Lakshman Jhula is a

suspension bridge A suspension bridge is a type of bridge in which the deck (bridge), deck is hung below suspension wire rope, cables on vertical suspenders. The first modern examples of this type of bridge were built in the early 1800s. Simple suspension bridg ...

across the river Ganges.

Geography

It is located north-east of the city of

Rishikesh Rishikesh, also spelt as Hrishikesh, is a city near Dehradun in Dehradun district of the Indian state Uttarakhand. It is situated on the right bank of the Ganges River and is a pilgrimage town for Hindus, with ancient sages and saints meditati ...

in the Indian state of Uttarakhand. The bridge connects the villages of Tapovan to Jonk. Tapovan is in Tehri Garhwal district, on the west bank of the river, while Jonk is in Pauri Garhwal district, on the east bank. Lakshman Jhula is a pedestrian bridge also used by motorbikes. It is located on the outskirts of the city. It is a landmark of Rishikesh. A larger bridge downstream from Lakshman Jhula is Ram Jhula.

History

As of November 5, 2020, this bridge is restricted to pedestrian access and is set to be closed permanently when a replacement is built parallel to it. Barriers on both sides prevent vehicular traffic including motorcycles and scooters. It is said that the Hindu deity Lakshmana crossed the Ganges on jute ropes where the bridge is found. Lakshman Jhula was completed in 1929. Two plaques exist at the foot of the west side of the bridge. The first plaque reads: The second plaque reads:

Gallery

File:Laxmanjhula.jpg, A view of the bridge. File:Rishikesh view across bridge.jpg File:Sunset - Lakshman Jhula.jpg File:CZTC6561.jpg, the bridge and area before major commercial development

References

Tourism in Uttarakhand Bridges over the Ganges Bridges completed in 1939 Bridges in Uttarakhand Tehri Garhwal district Suspension bridges Rishikesh Transport in Rishikesh 20th-century architecture in India {{India-bridge-struct-stub