Janaki Jhula, also known as Janaki Setu, is a suspension bridge spanning over the sacred River Ganga in Rishikesh. This is the most iconic bridge that provides panoramic views of the River Ganga, the surrounding snow-capped Himalayan ranges, ashramas, and temples.
This three-lane bridge, located in Muni Ki Reti, Rishikesh, Uttarakhand, Bharat, is Rishikesh’s popular destination, attracting residents, pilgrims, and spiritual seekers alike.
This is the latest and third bridge in Rishikesh, after Ram Jhula and Lakshman Jhula, connecting Muni Ki Reti with Swarg Ashram and the Beatles Ashram area on the other side of the river. Crossing over this bridge helps the devotees trek to Neelkanth Mahadeva temple, the sacred site where Bhagavan Mahadev consumed poison halahala during the churning of the amrita.
The bridge is named after Sita Mata; it is constructed at the exact spot where Sita Mata crossed the river along with Sri Rama and Lakshmana during the Ramayana.
This three-lane Janaki Jhula measures 346 meters in length. The central lane of the Janaki Jhula is reserved for pedestrian purposes, while the outer two lanes provide the path for two-wheelers.
Janaki Jhula Officially Opens for Public Access
Janaki Jhula was officially inaugurated by the then Chief Minister of Uttarakhand, Trivendra Singh Rawat, in November 2020 and made accessible to the public for both pedestrian and two-wheeler purposes. The construction of the bridge began in March 2013 and was completed in November 2020, connecting the Tehri and Pauri districts.
It was built to improve cross-river connectivity and reduce congestion on the narrower Ram Jhula and Lakshman Jhula.
Architecture of Janki Jhula
Janki Jhula is a modern steel suspension bridge built over the Ganges in Rishikesh, connecting two districts and helping pilgrims to cross over the river. Its architecture is a visually simple structure, highly pilgrimage-oriented, connecting temples and ashramas, offering meditative and peaceful ambience to the spiritual seekers.
Janki Jhula is supported by high-strength, heavy-duty spiral stranded cables. These steel heavy-duty wire ropes carry the deck through tension. These vertical suspenders across the bridge connect the deck to the main cables.
Janki Jhula approximately measures 274 m long for the central span and 346 m long overall. While the deck measures approximately 3.9 to 4 m wide, making it most suitable for pedestrians and light movement rather than conventional vehicular traffic.
Compared with a conventional beam or truss bridge, the curved cables and slim deck make the bridge look lighter and have an open appearance.
Best Time to Visit
Though Rishikesh can be visited throughout the year, the best time to visit is from September to November and February to May.
To experience the pleasant and chilling experience, take a walk across the bridge during sunrise, in the late afternoon, or at sunset, when the weather is cooler and you experience the beautiful sun rays.
Nearby Places to Visit
On the way to Janaki Jhula, many other places can also be visited.
Ram Jhula: It is a famous 230-meter-long iron suspension bridge built over the Ganges connecting Sivananda Nagar to Swargashram.
Parmarth Niketan Ashram: It is the most significant ashrama in Rishikesh, well known for yoga, meditation, daily satsang, kirtan, and other spiritual activities, and its riverside setting. This ashram is a prominent spot for the evening Ganga Aarti.
Triveni Ghat: It is the biggest ghat on the banks of the River Ganga in Rishikesh, known for performing daily evening Ganga aarti, the last rites of ancestors. It is located at the confluence of three rivers: the Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati.
Swarg Ashram: It is built in memory of Swami Vishudhananda, located between Ram Jhula and Lakshman Jhula.
Beatles Ashram: It is also known as Chaurasi Kutia, Maharishi Mahesh Yogi Ashram, located amidst the peaceful forest in Rishikesh. It is called Beatles Ashram because the famous brand Beatles had practiced meditation in this ashrama.
How to Reach Janaki Jhula
To visit Janaki Jhula in Rishikesh, a renowned destination of immense spiritual significance, Join Tirtha Yatra’s Char Dham Yatra.
By Air: The nearest airport is Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun, located 20 km away from the bridge. From here, you can either board bus or hire taxi to reach Rishikesh.
By Train: The nearest railway station is Rishikesh Railway Station, located 3 to 5 km away from the bridge. From here, there are many modes of transportation, like autorickshaws, e-rickshaws, or cabs, available to reach the bridge.
By Road: The bridge is located 2 km away from the Rishikesh bus stand. It is directly accessible by National Highways NH-7 and NH-58.
On Foot: One can easily reach Janaki Jhula from Triveni Ghat via a short walk from the nearby local markets.
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