A Guide To Triveni Ghat, Rishikesh

Triveni Ghat Rishikesh
Priyanjali
Priyanjali 
Published
| 4 min read

Nestled at the confluence of the Chandrabhanga and the Ganges rivers, Rishikesh serves as the gateway town to the holy Char Dham pilgrim route to the Himalayas. Ancient sages are said to have chosen Rishikesh as their meditation spot, which why several ashrams and blessed sites call the city their home now. Triveni Ghat is one of the holiest and most popular spots, marking the sangam (confluence) of the three holy rivers – Ganges, Yamuna, and Saraswati. Large idols of Lord Vishnu and Lord Krishna can be spotted here, along with thousands of pilgrims, taking a dip in the sacred waters beneath. It is believed that the sacredness of water here is such that only a dip can absolve pilgrims of their sins – would you believe! Here’s a guide to Triveni Ghat, Rishikesh, that’ll tell you just about everything you need to know. Read it now and get planning on that getaway!

Things to do / Highlights

Ganga aarti
Source: Pexels

Attend the Ganga aarti

Also known as the Maha Arti, this is one of Triveni Ghat’s biggest highlights. It takes place at the ghat itself and sees many thousands of devotees gathering to witness it and offer prayers. The main priests of various temples perform the aarti, accompanied by a chanting of bhajans (devotional songs), beating drums and bells, and large crowds of devotees singing along. Devotees also float lit diyas (oil lamps) and flowers as religious offerings in the waters of the river and this, together with the ambience of the chants and bhajans makes for a wholly amazing experience. The aarti usually takes place 5:30/6pm onwards, although there can be a slight change in timings (sometimes) because of the sunset.

Hitch a boat ride

This is another popular activity tourists engage in. You can float along the waters of river Ganges and admire the beauty of Triveni Ghat and the many temples and ashrams in the area. These rides are typically about 20-30 minutes long, but you can extend it at an extra charge. You’ll find several boat ride vendors at the ghat. These rides cost about 1 USD per person.

Take a refreshing dip in the waters

Just walk up to the ghat and dip into the waters of River Ganges. You don’t need any planning or any prerequisite for this – it’s open for all! Devotees take the holy dip regardless of the season or time.

Feed the fish

You’ll find several vendors selling fish feed at the ghat. You can buy some and go on to feed the fish in the waters of the river.

Seek blessings at the nearby temples

Apart from enjoying at the ghat itself, you can stop by at one of the many temples there too. The Laxmi Narayan Temple, Geeta Temple, Tara Mata Mandir, Lal Mandir, Shri Bharat Mandir, Bhadra Kali Mandir, Gopal Mandir, and Hanuman Mandir are a few of them you can head to.

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Things to buy

Stall selling religious stuff
Source: Pexels

The ghat’s outer perimeter has a small market, where you’ll find a variety of items, such as worship idols and photographs, religious texts, assorted trinkets, pieces of jewellery, semi-precious and precious gems, and handicrafts. Additionally, you’ll even find stalls/stores selling Indian clothes – salwar-kameez and colourful dupattas for women and Nehru jackets, kurta-pyjamas, or caps for men. You can pick up some of these items to take back as souvenirs or keepsakes.

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Travellers tips

Boat on the Ganges near Lakshman Jhula, Rishikesh, Uttarakhand, India
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Dan Searle used under CC BY-SA 2.0

Negotiating the crowds

Remember that Triveni Ghat is a hugely popular spot amongst devotees, local as well as international tourists, so you can expect to overcrowd. It can get especially so around the timing of Ganga aarti.

Beware of petty thievery

Owing to massive crowds, it is strongly advised that you keep a tight check on your valuable belongings – wallets, purses, jewellery, camera, mobile phones, etc. Keep your cash safely and don’t leave your belongings unattended at any point.

Time your visit wisely

Weekends, holidays, and certain festivals (Diwali, Dussehra, Holi, Ekadashi, and a few others) are when the ghat is most crowded. To enjoy a (relatively) quiet time at the ghat, head there during the offseason or go prepared for some hustle-bustle.

Wheelchair accessible

You can take wheelchairs to the ghat. However, there may be restrictions on taking wheelchair-bound visitors for boat rides or into the water for a dip.

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How to get there

Transport in Rishikesh
Source: Piqsels

Triveni Ghat is located about 6 km (4 mi) away from the equally famous Laxman Jhula, in the heart of the city, so it enjoys easy access.

On foot

Due to the ghat’s central location, most tourists prefer heading there on foot. This way, they don’t have to worry about busy roads and even make a few other stops along the way. Note for one-day travellers: Triveni Ghat is at an easy distance of about 1.5 km (1 mi) from the Rishikesh Railway Station, so you can easily walk it from there.

Two-wheeler

You’ll find several visitors renting two-wheelers and going about the town that way. There are several rental shops around the town, so you can hit up any to rent one. The parking for two-wheelers is the same as the one for cars.

Three-wheeler

You can hitch an easy three-wheeler ride to Triveni Ghat from any place in Rishikesh. Remember to agree on the travel fare before starting the ride.

Bus

The Rishikesh Bus Stand is about a kilometre (0.5 miles) away from Triveni Ghat and you’ll find quite a few buses plying to and from there. You can walk it to the ghat from the bus stand or hitch a three-wheeler ride.

Car

You can drive it down to the ghat as well. Although, it is not the most preferred mode of conveyance because of bad traffic.

Parking information

There is a large parking lot at a walking distance from Triveni Ghat.

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Triveni Ghat information

Panaroma view of triveni ghat
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Sujon Kumar Roy used under CC BY-SA 4.0

Triveni Ghat

Address: Rishikesh 249201, India

Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)

Department of tourism: Rishikesh tourism

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Priyanjali, a writer and traveler, identifies as a self-proclaimed aesthete dedicated to achieving fulfillment in her personal and professional life. Her skill lies in transforming intangible...Read more

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