Rishikesh, Uttarakhand

Rishikesh sits where the Ganga leaves the Himalayan foothills and enters the plains, and the town has built its identity around that meeting point. Known worldwide as the "Yoga Capital of the World," it draws two very different crowds side by side: pilgrims visiting ashrams and temples along the riverbank, and adventure travellers here for white-water rafting, bungee jumping, and Himalayan treks. Its global profile grew sharply after The Beatles stayed at Maharishi Mahesh Yogi's ashram here in 1968, and the "Beatles Ashram" (now inside Rajaji National Park) remains a major draw. The two suspension bridges, Ram Jhula and Lakshman Jhula, and the evening Ganga Aarti at Parmarth Niketan and Triveni Ghat are the town's defining images.

- Evening Ganga Aarti on the ghats — the same ritual Haridwar is famous for, in a quieter, more intimate riverside setting

- India's best-known base for river rafting, from short beginner stretches to the longer Shivpuri–Rishikesh run

- Dozens of ashrams and yoga schools, from single-day drop-in classes to certified teacher-training courses

- Walkable riverside town — Ram Jhula, Lakshman Jhula, and Tapovan are all connected on foot along the ghats

- Gateway to the Char Dham Yatra and treks further into the Garhwal Himalayas