Situated 24 km upstream from Haridwar, at the confluence of the Chandrabhaga and Ganga, Rishikesh has long been a spiritual centre. It is said that the sage Raibhya Rishi did severe penance here and as a reward, God appeared to him in the form of Hrishikesh, hence the name. The town of Rishikesh lies in the foothills of the Garhwal region. It is the gateway to the upper Garhwal region and the starting point for pilgrim routes to the four dhams of Uttarakhand - Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri & Yamunotri.

The Ganga flows through the town and is worshipped here. After this it descends to the plains at Haridwar. The whole place is considered to be sacred as it is believed that meditation at this place leads to attainment of salvation.