Laxman Jhula Travel Guide
The iconic 137-metre iron suspension bridge across the Ganga at Rishikesh — ashrams, yoga centres and cafes line both banks; the original bridge (1939) was replaced in 2024.
- Altitude
- 350 m
- Best season
- Year round
- From Dehradun
- ~27 km
- Category
- Pilgrimage
Why visit Laxman Jhula
- The most iconic landmark in Rishikesh — the suspension bridge with the Ganga's green water flowing below is one of Uttarakhand's defining images
- Hub of Rishikesh's yoga, ashram and traveller culture — the lanes on both banks are unlike anywhere else in India
- Trimbakeshwar temple on the east bank (13 storeys) offers a rooftop view of the Ganga gorge that is free to enter
- Evening aarti at the ghats near the bridge is smaller and more intimate than Haridwar's but equally atmospheric
Laxman Jhula is a 137-metre iron suspension bridge spanning the Ganga at Rishikesh, connecting the Tapovan area on the east bank to Jonk village on the west. The original bridge, built in 1939, became structurally unsafe and was closed to traffic in 2019; a new, wider suspension bridge was completed and opened in 2024, preserving the iconic crossing. According to tradition, Laxman (brother of Lord Rama) crossed the Ganga here on a jute rope bridge — the current bridge perpetuates that legend. On the east bank, the 13-storey Trimbakeshwar temple and numerous ashrams and yoga centres cluster around the bridge approach.
The area around Laxman Jhula is the beating heart of Rishikesh's spiritual and traveller culture. Narrow lanes on both banks are lined with ashrams, yoga schools, Ayurvedic clinics, bookshops and cafes — many catering to the large community of international visitors who come to study yoga and meditation. The bridge itself is a viewing spot for the Ganga's swift green water flowing through a forested gorge. Evening aarti at the nearby ghats draws large crowds. Laxman Jhula is 5 km north of Ram Jhula (Shivananda Jhula) and the main Rishikesh market, and the two bridges are often visited together.
Explore around
Places near Laxman Jhula
Second iconic suspension bridge in Rishikesh; Sivananda Ashram nearby
Main bathing ghat in Rishikesh; largest evening Ganga aarti in town
Major Shiva temple on a forested hill above Rishikesh; pilgrim road trip
What to do
Activities at Laxman Jhula
Bridge crossing
Walk the 137 m suspension bridge — views of the Ganga below and the forested gorge are excellent from mid-bridge
Yoga and meditation
Dozens of ashrams and yoga schools within 500 m of the bridge offer drop-in classes, week-long courses and teacher training programmes
Ganga aarti
Evening aarti at the ghats near Laxman Jhula — smaller and more intimate than Haridwar; held daily at sunset
Cafe culture
Rooftop cafes on both banks serve Continental and Israeli food to the international traveller community — a distinctive Rishikesh experience
Book with us
Tours covering Laxman Jhula
Before you go
Laxman Jhula travel tips
- Visit early morning (6–8 am) for the calmest atmosphere and best Ganga light — the lanes fill with tourists by mid-morning
- The 2024 replacement bridge is wider and sturdier than the original; it now allows bicycle crossing which was restricted before
- The east bank (Tapovan side) is quieter and more residential; the west bank (Jonk side) has more tourist facilities
- Do not rent motorcycles and drive them across the bridge — two-wheelers are now restricted to the newer bridge lanes only
Getting there
How to reach Laxman Jhula
Dehradun → Rishikesh (27 km, 45 min). From Rishikesh main market/ISBT, shared autos and rickshaws to Laxman Jhula (5 km, 20 min). Taxis and e-rickshaws also available.
Nearest airport: Jolly Grant, Dehradun (35 km from Laxman Jhula). Taxi directly to Laxman Jhula (45 min).
Haridwar (24 km from Laxman Jhula) has better rail connectivity than Rishikesh. From Haridwar, taxi or shared bus to Rishikesh then auto to Laxman Jhula.
Where to stay in Laxman Jhula
- Dozens of guesthouses and small hotels line the lanes on both banks of the Ganga near Laxman Jhula — backpacker rooms, rooftop yoga retreats and ashram accommodation are all available within walking distance of the bridge.
- Rishikesh main town (5 km) and Tapovan (east bank village) have mid-range and upmarket hotels for those wanting more comfort.
Food & dining
- The lanes around Laxman Jhula have the most varied eating scene in Rishikesh — rooftop cafes serving Israeli, Italian, Mexican and health food alongside traditional Indian ashram meals and street chai.
- The Beatles Cafe and the Little Buddha Cafe on the east bank are long-standing traveller institutions; dozens of newer cafes compete on rooftop views and espresso quality.
Background
History of Laxman Jhula
The original Laxman Jhula bridge, built in 1939 of iron chains and wooden planks, replaced a rope bridge that had served the crossing for centuries. According to Hindu mythology, this is the spot where Laxman (brother of Rama) crossed the Ganga on a rope of jute during the events of the Ramayana; a 13th-century saint later constructed a rope bridge to commemorate the crossing. The 1939 bridge was repaired multiple times before being declared structurally unsafe in 2019 and closed to traffic.
A new, wider suspension bridge was completed and inaugurated in 2024, restoring the crossing and preserving the landmark. The area around Laxman Jhula developed as a yoga and spiritual hub from the 1950s onward, when the Sivananda Ashram and later Maharishi Mahesh Yogi's ashram (where the Beatles stayed in 1968) attracted international attention. The east bank Tapovan area became a dense settlement of ashrams, yoga schools and international traveller services over the following decades.
Plan your trip
Suggested Laxman Jhula itinerary
- Day 1Drive Dehradun to Rishikesh (45 min). Auto to Laxman Jhula. Cross bridge. Explore Tapovan lanes, Trimbakeshwar temple rooftop view. Lunch at a rooftop cafe. Afternoon yoga drop-in class. Evening Ganga aarti at the ghats. Overnight east or west bank guesthouse.
- Day 2Morning meditation or yoga class. Walk 5 km south to Ram Jhula and Sivananda Ashram (or take e-rickshaw). Triveni Ghat. Return to Laxman Jhula for final exploration. Drive back to Dehradun or continue to Haridwar.
Common questions
Laxman Jhula FAQ
- Is the original Laxman Jhula still standing?
- The original 1939 bridge was replaced by a new suspension bridge completed in 2024 following years of closure due to structural safety concerns. The new bridge preserves the same crossing point and general appearance.
- Can I do adventure activities near Laxman Jhula?
- Yes — white-water rafting operators (covering the Shivpuri–Rishikesh stretch of the Ganga) have their booking offices near Laxman Jhula. Bungee jumping and giant swing facilities are located 8 km north at Mohan Chatti.
- Is Laxman Jhula the same as Ram Jhula?
- No — they are two separate suspension bridges 5 km apart on the Ganga. Laxman Jhula is north of Ram Jhula (also called Shivananda Jhula). Both are in Rishikesh and are usually visited together.
- What is the best way to travel between Laxman Jhula and Ram Jhula?
- The riverside path is walkable (5 km, about 1 hour) and very pleasant. E-rickshaws and shared autos also cover the route for a few rupees.
Ready to visit Laxman Jhula?
Tell us your dates and we’ll put together a plan that fits.