Lakshman Jhula: A Historic Suspension Bridge Offering Spiritual and Scenic Delights in Rishikesh

Lakshman Jhula is a famous suspension bridge over the river Ganges in Rishikesh, a town in the Indian state of Uttarakhand known for its spiritual and adventure attractions. The bridge is 450 feet long and 70 feet high from the river level. It connects the villages of Tapovan and Jonk on either side of the river. The bridge is a popular tourist spot as it offers a panoramic view of the river, the mountains and the ashrams.

History and Significance

Lakshman Jhula is named after Lakshman, the younger brother of Lord Rama, the hero of the Hindu epic Ramayana. It is believed that Lakshman crossed the river Ganges at this spot using a jute rope bridge. The current iron bridge was built in 1929 to replace the old rope bridge that was washed away by a flood in 1924. The bridge was inaugurated by Sir Malcolm Haley, the Governor of United Provinces (now Uttar Pradesh) on 11 April 1930. The bridge was constructed by the Public Works Department with the contribution of Rai Bahadur Shewpershad Tulshan, who donated the extra cost of building the bridge on the site of the old one to honor his father Rai Bahadur Surajmal Jhunjhunwala. The bridge was declared toll-free and open to all.

The bridge is also associated with Swami Sivananda Saraswati, a renowned spiritual leader who founded the Divine Life Society in Rishikesh. He used to cross the bridge daily to visit his disciples and give discourses. His ashram is located near the west end of the bridge.

Attractions and Activities

Lakshman Jhula is more than just a bridge; it is a hub of cultural and recreational activities. Visitors can walk across the bridge and enjoy the breeze and the scenery, or take a boat ride under it and admire its engineering. The bridge is also a popular spot for photography, as it offers a panoramic view of the surroundings. On both sides of the bridge, there are many ashrams and temples that offer spiritual guidance, yoga classes, meditation sessions and vegetarian food. Some of the notable ones are:

- Lakshman Temple: A temple dedicated to Lakshman, located near the east end of the bridge. It is said to be built on the spot where Lakshman performed penance after killing Ravana's son Indrajit.

- Tera Manzil Temple: A multi-storey temple with idols of various Hindu gods and goddesses, located near the west end of the bridge. It also has a terrace that offers a splendid view of the river and the mountains.

- Gita Bhawan: A large complex that hosts discourses on the Bhagavad Gita, a sacred Hindu scripture. It also has a library, a museum and a book store.

- Parmarth Niketan: One of the largest ashrams in Rishikesh, known for its evening Ganga Aarti, a ritual of offering lamps and prayers to the river goddess.

- Swarg Ashram: A cluster of ashrams and temples on the east bank of the river, opposite to Lakshman Jhula. It is considered to be the spiritual center of Rishikesh.

Apart from these, there are also many shops, cafes and restaurants near the bridge that cater to different tastes and budgets. Visitors can also indulge in some adventure activities such as rafting, bungee jumping and camping that are available in Rishikesh.

Best Visiting Timings and Ease to Reach

The best time to visit Lakshman Jhula is during the winter months from October to March, when the weather is pleasant and clear. The bridge is open throughout the day and night, but it is advisable to avoid peak hours when it can get crowded with pedestrians and motorbikes. The bridge is also frequented by monkeys, so visitors should be careful with their belongings.

Lakshman Jhula is easily accessible by road from Rishikesh town. It is about 5 kilometers (3 miles) north-east of Rishikesh railway station and 20 kilometers (12 miles) from Dehradun airport.