Lakshman Jhula, Rishikesh

Lakshman Jhula is a suspended iron bridge that has become very popular amongst the tourists for the views it offers of the flowing Ganga below. The Ganga appears very serene and yet tempestuous and river rafting crews are often spotted passing underneath the bridge on the way to their white water expeditions. Tourists usually stand on the bridge and throw fish food into the river to watch the large river fish surface for a feed. 450 feet long, this bridge was built in 1939 and is the main path for people going up the hills and down to Gita Bhavan and Swarg Ashram. Before that there was a hanging jute rope bridge where the existing Lakshman Jhula stands. It is said that Lakshman, Lord Rama's brother crossed the river at this very spot on a jute bridge. Hence the name 'Lakshman Jhula'. Manning either side of the bridge are temples and ashrams. The most popular amongst them being the Lakshman Temple at Tapovan, Shri Raghunathji Temple and the 13 storied Kailashananda Temple with each floor being dedicated to a different deity. Close to this bridge is yet another bridge called the Ram Jhula. The Ram Jhula has been built recently between the Shivanand Ashram and Swarg Ashram.