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Rishikesh

Lakshman Jhula

Rishikesh, Uttarakhand · monument

Open dailyEntry Fee: Free EntryThe riverside area and viewpoints are open through the day; there is no ticket or gate. Note: the historic Lakshman Jhula deck itself is currently closed to the public for safety — confirm locally whether the crossing (or the new Bajrang Setu alongside) is walkable on the day.

Lakshman Jhula is the single most recognisable landmark of Rishikesh — a slender iron suspension footbridge slung across the Ganga where the river, still cold and green from the Himalaya, sweeps through a gorge lined with temples and ashrams. The present bridge was constructed between 1927 and 1929 and opened to traffic in April 1930, replacing an earlier jute-and-rope crossing washed away by the great flood of 1924. It spans roughly 450 feet (about 137 metres) on two towers and hangs some 18–21 metres above the summer water level, linking the village of Tapovan on the west bank (Tehri Garhwal district) with Jonk on the east (Pauri Garhwal district).

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Where to Eat Nearby

  • ✦A riverside pure-veg cafe near Lakshman Jhula (west bank) — German-bakery-style bakes, coffee and light meals with a direct view of the bridge; ask for eggless bakes and please confirm current timings on arrival.
  • ✦Little Buddha Cafe (near Lakshman Jhula) — a multi-level riverside pure-veg cafe with Ganga views, serving pancakes, pasta and juices; reportedly popular with the yoga crowd.
  • ✦Chotiwala Restaurant (Swarg Ashram / Ram Jhula, ~2 km) — an iconic pure-vegetarian institution known for its full thali; a classic Rishikesh meal, though a short ride from Lakshman Jhula.
  • ✦Local satvik dhabas and juice stalls around the bridge lanes — being a holy vegetarian, alcohol-free city, the whole neighbourhood is pure-veg; choose busy, freshly cooked stalls.

About

Lakshman Jhula is the single most recognisable landmark of Rishikesh — a slender iron suspension footbridge slung across the Ganga where the river, still cold and green from the Himalaya, sweeps through a gorge lined with temples and ashrams.

  • The present bridge was constructed between 1927 and 1929 and opened to traffic in April 1930, replacing an earlier jute-and-rope crossing washed away by the great flood of 1924.
  • It spans roughly 450 feet (about 137 metres) on two towers and hangs some 18–21 metres above the summer water level, linking the village of Tapovan on the west bank (Tehri Garhwal district) with Jonk on the east (Pauri Garhwal district). The name carries deep meaning.
  • In the Ramayana tradition, Lakshman — younger brother of Rama — is believed to have crossed the Ganga here on a bridge of jute rope while performing penance, and the modern bridge preserves that memory in iron.
  • For decades it was the beating heart of upper Rishikesh: pilgrims, sadhus, cows, motorcycles and market crowds all funnelled across its gently swaying deck, with the thirteen-storey Tera Manzil (Trimbakeshwar) Temple rising at its western foot and the Lakshman Temple nearby.
  • Because Rishikesh is a holy city that is vegetarian and alcohol-free by law, the lanes around the bridge are a pure-vegetarian paradise.
  • Riverside cafes and German-bakery-style spots on both banks serve satvik thalis, wholewheat pancakes, herbal chai and fresh juices — many with a direct view of the bridge and the flowing Ganga.
  • Combine a visit with the Triveni Ghat evening aarti and the Swarg Ashram temple cluster for a full sense of Rishikesh's riverside spirituality.

An honest note for travellers

the century-old bridge has been closed to the public since 2019 after safety inspections, and the crossing itself is no longer walkable. A modern replacement, the Bajrang Setu — a wider suspension bridge with a glass walkway — has been built alongside it to carry future foot traffic; visitors should confirm locally which bridge is open on the day. Even closed, Lakshman Jhula remains a spectacular sight, best admired from the riverbanks, the ghats, the temple terraces or the neighbouring Ram Jhula (2 km downstream), where it frames beautifully against the forested hills.

Timings & Entry Fee

Entry FeeFree Entry

Verified: August 2026

Location & How to Reach

Address

Lakshman Jhula, connecting Tapovan (west bank) and Jonk (east bank) over the Ganga, ~5 km north-east of central Rishikesh, Rishikesh, Uttarakhand, 249302

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How to Reach: Lakshman Jhula is about 5 km north-east of central Rishikesh. From Rishikesh (Triveni Ghat / main market), an auto-rickshaw or shared Vikram tempo costs roughly ₹30–150 and takes 15–20 minutes. From Rishikesh railway station it is about 6 km (auto ₹150–200). From Haridwar it is around 25 km (taxi ₹600–900, about an hour). The last stretch is a pedestrian lane, so vehicles drop you near the bridge approach. There is no metro anywhere in the region.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Lakshman Jhula open to walk across right now?

No. The historic 1929 Lakshman Jhula bridge has been closed to the public since 2019 after safety inspections, so you cannot currently walk across the old deck. A modern replacement, the Bajrang Setu (a wider suspension bridge with a glass walkway), has been built alongside it to carry foot traffic. Because the situation has been changing, confirm locally on the day which bridge is open. Even when the old deck is closed, the bridge remains a superb sight from the banks and the nearby Ram Jhula.

Is there an entry fee for Lakshman Jhula?

No. There is no entry fee or ticket to visit Lakshman Jhula or the riverside area around it — it is a public landmark. Only paid activities such as rafting or a cafe meal cost money. The viewpoints, ghats and temple terraces from which you admire the bridge are all free.

How do I reach Lakshman Jhula from Rishikesh and Haridwar?

Lakshman Jhula is about 5 km north-east of central Rishikesh. From the main Rishikesh market or Triveni Ghat, an auto-rickshaw or shared Vikram tempo takes 15–20 minutes (roughly ₹30–150). From Rishikesh railway station it is about 6 km. From Haridwar it is around 25 km — a taxi takes about an hour (₹600–900). The final approach is a pedestrian lane, so you walk the last stretch. There is no metro in the region.

Why is the bridge called Lakshman Jhula?

It is named after Lakshman, the younger brother of Lord Rama in the Ramayana. Tradition holds that Lakshman crossed the Ganga at this spot on a bridge made of jute rope while performing penance. The site has carried a rope-and-later-iron crossing for generations; the present iron suspension bridge was completed in 1929 and opened in 1930, replacing an earlier bridge destroyed by the 1924 flood.

What is there to see around Lakshman Jhula?

The area is one of the most atmospheric corners of Rishikesh. At the western foot of the bridge stands the striking thirteen-storey Tera Manzil (Trimbakeshwar) Temple, with the Lakshman Temple close by. The lanes are full of ashrams, yoga schools, handicraft shops and riverside cafes. Downstream, Ram Jhula and the Swarg Ashram temple cluster make an easy add-on, and Triveni Ghat's evening Ganga aarti is a short ride away.

Where can I eat vegetarian food near Lakshman Jhula?

Rishikesh is a holy city that is vegetarian and alcohol-free by law, so the entire neighbourhood is pure-veg. A riverside pure-veg cafe beside the bridge serves German-bakery-style bakes and coffee overlooking the Ganga (ask for eggless bakes); Little Buddha Cafe offers multi-level riverside dining; and the iconic Chotiwala near Ram Jhula serves a classic full vegetarian thali. Local satvik dhabas and fresh-juice stalls line the lanes — choose busy, freshly cooked spots.

Categories

Heritage & CultureSpirituality & Religion

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Lakshman Jhula, Rishikesh — TasteYatra