Hrishikesh
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Rishikesh ऋषिकेश हृषीकेश |
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| City | |
Rishikesh view across Lakshman Jhula bridge over the Ganges
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| Nickname(s): Yoganagari, योगनगरी | |
 Rishikesh
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| Coordinates: 30°06′30″N 78°17′50″E / 30.10833°N 78.29722°ECoordinates: 30°06′30″N 78°17′50″E / 30.10833°N 78.29722°E | |
| Country |
 India
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| State | Uttarakhand |
| District | Dehradun |
| Named for | Hrishikesha (an avatar of Vishnu) |
| Government | |
| • Type | Municipality |
| • Body | Rishikesh Municipal Council |
| • Chairman | Deep Sharma (INC) |
| Area | |
| • Total | 11.5 km2 (4.4 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 372 m (1,220 ft) |
| Population (2011) | |
| • Total | 102,138 (urban agglomeration) 54,466 ♂ 47,672 ♀ |
| • Rank | 7th |
| • Density | 8,851/km2 (22,920/sq mi) |
| Languages | |
| • Official |
Hindi Sanskrit |
| Time zone | IST (UTC+5:30) |
| PIN | 249201 |
| Telephone code | 0135 |
| Vehicle registration | UK 14 |
| Literacy | 86.86% |
| Sex ratio | 875 ♀/♂ |
| Website | www.rishikesh.in |
Rishikesh (Hindi: ऋषिकेश; Sanskrit: हृषीकेश) is a city, municipal council and a tehsil in Dehradun district of the Indian state, Uttarakhand. Located in the foothills of the Himalayas in northern India, it is known as the 'Gateway to the Garhwal Himalayas' and 'Yoga Capital of the World'. Rishikesh is surrounded by three districts: Tehri Garhwal, Pauri Garhwal and Haridwar. It is approximately 25 km north of the city Haridwar and 43 km southeast of the state capital Dehradun. According to Census of India, 2011 Rishikesh had a population of 102,138 making it the 7th most populated city and the largest municipal council in the state of Uttarakhand. It is known as the pilgrimage town and regarded as one of the holiest places to Hindus. Hindu sages and saints have visited Rishikesh since ancient times to meditate in search of higher knowledge.
In September 2015, the Union tourism minister Mahesh Sharma announced that Rishikesh and Haridwar will be the first in India to be given the title of "twin national heritage cities". Due to the religious significance of the place, non-vegetarian food and alcohol is strictly prohibited in Rishikesh.
IAST: "Hṛṣīkeśa" (Sanskrit: हृषीकेश) is a name of Vishnu composed of hṛṣīka meaning 'senses' and īśa meaning 'lord', thus 'Lord of the Senses'. The name commemorates an apparition of Vishnu to Raibhya Rishi, as a result of his tapasya (austerities), as Lord Hrishikesha. In Skanda Purana, this area is known as Kubjāmraka (कुब्जाम्रक) as Lord Vishnu appeared under a mango tree. Another legend says that fierce fire broke out here. Lord Shiva was angry with Lord Agni and cursed him. Then Lord Agni prayed here for the expiation of his sins. Hence it is also known as 'Agni Tīrtha' (अग्नि तीर्थ) — the holy place to do penance of Lord Agni or Fire God.
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Wikipedia