breaks. Walking through the narrow alleys of Tapovan, there are countless signs for yoga classes, training, meditation, energy healing, you name it. It was fun to browse through bookshops and check out cute cafes. Secret Garden Café, Heavenly Cakes & Pies, and Open Field Cafe are all great places to chill. (Just watch out for the monkeys at Secret Garden, they might try to steal your food). Among the eclectic characters I was lucky to meet, there was one guy who told me he was ready to give up society and retreat into the mountains to meditate, just like the ancient Rishis. He wasn’t sure where he would sleep, but he was committed to going.

Another nice yogi brought me to their teacher’s class and I tried some different yoga styles in Tapovan. In the evenings I went to the kirtan festival held at Anand Dham Ashram. There’s no shortage of events and festivals to check out and enjoy in Rishikesh.

However, I was still seeking some more peace for my last days in India. I wanted to be in the nature, meditate, and just be. The Finnish guy had recommended the place he was staying at, called Shiv Shakti Yogpeeth, and I decided to head there. A friendly motorcycle scooter man drove me and my many bags up the hill, which was pretty thrilling and my yoga mat even flew off the scooter and into some cow poop at one point. (Hey, it’s said to have cleaning properties!)

Shiv Shakti is a really beautiful place to stay in Rishikesh, and I wholeheartedly suggest going here if you need somewhere to rest your head. They have different accommodation types, depending on your budget, and each morning starts with yoga. In addition, the kitchen serves some seriously delicious food, chai, smoothies, and more. What really made a difference were the kind people here, and I felt able to settle in and relax.

Yet, the restful last days I had imagined went out the window the next morning when the owner asked if we would like to take a trip to his organic farm. The plan would be to stay for the night and then raft down the Ganga back to Rishikesh the following day. It felt like something you don’t say no to, and a small group of us said yes and started gathering our belongings for the adventure.

To get the farm, we drove for about an hour and then hiked down a small trail to the river. It was pristine nature, no one in sight, and felt so incredibly peaceful. After arriving at the farm, we decided to stay an extra night, just to have more time at the special place. During our stay here, we enjoyed delicious homecooked meals, many dips in the waters of the Ganga, and lovely conversations. It was hard to leave this place when the time came.

But leave we did, and to get back we rafted down the Ganga on the day of the Shivaratri festival, which commemorates the marriage of Shiva and Parvati and Shiva doing his ritual dance. It is about remembering overcoming darkness and ignorance in life and the world as a whole. The banks of the river were a festive place on this day, and the people we passed were all smiling and waving at us as we floated along.

After getting back to Shiv Shakti and taking a quick rest, we headed back down into town, and ended up at a Shivaratri celebration where we meditated and danced into the night. One memory I still carry with me from this special night is from a card reading that took place at Shiv Shakti once our group got back. One guest brought out his Tarot and oracle cards, and did an in-depth reading for each of us. My reading involved finding my path for the next year, embracing the feminine and the masculine side, and being more assertive. All good things — now, let’s see how the rest of the year progresses!

The time in Rishikesh inevitably came to a close, but I left with more trust in the universe. (Maybe it’s cringe, but sometimes the best things are). It’s beautiful how one experience leads to another in ways we can’t often predict, and how all we need to do is to keep saying yes and stay open to what comes our way. When one door closes, another door opens.

Yoga Classes & Trainings in Rishikesh

Most people who travel to Rishikesh come for the yoga. And with countless renowned yoga schools and ashrams around town, they’re in good company. However, it can be overwhelming to narrow down your options if you’re looking for a good place to deepen your practice or take classes.

Here are some of the yoga schools and places I recommend (many of which were recommended to me in the first place):

• Iyengar Yoga Centre: This centre is well-known, and offers classes for beginners and advanced practitioners under the watchful eye of Usha Devi, one of the senior students of BKS Iyengar. She’s known for being quite fiery in class, and one person I met was scared to take her classes. With that said, this is a beautiful studio with a great reputation.
• SRSG Ashram: If you’re looking for a more meditative, immersive experience you may want to consider staying at an ashram in Rishikesh. The SRSG Ashram is a nice choice that I’ve heard good things about. They have a daily schedule that involves early morning meditation, yoga classes, and an evening program. Note that you’ll have to follow ashram guidelines during your stay.
• Aarcana Cafe: As mentioned, this place in upper Tapovan is so nice for yoga in the morning. Afterwards, you can chill on the grassy lawn or enjoy a refreshing smoothie. It’s also worth checking out one of the events and a great place to meet friendly, open-minded people.
• Parveen Nair: Parveen is a yoga teacher and practitioner known for his unique style that weaves together yoga and dance. His creative embodiment flow classes felt so different from the ashtanga world of Mysore, and he regularly encourages students to rest and not burn out in class. It’s really about getting into your body and feeling safe and inspired through movement. You can check out one of his drop-in classes or the yoga teacher training.
• Yog Upasana: Recommended by the yoga teacher at Aarcana who was doing his training here, Yog Upasana is a school in Tapovan that focuses on traditional hatha Iyengar Yoga. The teacher is quite well-known and the school has excellent reviews.
• Shiv Shakti Yogpeeth: As mentioned, this is a magical place to stay in Rishikesh. They have yoga in the morning with Deepak Rangar and also offer regular retreats and trainings.

Rishikesh Travel Tips

If it’s your first time visiting Rishikesh, you might be a bit unsure what all to expect. Don’t worry, you’re sure to have an unforgettable experience and enjoy the best time in this special place. Here are a few tips to help you make the most of your time here:

• Carry water with you: If you’re going to be doing some walking or spending time at one of the beaches, it’s a good idea to stay hydrated and bring your water bottle along.
• Be open-minded: Just like when you travel to any new place or culture, try to keep an open mind and be open to the experience as much as possible. Expect the unexpected! Things might be different than your home, (I missed the German bread!), but there are new things to discover and appreciate during your time away (Chapati bread, I’m looking at you!).
• Walking sandals or sneakers: I did a lot of walking during my days in Rishikesh. It was practical to wear sandals that were easy to slip on and off.
• Get the number of a trustworthy scooter guy: The best way to get around in Rishikesh? Definitely by scooty! It was convenient to be able to text the scooter driver when I needed to go somewhere around town. If you’re feeling up for it, you could also rent your own scooter.
• Do your research before committing to a yoga training: There are literally yoga teacher training schools on every corner in Rishikesh. It was overwhelming just walking around and reading all of the signs for trainings. Since each school has its own unique offerings, I would really recommend doing your research before committing to a month (or more) and spending lots of money at one of these schools. It’s a good idea to figure out what’s important to you in a training. Some schools are in beautiful locations, while others are on crowded main streets and don’t look so inviting. Ideally, you can come to Rishikesh first and then commit to the training that’s right for you.
• Stay calm: You might experience some stressful moments in Rishikesh, perhaps when you first arrive. The best advice I can give (to you and myself) is to stay calm and take things as they come.
• Have fun: There’s so much to enjoy in beautiful Rishikesh! Check out the beaches on the Ganga, explore the waterfalls, get into the nature, go rafting, try some (or a lot of) yoga, check out some of the mind-expanding events. and be open to connecting with any interesting people that cross your path.