Sitting 238km north of Delhi and 24km north of Haridwar in the state of Uttarakhand, Rishikesh draws in all manner of devotes, followers, spiritual seekers and adventure enthusiasts.  It was made world famous in in the late 60’s when the Beatles visited the ashram of the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi.  Today it’s well known as the ‘Yoga Capital of the World’ and its setting couldn’t be more perfect with the gushing Ganges river and verdant forested hills providing the backdrop to many ashrams and yoga centres.  The area has also become well known for white-water rafting along with its evening Aarti ceremony; an exuberant holy fire ceremony where priests chant and small lamps are lit to thank the river.

Haridwar sits approximately 1 hour from Rishikesh, and depending on your accommodation you may stay here instead of Rishikesh. Haridwar is propitiously located where the Ganges emerges from the Himalayas and as a result it’s actually more revered than Rishikesh within the Hindu community.