Rishikesh, Uttarakhand ·
Rishikesh and the Ganga as a film location
Temples on the riverbank, rafts on the rapids and the evening aarti. Where and when Rishikesh works on camera.
Rishikesh sits where the Ganga leaves the mountains and enters the plains, in a narrow, forested valley lined with temples, ashrams and ghats. It is one of the most filmed places in Uttarakhand, and for good reason: within a few kilometres you have the river, the old temple towers above it, the footbridges across it, and a daily rhythm of prayer, rafting and pilgrimage that gives you life in every frame.
The river and the riverbank
The Ganga here is wide, fast and a striking green for much of the year. The temple complexes on the east bank, with their tiered towers above the water, are among the most recognisable views in the town, and they read best from across the river or from a boat. The ghats, the stepped banks where people bathe and pray, give you closer, human-scale scenes, especially in the early morning.
Mornings on the river, evenings at the aarti
The evening aarti
Every evening, ceremonies of fire and song are held on the ghats, most famously at Triveni Ghat and at Parmarth Niketan. They are moving to film, with lamps, chanting and the river in the background, but they are acts of worship first. Arrive early, stay out of the way of the priests and worshippers, ask before filming people up close, and keep lights and drones away from the ceremony.
Rafting season
Rishikesh is India’s best-known white-water rafting centre. Commercial rafting generally runs from around September to June and pauses during the monsoon, when the river runs high and dangerous. If your story involves the rapids, plan for the rafting season and work with an established operator, who can put a camera boat or a safety kayaker exactly where you need one.
Light in the valley
The valley is narrow and the hills are steep, so the sun reaches the river late in the morning and leaves it early in the evening. Early mornings often bring mist on the water, which is beautiful but lifts quickly. Plan your riverside set-ups around when the sun actually clears the hills, not around sunrise on the calendar.
Crowds and timing
Rishikesh is busy, particularly at weekends, on festival days and through the main tourist season. For clean shots of the ghats and bridges, work early in the morning on weekdays. Build in time for crowds, and treat the town’s religious character with respect in what you film and how you dress.
Permission to shoot
Uttarakhand actively encourages filming, and the Uttarakhand Film Development Council is the starting point for permissions on commercial shoots in the state. Requirements depend on the location and the scale of the production, so contact them early, and allow extra time for locations such as temples, ashrams and protected areas, which may need their own consent.
We are based in Uttarakhand and film along the Ganga regularly. If you are planning a shoot in Rishikesh or anywhere in the state, send us your dates and your story and we will help you find the right places and the right hours.