Rishikesh Through My Eyes: Peace, Cafes, Ghats and Shiv Ji

Shivani Singh
Apr 16
3 min read

Updated: May 4

Some trips are planned for months, and some just happen. This trip to Rishikesh was one of those sudden plans that somehow turn into the most beautiful memories.

I went to Rishikesh with my husband, my little one, and two close friends. We thought it would just be a short getaway, but this trip felt very different from all my other vacations. There was something magical about this place — something that pulls you in quietly and stays with you even after you leave.

First Glimpse of Magic

The moment we entered Rishikesh, I felt drawn towards it. The mountains, the beautiful Ganga, the peaceful breeze — everything felt so calming.

We stayed at Full Stop Hostel near Laxman Jhula, and I must say, the terrace view was absolutely stunning. Looking at the mountains and the flowing river from there felt unreal.

One of my favorite moments was sitting at Sai Ghat around 2:30 in the morning. It was so quiet, peaceful, and surprisingly safe. The sound of the river, the cold breeze, and the stillness of the night made it feel like time had paused for a while.

The Spiritual Side of Rishikesh

Rishikesh is not just beautiful — it touches something deeper inside you.

We attended the Parmarth Ganga Aarti, and it was one of the most beautiful experiences of the trip. The chants, the diyas, the sound of the bells, and the river flowing quietly in front of us created a feeling that is hard to describe in words.

We also visited Kunjapuri Mata Mandir and Neelkanth Mandir. Both places had their own energy and beauty. The roads, the mountain views, the temples — everything made the journey special.

Devprayag — Where Rivers Meet

One of the most memorable places we visited was Devprayag.

Seeing the calmness of Alaknanda and the mischievous, stronger flow of Bhagirathi was beautiful. Watching two rivers meet and become the Ganga felt magical.

Of course, we could not stop ourselves from putting our feet into the water. And trust me — it was ice cold. So cold that my sinus got triggered immediately! But thankfully, the sun came out just at the right time, and I started feeling better soon.

Hidden Beaches, Cafes, and Slow Moments

We also explored one of the hidden beaches of Rishikesh. Sitting there quietly, surrounded by mountains and the sound of the river, felt like therapy.

We hopped around a few cafés too, and Buddha Café was definitely one of the highlights. Good food, a peaceful vibe, and beautiful views — exactly what you want in a place like Rishikesh.

Another thing I loved about Rishikesh was the art everywhere. The paintings on the Jhulas, the colorful walls, the little details in the streets — every corner had something beautiful to notice.

Travel Tip: Avoid Weekends

One thing I would definitely suggest is to visit Rishikesh on weekdays if possible.

Weekends get extremely crowded, especially around the popular spots and parking areas. We went from Gurugram in our Curvv EV, parked the car, and used a scooty to explore the city. Honestly, that was the best decision because parking can be quite difficult in Rishikesh.

Ending the Journey with Haridwar

While coming back, we suddenly thought of stopping at Haridwar to witness the Ganga Aarti there as well.

We visited Kaali Mata Mandir and then headed to the ghat for the aarti. Haridwar had a very different energy from Rishikesh — more crowded, more lively, but equally beautiful in its own way.

We used rikshaws to travel around Haridwar, which made the experience even more local and fun.

Peace I Wasn’t Looking For

This trip gave me something I was not even searching for — peace.

There was something about Rishikesh that touched my heart deeply. The Ganga, the aartis, the mountains, the quiet nights, the temples, and the feeling of being close to Shiv Ji — everything stayed with me.

I actually had tears in my eyes while leaving Rishikesh.

And maybe that is the magic of this place — you leave the city behind, but the city never really leaves you.