Located at a distance of 4 km from the main town, Lakshman Jhula is one of the most popular tourist attraction of Rishikesh. It is a 450 feet long hanging bride built across the mighty Ganga River at a height of 70 feet.
The bridge is known to be of mythological importance and is connected with great Hindu epic, Ramayana. If legends are to be believed the bridge is named after Lakshman, the brother of Lord Rama. It is said that he had crossed the river from same spot using a long jute rope. Till 1924, the bridge was still a rope bridge that was washed away in floods. Later on, a bridge was constructed here, which was opened for public in 1939.
On one of the ends of the Lakshman Jhula is a popular 13-stoery temple, Tehra Manzil, which has beautiful carved sculptures several Hindu Gods and Goddesses. The bridge boasts of wonderful picturesque surroundings.
Another popular temple here is Lakshman temple that has beautiful paintings and idols. This temple is also known to have a mythological connection. According to legends, there is a bathing square, called the Rishi kund, which is believed to be the site where Lord Rama and Lakshmana had taken bath with water from Ganga River, to stone their sin of killing Ravana.
On both the sides of Lakshmana Jhula, there are local markets where you can get your hands on some wonderful stuff such as incense sticks, Rudraksha mala, idols of Hindu Gods and Goddesses, books on religious topics and so on. There are shops selling gems, locally-made handicraft items as well as precious and semi-precious jewelry. Do not miss sugary delights such as halwa, jalebi, meethi lassi etc. There are several Ashram too, near the bridge.
The bridge lies along the old route to the holy shrines of Kedarnath and Badrinath. Other popular attractions near Lakshman Jhula are Sri Raghunathji Temple Sachha Akhileswar Mahadev Temple, and Trayambakeshwar Temple.
