10 Things to Do in Rishikesh Beyond Rafting

White-water rafting understandably dominates Rishikesh's reputation, but the town rewards a slower pace too. The evening Ganga Aarti at Triveni Ghat draws locals and travellers alike into a shared ritual of lamps and chanting. The Beatles Ashram, now open as an art-covered ruin, offers a quiet walk through 1960s counterculture history. Early risers can join a riverside yoga session — many homestays, including our partner properties, run informal sunrise sessions on the ghats. For a longer outing, Neelkanth Mahadev Temple sits 32 km into forested hills, a scenic half-day round trip. And simply walking Laxman Jhula and Ram Jhula at golden hour, as the light hits the river, remains one of the most photographed — and most worthwhile — moments in town.