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Rishikesh is a city in Indias northern state of Uttarakhand, in the Himalayan foothills beside the Ganges River. The river is considered holy, and the city is renowned as a center for studying yoga and meditation. Temples and ashrams (centers for spiritual studies) line the eastern bank around Swarg Ashram, a traffic-free, alcohol-free and vegetarian enclave upstream from Rishikesh town. In September 2015, the Union tourism ministerMahesh Sharmaannounced that Rishikesh and Haridwar will be the first in India to be given the title of "twin national heritage cities".Due to the religious significance of the place, non-vegetarian food and alcohol are strictly prohibited in Rishikesh. The city hosts the annual International Yoga Festival. Rishikesh has been a part of the legendary 'Kedarkhand'Legends state that LordRamadid penance here for killingRavana, theasuraking ofLanka; andLakshmana, his younger brother, crossed the riverGanges, at a point, where the present 'Lakshman Jhula'bridge stands today, using a jute rope bridge.[14]The 'Kedarkhand' ofSkanda Purana, also mentions the existence of Indrakund at this very point. The jute-rope bridge was replaced by iron-ropesuspension bridgein 1889. After it was washed away in the 1924 floods, it was replaced by the present stronger bridge. Another similar suspension bridgeRam Jhulawas built in 1986 at nearby Sivananda Nagar. TheGanges, one of the most sacred rivers toHindus,flows through Rishikesh. Here the river leaves theShivalik Hillsin theHimalayasand flows into the plains of northern India. Severaltemples, ancient and new, are along the banks of the Ganges in Rishikesh.Shatrughna Mandir, Bharat Mandir, Lakshman Mandir are the ancient temples established byAdi Shankaracharya. Shatrughna Temple is nearRam Jhulaand Lakshman Mandir is near Lakshman Jhula.