Top 5 Best Day Trips from Rishikesh for Adventure and Spirituality

If we talk about adventure-filled places near Delhi, then Rishikesh tops the list. Here, one can enjoy various activities like bungee jumping and river rafting. Rishikesh is just a few hours away from Delhi.

That’s why, whether it’s a two-day holiday or a long weekend, crowds from Delhi, Haryana, and Chandigarh flock here. Due to this, it gets overcrowded and the fun of traveling is lost.

If you want to spend your two-day holiday peacefully and don’t want to spend too much money, then you can also consider these places located around Rishikesh

1, Devprayag: Best Among Panch Prayags

Located 70 km from Rishikesh, the town of Devprayag has not lost its ancient glory even in the modern age. The ancient Raghunath Temple is situated in this town. The temple, built 1700 to 2000 years ago, stands 80 feet tall on a platform made of large stones without cement at the upper part of the city.

It is said that Shankar, the guru of King Shyampal (722-782 AD) of the Panwar dynasty of Dharanagari, made the temple spire from wood.

The time of Guru Shankar and Adi Shankaracharya is the 8th century. Due to changes in the temple spire at that time, there is folklore that the temple was built by Shankaracharya.

The Skanda Purana mentions that in the Treta Yuga, to free himself of the sin of Brahmahatya, Lord Shri Ram did penance at Devprayag and established the Vishweshwar Shivling.

Hence, the Raghunath Temple was established here. Here, Lord Vishnu is worshipped in the form of Shri Ram.

2, Chandrabadni Temple

On Tehri road, on Chandrakoot mountain, situated at about eight thousand feet height, is located the Siddhapeeth Maa Chandrabadni temple. At a distance of 33 km from Devprayag, this Siddhapeeth is located.

In religious, historical and cultural view, Chandrabadni is important among the Shaktipeeths of Uttarakhand.

In Skanda Purana, Devi Bhagwat and Mahabharata, the detailed description of this Siddhapeeth has happened. In ancient texts, by the name Bhuvaneshwari Siddhapeeth its mention is there.

According to mythological legend, to end the attachment of Lord Shankar towards the dead body of Sati, Lord Vishnu cut the mortal body of Sati into many parts with Sudarshan Chakra.

Chandrakoot mountain

The waist part of Sati fell on Chandrakoot mountain, from which here the Bhuvaneshwari Siddhapeeth was established. Later in time, Lord Shankar came to this place. Distressed from separation of Sati, Lord Shiva here remembering Sati became unconscious of mind.

On this, Maha Maya Sati here with her moon-like cool face manifested. Seeing this, the sorrow and attachment of Lord Shankar got removed and he became pleased in heart. The devas and gandharvas, seeing the form of Mahashakti, praised. From then this pilgrimage became famous by name of Chandrabadni.

According to one story of Mahabharata, on Chandrakoot mountain, Ashwatthama was thrown. Chiranjeevi Ashwatthama still wandering in Himalaya.

In the sanctum sanctorum, on the ground, Bhuvaneshwari Yantra is established. Whereas the Yantra situated upward remains always covered. Only Brahmins of Pujari village have been doing worship and ritual in the temple.

3, Mussoorie: Queens of Hills

In India there is no shortage of places to roam. In summers the number of people roaming in mountains increases. Whenever there is talk of hill stations then first either Shimla’s name is taken or then Mussoorie’s.

If only Mussoorie is spoken of then hills surrounded by clouds, cold air, beautiful valleys and peaceful atmosphere make this place special.

Maybe because of this it is lovingly called ‘Queen of Hills’ i.e. queen of mountains. In Garhwal region of Uttarakhand, settled Mussoorie remains center of attraction for tourists. This is one such place which gives peace to heart, where everyone wants to go again and again.

Since the time of British Raj, Mussoorie has been people’s favorite place. The greenery here, high mountains, old markets and lots of places to roam make it even more special.

Here where people like to come in groups, there the number of solo travelers also is not less. What is the reason of calling Queen of Hills?

For honeymoon and weekend gateway also this is a perfect destination. But have you ever thought why it is called Queen of Hills? If not then you must read our this article. We are going to tell you the reason behind its being called Queen of Hills. Come let us know in detail –

The distance from Dehradun is 38 kilometers

About 38 kilometers away from Dehradun, settled Mussoorie is a very beautiful hill station. The green mountains here, the different kinds of trees-plants and the peaceful environment make it special. From here on one side the scenery of snowy peaks of Himalaya is seen and on the other side far away spread Doon valley, Saharanpur, Haridwar and Roorkee also are seen.

Who did the discovery of Mussoorie?

Let us tell you that the discovery of Mussoorie in year 1827 was done by a British officer Captain Young. He liked the beauty of here so much that he decided to settle here. Today Mussoorie is not only a tourist spot, but this is also the path of the holy pilgrimage places Gangotri and Yamunotri.

Why it is called Queen of Hills?

It is called Queen of Hills because the weather here year after year is very pleasant. Here you will see only and only greenery all around. In this hill station situated in the mountains of Himalayas there is captivating beauty everywhere.

Seeing the scenery here only the English (Britishers) gave it the name Queen of Hills. Here in every season beauty is spread and at every turn a new freshness is found.

The liveliness is worth seeing

At the time of holidays this place becomes full of tourists. The liveliness here is worth seeing. People come here in search of fun and peace.

In Mussoorie the up-down climbing is not much, that’s why roaming here becomes easy. To roam here there are many beautiful places like Kempty Falls (about 11 km away), Bhatta Falls and Lal Tibba.

The highest point is Lal Tibba

Lal Tibba is Mussoorie’s highest point. From here the peaks of Badrinath, Kedarnath, Nanda Devi and Bandarpoonch are seen clearly. Camel’s Back Hill, which looks like the back of a camel, is very special.

From here the wonderful scenery of valley and mountains is seen. And when the weather here is completely clear then from here the Ganga and Yamuna are also seen.

How to reach Mussoorie?

By Airway – Here the nearest airport is Jollygrant Airport, which is situated in Dehradun. From here by taking a private vehicle you can reach Mussoorie.
By Train – 36 kilometers from Mussoorie, Dehradun’s railway station is the nearest railway station. For those traveling to Mussoorie this will be the best option.
By Roadway – By many private and government buses also you can reach Mussoorie.

4, Haridwar

On the holy bank of the Ganga river is situated a religious city, Haridwar. This is one of the 7 main religious places of Hindus. On going to Haridwar, to Har Ki Pauri, Mansa Devi, Maya Devi, Bharat Mata Temple, Triveni Ghat, Sapta Sarovar, Shanti Kunj – such recognized places – one must definitely go.

n the country India having holy religious places, whenever devotees in search of salvation wander here and there, then to them the city of religion Haridwar comes to mind.

The literal meaning of ‘Haridwar’ is, ‘the gateway to reach Hari (God)’. Situated on the bank of holy Ganga river in Uttarakhand, Haridwar is one among the seven most holy pilgrimage places of India.

Apart from Haridwar this includes Ayodhya, Mathura, Varanasi, Kanchipuram, Ujjain, Dwarka. This place since centuries has been attracting tourists and devotees.

Mythological History

Haridwar, settled in the lap of the Shivalik hills, is a famous ancient pilgrimage place of followers of Hindu religion. Here, coming out from the hills, Bhagirathi Ganga for the first time comes into the plain region. In Hindu scriptures Haridwar has been called by different names like Kapilsthan, Mayapuri, Gangadwar.

The ancient mythological name of Haridwar is ‘Maya’ or ‘Mayapuri’, which was counted among the seven cities giving salvation.

It is said that Chinese traveler Yuan Chwang during his India journey described this very word with the name ‘Mayur’. In Mahabharata this place is called ‘Gangadwar’. In this scripture this place has been mentioned along with famous pilgrimage places.

This holy place is also the gateway of Char Dham. To the northern part of Ganga situated ‘Badrinarayan’, ‘Kedarnath’ – the famous pilgrimages of Lord Vishnu and Shiva – for them the path goes from this very place. Therefore it is called by both names ‘Haridwar’ as well as ‘Hardwar’.

In Indian Puranas there is such a belief that in Haridwar, the nectar obtained from churning of the ocean had fallen. Since then here every twelve years is organized the fair of Kumbh.

During Kumbh fair here a large crowd of devotees gathers. In various religious rituals also, in this city in the holy river Ganga, for taking dip and destroying one’s sins, throughout the year the coming and going of devotees remains here.

Important places to see – Har Ki Pauri

Among the most holy ghats of India, Har Ki Pauri is also known by the name Brahmakund. It is said that this ghat was built by Vikramaditya in the memory of his brother Bhartrihari.

Every day in the evening here Maha Aarti is organized, on seeing which a different kind of experience happens.

Behind Har Ki Pauri, on the top of Bilwa mountain, the temple of Mansa Devi is built. Devotees going to Haridwar do not forget to see this temple. For reaching the temple there is a walking path.

Chandi Devi Temple

On the other side of the Ganga river, on the Neel mountain, Chandi Devi temple is built. It is said that Adi Shankaracharya in the 8th century had established the original idol of Chandi Devi here. Later this temple was built by the king of Kashmir, Suchat Singh, in 1929 A.D. From Chandighat after 3 kilometers of trekking one can reach here.

Maya Devi Temple

Maya Devi temple is considered among the main Shaktipeeths of India. It is said that the heart and navel of Shiv’s wife Sati had fallen here. This temple is situated at only some distance from Haridwar.

Saptrishi Ashram

The beauty of Saptrishi Ashram you can guess only from this fact that in front of it the Ganga river flows in seven streams, therefore this place is also called Sapta Sagar.

The belief behind this is that when Ganga river was flowing and coming here, at this place seven rishis were absorbed in deep meditation. Ganga did not interrupt their meditation and herself divided into seven parts changing her path.

Bharat Mata Temple

Bharat Mata temple, in Sapta Sarovar Haridwar, near the Ashram, is a holy place of its own kind. This temple is dedicated to Bharat Mata. In the year 1983, then Prime Minister Mrs. Indira Gandhi inaugurated this temple. This temple has eight floors and it is situated at a height of 180 feet.

Other places – Daksha Mahadev temple, Gurukul Kangri University, Chilla Wildlife Sanctuary etc. After roaming the temples of Haridwar, if you want to do some shopping then Bara Bazaar and Moti Bazaar are main.

From here you can take things related to many religious rituals. From here utensils for worship, utensils of brass and bronze, glass bangles, artificial jewelry etc. can be bought.

How to reach Haridwar

By Air: To reach here the Jolly Grant airport situated in Dehradun is the nearest airport. The distance from airport to Haridwar is about 45 km. To reach there buses or taxi service can be taken.

Haridwar Railway Station is connected with most parts of India. From Delhi to Dehradun going Shatabdi Express is a suitable train for Haridwar.