Laxman Jhula & Ram Jhula: Rishikesh's Iconic Bridges
Laxman Jhula and Ram Jhula, Rishikesh's two iconic suspension bridges over the Ganga, anchor the town's spiritual and commercial life on either bank.
Rishikesh's identity is inseparable from its two suspension bridges spanning the Ganga — Laxman Jhula and Ram Jhula — both connecting the town's two banks and serving as much as social and commercial hubs as practical river crossings.
The History and Legend of Laxman Jhula
Local tradition holds that Lord Rama's brother Lakshman crossed the Ganga at this exact point using a jute rope bridge, a legend that gives the current iron suspension bridge — built in 1929, replacing earlier structures — its name and enduring religious significance. Standing roughly 450 feet long and suspended well above the river, the bridge offers genuinely dramatic views up and down the Ganga valley, alongside a close-up look at the temples and ashrams clustered on both banks.
Ram Jhula: The Newer, Wider Crossing
Ram Jhula, built later than Laxman Jhula and situated slightly downstream, is a wider, sturdier bridge that also accommodates two-wheeler traffic alongside pedestrians, unlike Laxman Jhula which is pedestrian-only. Ram Jhula connects directly to some of Rishikesh's largest ashrams, including Parmarth Niketan and Swarg Ashram, making it the more practically significant crossing for many pilgrims and long-term visitors moving between accommodation and the town's spiritual centres.
What to See Around Both Bridges
The areas immediately surrounding both bridges are dense with small shops selling religious items, clothing, jewellery, and souvenirs, alongside cafés and restaurants catering to the steady flow of pilgrims, yoga students, and tourists crossing throughout the day. Temples cluster particularly thickly around the Laxman Jhula side, including the multi-storied Trayambakeshwar Temple, a distinctive, colourful structure visible from a considerable distance along the riverbank.
Crossing the Bridges: What to Expect
Both bridges can get genuinely crowded, particularly during peak tourist season and around the evening aarti hours when foot traffic between the banks peaks — expect to share the crossing with pedestrians, occasional two-wheelers on Ram Jhula, and, notably, the local monkey population, which is accustomed to visitors and sometimes bold around food or bags. Holding onto belongings securely and avoiding overtly displaying food while crossing helps avoid unwanted monkey attention, a genuinely common minor annoyance at both bridges.