MEANING OF RISHIKESH - LORD OF SENSES - LORD VISHNU

 

 

The root words Hrishik and ish join together to make Hrishikesh (हृषिकेश). 

 

Hrishik means Senses and ish means master or Lord. Hence the word means Lord of Senses or Lord Vishnu. 

 

The sage Raibhya conquered his senses and attained Vishnu, the conqueror of senses. Hence the place is known as Hrishikesh (हृषिकेश). However, later on it was pronounced as Rishikesh (ऋषिकेश).

Another legend says that fierce fire broke out here. Lord Shankar was angry with Lord Agni and cursed him. Then Lord Agni prayed here for the expiation of his sins. Hence it is also known as Agni Tirth - The holy place to penance of Lord Agni or Fire God.

In Medieval period very few people lived here. The pilgrim visited here during pilgrimage session. Only few poets and sages lived here. It was surrounded by mango groves and shurbs of bamboo. Many temples were here during the eighth century. The floods in Ganges, earthquackes and iconoclasts demolished many of them.