Lakshman Jhula, Rishikesh, Uttarakhand

The popular hanging bridge across the holy river Ganga, Lakshman Jhula is a known landmark in Rishikesh, Uttarakhand. This 450 ft long Jhula is built at a height of 70 ft from the river and is about 3 kms away from the main town of Rishikesh.

Interestingly this bridge has a history attached to it. As per the Hindu mythology, Lakshman, the younger brother of Lord Sri Rama, crossed the holy river Ganga at the same site where the bridge stands today. At that time this bridge was made up of jute. The bridge came to be known as the Lakshman Jhula after this incident. In 1939 the jute bridge was replaced with a new iron bridge that was built along the same path.

Hundreds of people visit this Jhula each day as it has become the most visited spot because of its ancient origin and religious sanctity. Tourists and religious travelers mainly visiting Terah Manzil, a thirteen storey temple near the Jhula, cross the Jhula all through the day. Don’t miss to check out the wonderful view of the surroundings from the Jhula and also from the top floor of the Terah Manzil temple.

Another very renowned temple around the bridge is the Lakshman temple. This temple houses a Risha Kund and according to the mythological tales after killing Ravana, Lord Rama and Lakshman took bath in this Kund to get rid of their sins.

The area around Lakshman Jhula will make you experience the mystic, sacred and calm feeling. A still view from the Lakshman Jhula will comprise of hundreds of religious people, clad in colourful clothes, lost in performing the religious traditions. Standing on the bridge you can hear the amalgamated sound of ringing bells, people chanting mantras and shlokas and gushing waters of the holy river Ganga.

Visit the local market developed around the Jhula. The market is famous for wooden goods, idols of mainly Hindu Gods and Goddesses, Rudrakshas, religious books, local jewelries, gems and traditional clothes. Shop for souvenirs and knick-knacks to take back home and make sure to dig in some excellent street food while in the market.

Lakshman Jhula, the famous hanging bridge across Ganga, is about 3 km from the main township of Rishikesh. It is 450 feet long and is situated at a height of 70 feet from the river. As per mythological tales, once Lakshman, the younger brother of Lord Rama, crossed river Ganga at the same site where the bridge now stands. At that time, there was only a suspension bridge, made of jute. After this incident, the bridge came to be known as ‘Lakshman Jhula’. With time, the jute bridge eroded and a new iron bridge was built along the same path in 1939.

Lakshman Jhula is actually an adjoining bridge across the Ganga, along the old route to the holy shrines of Badrinath and Kedarnath. The jhula has now become one of the most visited tourist spot of Rishikesh, not simply because of its ancient origin and religious sanctity, but also because of the grand temples and wonderful local markettht have come to be developed around it. A thirteen storey temple, called Terah Manzil, near the Lakshman Jhula is very popular amongst visitors. The top floor of this temple gives a wonderful view of the surroundings.

Another temple around the bridge is the ‘Lakshman temple’, with Risha Kund. According to locals, Lord Ram and Lakshman took bath in the kund, after killing Ravana, to get rid of their sins. The entire area around the Lakshman Jhula gives a mystic, holy and serene feeling. As you see people lost in the religious traditions, the entire area gets submerged in enchanting mantras and shlokas from the temples. The market around Lakshman Jhula is famous for wooden goods, Rudraksha, Idols of Gods and Goddesses, holy books, gems, local jewelries, clothes and excellent street food.