Complete Guide to Ram Jhula
Ram Jhula Bridge
Ram Jhula (also called Shivananda Jhula) is a wire rope suspension bridge across the Ganga built in 1986 — a newer and wider bridge than Laxman Jhula (built 1929). Ram Jhula is approximately 200m wide (shorter than Laxman Jhula's 450m), connecting the Muni Ki Reti area on the west bank with the Swarg Ashram area on the east bank.
Key difference from Laxman Jhula: Unlike Laxman Jhula (vehicle-banned since 2019), Ram Jhula still permits pedestrians, cyclists and some two-wheelers, though this can vary by local regulation. The bridge is busier and the atmosphere around Ram Jhula is more pilgrimage-oriented and less cafe-tourist than Laxman Jhula. The Chotiwala restaurant (the iconic Rishikesh dhaba) is at the Ram Jhula end.
Parmarth Niketan Ashram
India's largest ashram is situated on the east bank at the Ram Jhula end. Parmarth Niketan was founded by Pujya Swami Shukdevananda Ji Maharaj in 1942 and is now led by Pujya Swami Chidanand Saraswatiji Maharaj. The ashram hosts the most famous Ganga Aarti in Rishikesh every evening (~6 PM, free entry), yoga teacher training programmes, international yoga festivals, and accommodation for spiritual seekers.
The ashram grounds contain: a large Ganga-bank amphitheatre for the aarti, multiple temples, gardens with flower beds and meditation spaces, a large statue of Parmarth Niketan's deity, and a canteen serving simple vegetarian meals. The International Yoga Festival (March 1–7 every year) is held at Parmarth Niketan and is the largest yoga event in Asia.
For the Ganga Aarti, see the complete guide at Ganga Aarti Rishikesh.
Swarg Ashram (East Bank)
The entire east bank area between Ram Jhula and Laxman Jhula is called Swarg Ashram — a pedestrianised, vehicle-free zone of ashrams, small temples, chai stalls and spiritual bookshops. The area has a contemplative, timeless character — sadhus sitting in meditation, incense from temple shrines, the sound of the Ganga at the ghat edge.
Geeta Bhavan murals: Walking south from Ram Jhula along the east bank toward Swarg Ashram, the lane walls are painted with scenes from the Mahabharata and Ramayana — vivid, large-scale religious murals that are one of the distinctive sights of this area. Free to see; 15-minute walk along the lane.
Swarg Ashram Ghat: One of Rishikesh's main ghats — a stepped river access point where pilgrims bathe and devotees sit watching the Ganga. Sunsets and sunrises from the ghat are beautiful. The ghat is active at dawn (bathing pilgrims) and at dusk (aarti preparation).
Sivananda Ashram (West Bank)
On the west bank at Ram Jhula, the Sivananda Ashram (Divine Life Society) was founded by Swami Sivananda in 1936. It is one of the most important yoga institutions in the world — the headquarters of the organisation that spread Integral Yoga globally. The ashram library, Swami Sivananda's memorial room, and the yoga hall are open to visitors. The ashram has a more academic and less commercially oriented atmosphere than Parmarth Niketan — a place for serious yoga students rather than tourists.
How to Reach Ram Jhula
Ram Jhula is 2 km south of Laxman Jhula — auto ₹30–₄₀ from Laxman Jhula or 25-minute walk along the east bank. From Rishikesh main bus stand: auto ₹40–₆₀, 10 min. See Rishikesh overview.
Budget, Hotels & Travel Tips
- Best walking route: The most atmospheric Rishikesh walk is: Laxman Jhula (east bank) → south along the east bank lane through the Geeta Bhavan murals → Parmarth Niketan → Ram Jhula bridge → Sivananda Ashram (west bank). This 2-km walk takes 30–40 minutes and covers the full spiritual character of Rishikesh in a single afternoon route. Do this walk ending at Parmarth Niketan at 5:30 PM to time it with the Ganga Aarti.
- Chotiwala restaurant: The iconic Chotiwala restaurant — with its famous mascot figure — is at both ends of Ram Jhula. It serves traditional vegetarian thalis (₹80–₁₅₀) and is the most famous local eating institution in Rishikesh. Tourists and pilgrims alike eat here.
- Accommodation near Ram Jhula: The east bank around Swarg Ashram has several guesthouses and small ashram accommodation options — simpler and more spiritually oriented than the cafe-culture guesthouses at Laxman Jhula. Good choice for yoga retreat visitors wanting ashram immersion rather than the tourist cafe strip.
FAQs
- What is the difference between Laxman Jhula and Ram Jhula in Rishikesh?
- Both are suspension bridges across the Ganga. Laxman Jhula (450m, built 1930, vehicle-banned since 2019) is further north, the longer and more famous bridge, with the international cafe scene and Tera Manzil temple on the east bank. Ram Jhula (built 1986, permits pedestrians and two-wheelers) is 2 km south, the spiritual centre of Rishikesh, with Parmarth Niketan ashram and the Ganga Aarti on the east bank and the Sivananda Ashram on the west bank. Laxman Jhula is the tourist and yoga-culture heart; Ram Jhula is the pilgrimage and spiritual heart. Both are essential Rishikesh experiences.
- Is the Ganga Aarti at Ram Jhula or Laxman Jhula?
- The main Ganga Aarti (at Parmarth Niketan) is held at the Ram Jhula end of the east bank — Parmarth Niketan ashram sits at the Ram Jhula east bank landing, 2 km south of Laxman Jhula. The ceremony takes place on the Ganga bank steps of Parmarth Niketan ashram. A separate, smaller Ganga Aarti also takes place at Triveni Ghat in Muni Ki Reti (main town). See Ganga Aarti guide.