Ram Jhula

The basics

If you're visiting the ashrams of northeastern Rishikesh, you're sure to find yourself crossing Ram Jhula at some point. This major connector takes you from the small shopping area in Muni ki Reti (where the Divine Life Society is located) over to ashrams on the southern banks of the river, including the famous Parmarth Niketan Ashram. River-focused walking tours of Rishikesh often cross the bridge, too.

Things to know before you go

• Always walk on the left with the flow of pedestrians.

• Note that motorbikes do often try to slowly cross the bridge, so it’s a good idea to be aware of your surroundings to avoid getting hit.

• While narrow wheelchairs can get onto the bridge, crowds can make crossing difficult.

How to get there

Ram Jhula is a 15-minute drive northeast of the center of Rishikesh. The best way to visit it from other parts of town is to take a taxi or auto-rickshaw to Muni ki Reti and then cross the bridge on foot. If you’re coming from the opposite side of the river (Swargashram), you can access the bridge by walking downhill from the city’s twin Chotiwala restaurants, about two minutes away on foot.

When to get there

The best time to visit Ram Jhula is first thing in the morning or at night after the crowds of the day have subsided. Afternoon crossings are often cramped and time-consuming, which can be a less-than-pleasant experience on hot days. Rishikesh is at its best in October–November or in March, when the weather is typically pleasantly warm, but neither too cold nor too hot.

Monkey business

It’s not just people you’ll find on Ram Jhula. The bridge also has its fair share of rhesus macaques, orange-hued monkeys that often hang out on the bridge in large troops. They are generally harmless, as long as you leave them alone, but mess with them and you may get bitten. Be careful if you’re carrying food across the bridge, too: Rishikesh’s monkeys are skillful pickpockets.