Situated 220km from Delhi, and 24km upstream from Haridwar at the confluence of the Chandrabhaga and Ganga lies Rishikesh, one of the best located pilgrimage center along the right bank of the Ganges, surrounded by Shivalik hills of the Himalayas on three sides, is the place of Sages is the spiritual town. According to legend, Saga Raibhya Rishi, undertook staunch penance at Rishikesh to please God. In answer to his meditation, God appeared here, manifested as "Rishikesh" and place thus came to be called after him.

The holy river emerging from the high mountains not far from here, runs deep and silent through the thickly wooded hills of the Terai that straddle this region. A breathtaking experience of natural beauty and undiscovered wildlife await here. Not to mention the peace and tranquility of a landscape associated with munis and meditation. Rishikesh has become a center for learning and research in Yoga and Meditation - the renowned Indian method for mental and physical health. For the adventurous, there are opportunities for white water rafting on Ganga, rock climbing, trekking on Himalayas, and boating down the Ganga etc.

Rishikesh is the base and starting point for Char Dham Yatra (Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri and Yamunotri), gateway to Garhwal Himalayas, Sikh Shrine of Hemkund Sahib and Valley of Flowers. Rishikesh has numerous Ashrams, some of which are internationally recognized as centres of philosophical studies, yoga and meditation. The spiritual institutions, like Sivananda Ashram (head quarter of Divine Life Society), Swarg Ashram, Gita Bhawan, Parmarth Niketan, Bhagwan Ashram, Kailash Ashram, Mahesh Yogi Ashram are located here. The International Yoga Week held here every year on the bank of river Ganga attracts participation from all across the globe.